Researchers warn of declining access to safe and reliable water in the US, urging better tracking tools and policy reforms. A new tool, Household Water Insecurity Experiences (HWISE), measures water insecurity in over 1,000 households across the country.
A new study by York University researchers found that a machine learning-enabled tool, Safe Water Optimization Tool (SWOT), can deliver safe drinking water at nearly three times the rate as compared to standard practices. The SWOT has been shown to achieve safe water for 90% of households in humanitarian response settings.
An international team investigated MXene with confined water and ions, discovering a reversible transition from metallic to semiconducting behavior of the film. The intercalated water structure drives this change, which could lead to novel devices or sensors.
A new Virginia Tech study reveals that toxic well water primarily affects household pets, with 64% of dog drinking water samples containing high levels of potentially toxic heavy metals. Researchers found a correlation between untreated well water and poor health in dogs, highlighting the need for households to test and treat their water.
A research team in China proposed an assessment framework that integrates water quality and ecological indicators to shape a clinical diagnosis paradigm. The framework enhances the ability of evaluating water ecological health by incorporating assessments of trophic status, water clarity, and ecosystem resilience.
The ReSURF sensor can detect various pollutants, such as oils and fluorinated compounds, in water droplets using its unique self-powered and self-healing properties. It offers a sustainable solution for real-time water quality monitoring with capabilities to be applied in soft robotics and wearable electronics.
Researchers from the University of Tokyo used ocean model simulations to investigate the long-term tritium distribution after Fukushima's treated water release. The study found that tritium concentrations remain very low, with no significant impact on ocean levels.
Researchers discovered that sunlight's oscillating electric field plays a crucial role in enhancing interfacial water evaporation. The stronger the electric field, the faster water evaporates. This finding has implications for engineering more efficient water-evaporation technologies.
A new study found that providing households with simple, low-cost information about their drinking water quality increased the use of safe water practices by 26-48% in areas where many families rely on unsafe supplies. This approach has the potential to save lives at a lower cost than other public health programs.
A study of 100,000 water samples from 500 river basins found elevated levels of contaminants like organic carbon, phosphorus, nitrogen, and sediment persisting for years after wildfires. Water managers can use this data to inform planning strategies for increasing wildfire resilience.
Researchers have developed a novel nanomaterial that can hold over three times its weight in water and achieve this far quicker than existing commercial technologies. The material's unique synergy between calcium and oxygen facilitates extraordinary adsorption of water, enabling the efficient harvesting of clean drinking water from air.
The article discusses how emerging contaminants like agricultural pesticides and medicines are impacting water quality in developing countries. The presence of these pollutants is linked to toxic effects on humans and ecosystems, with many being undetected or under-regulated.
A UC Riverside-led study found that a smartphone app tracking household water use reduced average daily consumption by 6%, with greater savings among high-volume users. The app provides real-time feedback and behavioral nudges to encourage water-saving actions, resulting in sustained reductions even six months later.
Researchers Mohammad Afzal Shadab and Eric Hiatt developed a computer model that calculates the time it took for water on early Mars to percolate from the surface down to the aquifer, finding a 50-200 year timeframe. This process could have covered Mars with at least 300 feet of water.
Researchers at Rice University have created a scalable, low-maintenance desalination system that harnesses sunlight and recycles heat for a steady supply of fresh drinking water. The new technology, STREED, can handle high-salinity brines without significant decreases in water production or quality.
A new study from North Carolina State University researchers finds that conversion of forests to urban development or agriculture near streams can have harmful effects on water quality downstream. The study suggests that more attention should be paid to where development might have serious effects on water quality for people living nea...
A new study from UMass Amherst found significant variability between at-home water testing kit abilities to detect contaminants. Single-parameter tests generally had more accurate results than multi-parameter ones, but users should interpret the results with skepticism, especially if testing for high levels of metals.
A study published in Water & Ecology evaluates international practices in water ecological assessment, highlighting its importance for aquatic ecosystems and human activities. The assessment's core indicators and methodologies should retain commonality and uniformity to influence strategies for protection and conservation.
Modelling analysis reveals sediment levels and nitrogen concentrations will increase with development and forest conversion upstream. The study forecasts water quality degradation at drinking water intakes across the regional watershed.
