<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	
	xmlns:georss="http://www.georss.org/georss"
	xmlns:geo="http://www.w3.org/2003/01/geo/wgs84_pos#"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Odak</title>
	<atom:link href="https://odak.com/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>https://odak.com/</link>
	<description>Water Filtration Systems</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Fri, 08 Aug 2025 16:39:46 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en-US</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>
	hourly	</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>
	1	</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.4</generator>

<image>
	<url>https://odak.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/odak-o-glow-100x100.png</url>
	<title>Odak</title>
	<link>https://odak.com/</link>
	<width>32</width>
	<height>32</height>
</image> 
<site xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">180374287</site>	<item>
		<title>Crafting Captivating Headlines: Your awesome post title goes here</title>
		<link>https://odak.com/post-1/</link>
					<comments>https://odak.com/post-1/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[mikeg]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 08 Aug 2025 16:39:21 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://odak.com/post-1/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Engaging Introductions: Capturing Your Audience&#8217;s Interest The initial impression your blog post makes is crucial, and that&#8217;s where your introduction comes into play. Hook your readers with a captivating opening that sparks curiosity or emotion. Address their pain points or questions to establish a connection. Outline the purpose of your post and give a sneak&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://odak.com/post-1/">Crafting Captivating Headlines: Your awesome post title goes here</a> appeared first on <a href="https://odak.com">Odak</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Engaging Introductions: Capturing Your Audience&#8217;s Interest</h4><p style="margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)">The initial impression your blog post makes is crucial, and that&#8217;s where your introduction comes into play. Hook your readers with a captivating opening that sparks curiosity or emotion. Address their pain points or questions to establish a connection. Outline the purpose of your post and give a sneak peek into what they can expect. A well-crafted introduction sets the tone for an immersive reading experience.</p><h4 class="wp-block-heading">Crafting Informative and Cohesive Body Content</h4><p style="margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)">Within the body of your blog post lies the heart of your message. Break down your content into coherent sections, each with a clear heading that guides readers through the narrative. Dive deep into each subtopic, providing valuable insights, data, and relatable examples. Maintain a logical flow between paragraphs using transitions, ensuring that each point naturally progresses to the next. By structuring your body content effectively, you keep readers engaged and eager to learn more.</p><h4 class="wp-block-heading">Powerful Closures: Leaving a Lasting Impression</h4><p>Concluding your blog post isn&#8217;t just about wrapping things up – it&#8217;s your final opportunity to leave a strong impact. Summarize the key takeaways from your post, reinforcing your main points. If relevant, provide actionable solutions or thought-provoking questions to keep readers thinking beyond the post. Encourage engagement by inviting comments, questions, or sharing. A well-crafted conclusion should linger in your readers&#8217; minds, inspiring them to explore further or apply what they&#8217;ve learned.</p><p>The post <a href="https://odak.com/post-1/">Crafting Captivating Headlines: Your awesome post title goes here</a> appeared first on <a href="https://odak.com">Odak</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://odak.com/post-1/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1630</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Art of Drawing Readers In: Your attractive post title goes here</title>
		<link>https://odak.com/post-2/</link>
					<comments>https://odak.com/post-2/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[mikeg]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 08 Aug 2025 16:39:20 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://odak.com/post-2/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Engaging Introductions: Capturing Your Audience&#8217;s Interest The initial impression your blog post makes is crucial, and that&#8217;s where your introduction comes into play. Hook your readers with a captivating opening that sparks curiosity or emotion. Address their pain points or questions to establish a connection. Outline the purpose of your post and give a sneak&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://odak.com/post-2/">The Art of Drawing Readers In: Your attractive post title goes here</a> appeared first on <a href="https://odak.com">Odak</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Engaging Introductions: Capturing Your Audience&#8217;s Interest</h4><p style="margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)">The initial impression your blog post makes is crucial, and that&#8217;s where your introduction comes into play. Hook your readers with a captivating opening that sparks curiosity or emotion. Address their pain points or questions to establish a connection. Outline the purpose of your post and give a sneak peek into what they can expect. A well-crafted introduction sets the tone for an immersive reading experience.