A distressing report on the state of the water supply infrastructure in Illinois reveals the need for better analysis and reporting of water quality.
Michael Hawthorne and Jennifer Smith Richards report on the results of a Chicago Tribune analysis of lead in drinking water around the state of Illinois. Using state data, the Tribune team identified 200 public water systems in the state, serving 800,000 people in total, with drinking water that exceeds federal standards for lead.
In the Chicago region, about a dozen water systems exceeded the EPA standard at least twice during the same time period, including Berwyn and Forest View in Cook County, York Township in DuPage County, Barrington and Volo in Lake County, and Marengo and Richmond in McHenry County.
According to the article, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials have specifically targeted the city of Galesburg, which has repeatedly failed lead standards, as an example of a need for many local governments to provide bottled water of filters.
Moreover:
Galesburg is the latest example of how the water crisis in Flint., Mich., is changing the rules. Criticized for responding too slowly in Flint, the EPA is pressuring states to test more frequently and widely for lead in tap water, dramatically expand consumer warnings and consider the costly, time-consuming process of removing lead service lines.
The article includes a lot more fine-grained details about the communities with sub-standard drinking water, as well as a description of some of the holes in treatment, analysis, and response to sub-standard drinking water systems.
FULL STORY: Water testing finds high lead levels in communities across Illinois
1,700 Flint Residents Sue U.S. EPA for $722 Million in Damages
Flint residents are suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for damages caused by exposure to lead in the city's drinking supply.
How the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Failed the People of Flint
While blame squarely lays with Michigan state officials, agencies, and possibly Gov. Rick Snyder himself, the EPA also played a role by both detecting the cause of the problem but not acting on the reports of improper treatment of river water.
Mississippi Investigated for Civil Rights Violations in Jackson Water Crisis
The NAACP has accused a pair of Mississippi departments of discrimination against Black Mississippians, leading to the loss of drinking water in the state's capital city at the end of the summer.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service