The following is a transcript of the Apr. 16, 2012, edition of the WaterWorld Weekly Newscast.
Hi, I'm Angela Godwin, digital media editor for WaterWorld magazine, bringing you this week's water and wastewater news headlines. Coming up...
• Virginia water system on the market
• Malibu to implement stormwater controls under settlement
• New CAFO permit to protect Idaho waterways
• Researchers study effect of BP oil spill on enviro views in Gulf
[story1]
The City of Falls Church, Virginia, has put its water system up for sale. The city issued an Invitation to Bid last week, with bidding starting at $44 million dollars.
The city said the decision to sell the water system came after Fairfax County, in December, assumed the authority to set rates for all County citizens -- even those being served by a municipal water system.
Falls Church city officials said the situation has made it risky for them to continue to provide water service.
[story2]
The Malibu City Council has reached an agreement settling a 2008 Clean Water Act lawsuit brought by environmental groups Santa Monica Baykeeper and the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Under the settlement, Malibu will implement a number of mechanisms to help manage stormwater runoff, the number one source of water pollution at southern California beaches.
Rainwater harvesting, infiltration and treatment devices are among some of the strategies that will be used. The work is expected to cost around $5.6 million.
[story3]
A new general permit for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations -- or CAFOs -- in Idaho will help protect rivers, lakes and streams from animal waste, according to the EPA.
The permit applies to any animal feeding operation that either meets the EPA definition of a CAFO, or is designated a CAFO by EPA; and any CAFO that discharges to surface water from where animals are confined or manure and wastewater is spread.
The new permit becomes effective May 9. CAFO's will have 90 days from that date to submit their plans for review and obtain coverage.
[story4]
A University of New Hampshire study of more than 2,000 Gulf Coast residents reveals that the Deepwater Horizon oil spill has had a significant impact on residents' views about the environment and wildlife.
Researchers found that about a quarter of the respondents report changing their views. Of those directly affected economically, around 35% have changed their views.
Researchers said respondents "expressed greater concern about sea level rise due to climate change, more support for a moratorium on deepwater drilling, and were more likely to favor alternative energy rather than increased oil exploration."
You can read more about their findings in Social Science Quarterly in their article "In the Wake of the Spill: Environmental Views Along the Gulf Coast."
For WaterWorld magazine, I'm Angela Godwin. Thanks for watching.
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