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Wastewater

New research discovers high levels of caffeine in surprising areas of ocean, rivers

Environment

A group of scientists in the Pacific Northwest have been looking into where caffeine accumulates in our national water system. They found it not in areas of high population, but in areas with low population, where septic systems are the primary means of waste disposal.

Experts tangle over whether fracking waste is making drinking water unsafe

Environment

Millions sick due to lack of clean water in Pakistan

Health & Medicine

Pharmaceutical flushing

Environment
The World

Microbes Transform Wastewater to Energy

The World

Recycling Sewage in Brazil

Living on Earth’s Peter Thomson reports on a pilot low-tech sewage treatment project in rural Brazil. The facility will use water hyacinths and other plants to clean nutrients out of wastewater, and local farmers will then use the plants as compost and cattle feed.

The World

Cool Fix for a Hot Planet- NYC Blues

New York City is looking to use blue to get green. Mayor Bloomberg’s proposed plan relies on environmentally friendly green and blue roofs to prevent storm and wastewater from overflowing into the East and Hudson rivers.

The World

Cool Fix: Algae from Wastewater

Researchers see a possibility for clean energy in dirty water.

The World

Emerging Science Note/Hydrogen Power

Living on Earth’s Cynthia Graber reports on a technique to get hydrogen from wastewater at food production plants.

The World

From toilet to tap

Environment

Orange County, CA has opened what is likely the largest sewage purification plant for drinking water in the world. The community is on board, and the idea is already being copied elsewhere in the U.S. and abroad. Living on Earth’s Ingrid Lobet reports.