Whole effluent toxicity (WET) testing has evolved into a critical element of many National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued to both industrial and municipal dischargers. More than 6,500 dischargers to both fresh and salt waters are required to conduct toxicity tests to determine if their effluent might be potentially toxic to organisms in the receiving system.
- By David Pillard, J. Russell Hockett
This article originally appeared in the 07/01/2002 issue of Environmental Protection.
The recent history of the total maximum daily load (TMDL) program is now well known, as is the debate it is has engendered.
- By Leonard Shabman, PhD., Kenneth Reckhow, PhD.
This article originally appeared in the 05/01/2002 issue of Environmental Protection.
The most commonly used methods for water treatment have been around for more than a century and rely on large basins to accommodate the processes of sedimentation, sand filtration and the addition of chemicals. These methods often do not address the current pressures placed on water resources, falling short of stringent new drinking water regulations.
This article originally appeared in the 05/01/2002 issue of Environmental Protection.
The safety of the nation's water is protected by a cooperative relationship between governments at every level and water producers and purveyors. The U.S. Congress makes national water policy and has authorized the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement this policy by means of the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, as it is periodically re-authorized and amended.
This article originally appeared in the 05/01/2002 issue of Environmental Protection.