Research finds that pyrope garnet can retain up to 0.2 wt.% water, potentially dominating water transport via basaltic slabs into the lower mantle. The study also reveals strong pressure-temperature dependence of water solubility in pyrope garnet.
The Rice WaTER Institute is advancing water innovation by fostering entrepreneurship, cross-sector collaboration and access to markets. Researchers and startups are working together to tackle pressing challenges like PFAS elimination and the water-energy nexus.
Researchers warn that wildfires can contaminate drinking water distribution systems, posing substantial public health risks. Over 50 volatile organic compounds have been detected in water distribution systems after wildfires, including carcinogens such as benzene.
A study mapped US counties with high rates of water system violations and inequalities in access to safe drinking water. Counties in West Virginia, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania ranked among the top 10 for violations, while Mississippi, South Dakota, and Texas topped the list for water injustice.
A study by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin and collaborators in Arizona and Colorado found notable groundwater gains in Central Arizona despite long-term water stress. The policies have helped bank over 25 cubic kilometers of groundwater from 1989-2019, but the Colorado River faces uncertain future due to climate change.
Researchers have developed a new AI tool that uses sensors and real-time data to predict water quality across the US. This tool can be applied nationwide, benefiting communities by providing water quality forecasts, streamlining operations, and informing strategies for managing turbidity in basins worldwide.
Researchers from Tohoku University have improved a Mars climate model to account for the planet's non-uniform regolith properties. The enhanced model shows that highly absorptive regolith in mid- and low latitudes retains substantial amounts of absorbed water, which remains on the surface as stable adsorbed water.
Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a new membrane that allows water to flow eight times faster while maintaining high salt rejection rates. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and cost-effective desalination systems, lowering costs and increasing access to clean water.
Researchers found that fog water can be harvested in the Atacama Desert to ease water scarcity affecting vulnerable populations. The collected water can be used for drinking, irrigation, and local food production, with potential yields of up to 300,000 liters per week.
The study reveals the existence of valley vortex states within water wave crystals, introducing a new degree of freedom for water wave manipulation. These states have significant implications for ocean energy extraction, marine engineering, and coastal infrastructures.
Researchers developed an innovative method for analyzing water alkalinity using low-cost commercial reagents, machine learning, and smartphone technology. The technique offers accurate measurements across diverse water matrices with impressive R² values, making it a game-changer for water quality testing and monitoring.
A survey conducted by Professor Takahiro Endo at Osaka Metropolitan University found that Hiroshima Prefecture provided a free water inspection service for well owners after the 2018 floods, promoting their initiative to open inspected wells to the public. This collaborative effort supplemented local governments' emergency water supply...
A new publication provides comprehensive guidance for public drinking water system staff on responding to wildfire damage, outlining key findings from previous disasters. The guidance aims to improve detection of chemical contamination, reduce customer notification delays, and restore safe drinking water delivery quickly.
A Chapman University-led study estimates that plants store about 786 km³ of water, which takes just five days to flow through them. This rapid transit time is significantly faster than other parts of the global water cycle.
A new report assesses water resources in the southern US states, finding that forestry best management practices can mitigate climate and land use effects on water quality. The study projects future scenarios of water stress due to extreme precipitation events, emphasizing the importance of adaptive management.
A NASA-led team found that cometary dust affects interpretation of spacecraft measurements, reopening the case for comets like 67P as potential sources of water for early Earth. Researchers discovered a similar molecular signature between comet 67P's water and Earth's oceans.
A new seven-point strategy devised by international experts outlines steps for safe, equitable, and sustainable global water management. The plan emphasizes local collaboration, community engagement, and inclusive policies to foster peace and security.
Agricultural water scarcity in China worsens due to climate change, with AWSI increasing during droughts and hot years. Regional scale effects are crucial for forecasting water scarcity, suggesting the need for finer spatial scales in water management strategies.
Researchers have developed a liquid moisture adsorbent that can efficiently harvest water from the air at near ambient temperatures. The technology, which uses random copolymers of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol, has the potential to provide clean drinking water in arid regions and during disasters.
A new study proposes a solution to water scarcity during droughts by coordinating agricultural-to-urban leasing during dry periods and urban-to-agricultural leasing during wet periods. This arrangement benefits both urban and agricultural water users, reducing financial impacts.
A new analysis reveals that zero liquid discharge (ZLD) technologies can increase water recovery from desalination while reducing waste, but at increased costs and energy consumption. The process poses tradeoffs between fighting future water scarcity and environmental effects.
