Federal officials have given energy and mining companies permission to pollute aquifers in more than 1,500 places across the country, releasing toxic material into underground reservoirs that help supply more than half of the nation's drinking water.
In many cases, the Environmental Protection Agency has granted these so-called aquifer exemptions in Western states now stricken by drought and increasingly desperate for water.
EPA records show that portions of at least 100 drinking water aquifers have been written off because exemptions have allowed them to be used as dumping grounds.
"You are sacrificing these aquifers," said Mark Williams, a hydrologist at the University of Colorado and a member of a National Science Foundation team studying the effects of energy development on the environment. "By definition, you are putting pollution into them. ... If you are looking 50 to 100 years down the road, this is not a good way to go."
As part of an investigation into the threat to water supplies from underground injection of waste, ProPublica set out to identify which aquifers have been polluted.
More
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
2 comments:
As a strong "right winger" I feel that we as citizens are entitled to only the confidence that we know our water supply, air, and soil are safe and not polluted by industry who put profits in front of environmentally safe practices.
It is one of the few things that is out of our own control.
The problem I have w/the EPA is that they are nothing more than a prop for big business who due to anti trust laws needed an angle to run out small business so they could create monopolies consisting of only big corps.
It is big business who lobby for tighter restrictions and higher fees because they can afford it.
Blame it on Bush and the Hudson Farm in Wor. Co.
Post a Comment