WaterWorld Newscast - Dec. 16, 2019

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act last week, a bill that included language aimed at limiting the release of PFAS chemicals that could threaten water supplies.

Provisions in the bill include phasing out the military’s use of PFAS in firefighting foam by 2024 and in military food packaging by 2021. The bill would also expand reporting of PFAS discharges through the Toxic Release Inventory and expand monitoring for PFAS in tap water and groundwater.

The legislation did not include any language establishing federal drinking water standards for PFAS chemicals, nor does it designate PFAS as a hazardous substance under the federal Superfund law.

Environmental groups expressed disappointment with the final language, which they believe falls short in protecting the public from these forever chemicals.

But the National Association of Clean Water Agencies commended House and Senate negotiators, saying in a press release that the deal "does not open America’s public clean water utilities to Superfund liability, which could have placed the cleanup burden on local communities and water customers rather than those who produced and profited from PFAS compounds."

The bill now heads to the Senate for a vote.

A piece of the 19-ton fatberg removed from Macomb County sewers last September is now on display at the Michigan Science Center in an exhibit designed to teach children and their families about the dangers of putting fats, oils, grease and other non-flushable items down their drains.

The exhibit also includes video from the removal of the massive blockage -- which was 100 feet long, 11 feet wide and six feet high.

The exhibit is expected to be on display for the next 4 to 6 months.

Chemical giant DuPont announced last week that it is acquiring Desalitech, providers of closed circuit reverse osmosis technology.

In a statement, DuPont said adding Desalitech to its portfolio presents "a compelling offering to further reduce the lifecycle cost of water purification and reuse."

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

In international news, police in New South Wales, Australia, are investigating the theft of more than 6,500 gallons of drinking water from a council facility in the town of Murwillimbah.

The thieves allegedly used a water tanker to make off with the water -- enough to fill seven fire trucks.

Officials were shocked that someone would steal water in a time of hardship and are asking the public for any information that may help identify the perpetrators.

Australia is in the midst of a severe drought and wildfire epidemic. November saw the lowest rainfall amounts on record and dry conditions are expected to continue.

For WaterWorld magazine, I'm Angela Godwin. Thanks for watching.