News and Events
Water Quality Association – Convention is Canceled
Due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19), the 2020 WQA Convention & Expo has been canceled. Find out more about this year’s canceled convention by visiting this year’s FAQ page. But this isn’t the end of the conversation! Check out the great content throughout WQA’s site and get answers to Frequently Asked Questions about water quality issues,…
Read More3M and Toxic Water: Woodbury Continues It’s Fight against Toxins
3M’s Impact on Twin Cities Water Supplies Continues to be Felt On February 3rd of 2020, a 7th well in Woodbury, MN was shut down due to the presence of PFAS (an abbreviated version of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in the water. Decades ago, 3M dumped materials that contained these PFAS chemicals into city waste…
Read More3M and Toxic Water: The High Price of Innovation
The Fallout of Forever Chemicals in Woodbury Minnesota In the early 2000’s, 3M stopped production of PFAS chemicals, also known as “Forever Chemicals.” These toxins, used by 3M since the early 1950’s, were manufactured for products such as stain repellents and nonstick cookware. They are durable and useful for a variety of purposes. They also…
Read MoreForever Chemicals – They’re Everywhere and They’re Not Going Away
Advancements in technology and manufacturing are not without their ripple effects throughout our world. Manmade chemicals, known as “forever chemicals,” have come out of the innovations of manufacturing. These chemicals are technically known as perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). They have a bio-engineered chemical structure that resists breaking down in the environment. Forever chemicals don’t go away.…
Read MoreWinter, Road Salt & Your Water: The Truth About the Salt from Our Streets
Winter time in northern states can be brutal on our cars, our energy bills, and on our psyche. Seasonal Affective Disorder (appropriately called SAD), according to Mayo Clinic, happens for most people from late fall and through the winter months, with short days, cold temperatures, and gray skies. Energy bills can double and sometimes even…
Read MoreLead In the Water
Testing in White Bear Lake shows lead in homes built before 1986. WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN – The city of White Bear Lake, in the northeast metro of the Twin Cities, regularly conducts tests of tap water in homes around the city. In recent tests, 4 out of 30 homes tested positive for elevated levels of…
Read MoreToxins in Water Aren’t Always Monitored by the EPA
Legislators have begun targeting corporations more aggressively for their roles in the manufacturing of “forever chemicals” such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. As this targeting has increased, companies like 3M and Dupont have begun to pour millions of dollars into protecting their processes and their production from litigation and restriction. Both have been…
Read MoreA Gallon of Water a Day: A Challenge To Consider!
How Much Water Should I Be Drinking? There are many different theories out there. For years, you heard “8 glasses a day” was the standard for water intake. Then, a few years ago, people in lab coats on TV started saying that 8 was an arbitrary number. No amount of reading or research will get…
Read MoreToxic Water Plagues an Already Devastated California Town
After massive flames were controlled and smoke cleared, the true impact of last November’s Camp Fire, centered in Paradise, California was beginning to be uncovered. More than 150,000 acres and almost 19,000 structures destroyed. At least 85 lives lost. It’s devastation to the region goes beyond what anyone could have predicted and its long-term effects…
Read MoreRadium in Spring Lake Park
Risks in the Water for Spring Lake Park Residents of Spring Lake Park, MN should have their water tested for excess amounts of radium. Radium occurs naturally from runoff, soil, rock, and groundwater sources. When ingested, 80% of it is naturally expelled through digestion, while the remainder remains in the body. Last summer, the Department…
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