Researchers developed a machine learning framework that predicts inorganic pollutants in groundwater based on limited water quality samples. The model suggests 15% to 55% of sites may truly be risk-free, identifying critical gaps in groundwater quality datasets.
A new study reveals that human waste, both treated and untreated, is responsible for the microbial impairment in Delaware's inland waterways. The researchers found a majority of microbial signatures in the water matched a human waste signature, indicating infrastructure issues with septic systems may be to blame.
A study by Aliza Fleischer, Yadin Gindin, and Yacov Tsur from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem introduces a new model that integrates recreational freshwater ecosystem services into water allocation decisions. The researchers found that increasing demand for these services leads to significant changes in water diversion, with a 24% r...
DRI is recruiting Fallon community members with private wells to participate in a study examining the prevalence of emerging contaminants, including pesticides, microplastics, and flame retardants. Participants will receive free water quality results and potentially be fitted with a water filtration system.
A UTEP student has developed an innovative method to desalinate water, which converts over 90% of salt water to fresh water. The new technique, called salt-free electrodialysis metathesis, uses ion exchange membranes and electrical currents to separate salt from water.
Researchers develop innovative technology to capture large amounts of water from the air in low humidities, addressing water scarcity in drought-stressed Southwest. The device can generate up to three times more water than existing approaches, with potential for solar power and commercial use.
A new study discovered toxic 'Forever Chemicals' in tap and bottled water from around the world, with 99% of samples containing PFOA and PFOS. Treatment methods such as boiling and activated carbon filtration can substantially reduce PFAS concentrations, with removal rates ranging from 50-90%.
A new policy brief argues that citizen scientists are crucial for meeting global water quality targets, providing valuable data and community involvement. Successful case studies show how collaboration with locals can improve water quality monitoring, education, and rapid response.
A global study reveals that women's environmental quality of life explains a substantial 46% of their overall health and well-being. The study found that younger women report poorer environmental quality of life, while older women experience improved quality of life after age 45.
Researchers at KIST developed an aquifer storage technique to improve stable water storage, reducing organic matter concentrations and microbiome changes. The study found that a simple physical sedimentation process maintained stable water quality for a year without pore clogging.
A researcher at UTA is developing a tracer tool to help water suppliers ensure safe and reliable drinking water during extreme weather events. The tool will enable better management of drinking water in Tarrant County, addressing concerns about water flow and distribution.
Researchers developed an AI model to accurately predict ion concentrations in water during electrochemical treatment processes. The model has the advantage of being economically superior to complex deep learning models, requiring less computing resources to train.
Researchers have designed an energy-efficient device to produce drinking water from seawater using solar power, addressing the critical need for clean water in coastal nations. The new technology can continuously desalinate water without major maintenance, producing up to 20 litres of fresh water per square meter.
A study of bottled, tap, and household-treated water in the San Francisco Bay Area found potential health risks from trihalomethanes in all sampled sources. The researchers analyzed various types of drinking water, including samples collected directly from households, to determine their chemical compositions.
A new study reveals that risks to global water security are significantly higher when considering the environmental conditions and governability of areas where moisture evaporates before falling as rain. This approach identifies regions with high water scarcity risk, including those dependent on neighboring countries for upwind moisture.
Closing Colorado's 'free river conditions' loophole could save millions of cubic meters of water and reduce stress in the region. The loophole allows anyone to take as much water as they want from the river, threatening the success of any payment program for farmers not irrigating their land.
A global study found that over half of adults expect to be seriously harmed by their water within two years due to low confidence in water quality. The study highlights the need for both safe drinking water and public trust in water sources.
A new strategy for massive water production on the Moon has been proposed by Chinese researchers, utilizing reaction between lunar regolith and endogenous hydrogen. The study reveals that one ton of lunar regolith can generate over 50 kg of water, enough for 50 people for a day.
Major US water reservoirs are experiencing longer and more severe periods of low storage, threatening critical water supplies. The study found that reservoirs in the western and central United States were most affected, with many seeing significant declines in maximum water storage.
A new geospatial analysis reveals that only one-third of the world's population in low- and middle-income countries has access to safe drinking water, with fecal contamination affecting almost half. The study emphasizes the need for improved water quality monitoring and infrastructure investments to address this critical human right.