</p><h4 class="wp-block-heading">Crafting Informative and Cohesive Body Content</h4><p style="margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)">Within the body of your blog post lies the heart of your message. Break down your content into coherent sections, each with a clear heading that guides readers through the narrative. Dive deep into each subtopic, providing valuable insights, data, and relatable examples. Maintain a logical flow between paragraphs using transitions, ensuring that each point naturally progresses to the next. By structuring your body content effectively, you keep readers engaged and eager to learn more.</p><h4 class="wp-block-heading">Powerful Closures: Leaving a Lasting Impression</h4><p>Concluding your blog post isn&#8217;t just about wrapping things up – it&#8217;s your final opportunity to leave a strong impact. Summarize the key takeaways from your post, reinforcing your main points. If relevant, provide actionable solutions or thought-provoking questions to keep readers thinking beyond the post. Encourage engagement by inviting comments, questions, or sharing. A well-crafted conclusion should linger in your readers&#8217; minds, inspiring them to explore further or apply what they&#8217;ve learned.</p><p>The post <a href="https://odak.com/post-2/">The Art of Drawing Readers In: Your attractive post title goes here</a> appeared first on <a href="https://odak.com">Odak</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://odak.com/post-2/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1629</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Mastering the First Impression: Your intriguing post title goes here</title>
		<link>https://odak.com/post-3/</link>
					<comments>https://odak.com/post-3/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[mikeg]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 08 Aug 2025 16:39:18 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://odak.com/post-3/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Engaging Introductions: Capturing Your Audience&#8217;s Interest The initial impression your blog post makes is crucial, and that&#8217;s where your introduction comes into play. Hook your readers with a captivating opening that sparks curiosity or emotion. Address their pain points or questions to establish a connection. Outline the purpose of your post and give a sneak&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://odak.com/post-3/">Mastering the First Impression: Your intriguing post title goes here</a> appeared first on <a href="https://odak.com">Odak</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Engaging Introductions: Capturing Your Audience&#8217;s Interest</h4><p style="margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)">The initial impression your blog post makes is crucial, and that&#8217;s where your introduction comes into play. Hook your readers with a captivating opening that sparks curiosity or emotion. Address their pain points or questions to establish a connection. Outline the purpose of your post and give a sneak peek into what they can expect. A well-crafted introduction sets the tone for an immersive reading experience.</p><h4 class="wp-block-heading">Crafting Informative and Cohesive Body Content</h4><p style="margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)">Within the body of your blog post lies the heart of your message. Break down your content into coherent sections, each with a clear heading that guides readers through the narrative. Dive deep into each subtopic, providing valuable insights, data, and relatable examples. Maintain a logical flow between paragraphs using transitions, ensuring that each point naturally progresses to the next. By structuring your body content effectively, you keep readers engaged and eager to learn more.</p><h4 class="wp-block-heading">Powerful Closures: Leaving a Lasting Impression</h4><p>Concluding your blog post isn&#8217;t just about wrapping things up – it&#8217;s your final opportunity to leave a strong impact. Summarize the key takeaways from your post, reinforcing your main points. If relevant, provide actionable solutions or thought-provoking questions to keep readers thinking beyond the post. Encourage engagement by inviting comments, questions, or sharing. A well-crafted conclusion should linger in your readers&#8217; minds, inspiring them to explore further or apply what they&#8217;ve learned.</p><p>The post <a href="https://odak.com/post-3/">Mastering the First Impression: Your intriguing post title goes here</a> appeared first on <a href="https://odak.com">Odak</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://odak.com/post-3/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1628</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Wayne State &#038; Great Lakes Water Authority To Conduct Research On Converting River Water To Safe Drinking Water</title>
		<link>https://odak.com/wayne-state-and-great-lakes-water-authority-to-conduct-research-on-converting-river-water-to-safe-drinking-water/</link>
					<comments>https://odak.com/wayne-state-and-great-lakes-water-authority-to-conduct-research-on-converting-river-water-to-safe-drinking-water/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[mikeg]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 07 Jul 2022 16:22:18 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Drinking Water News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://odak.com/?p=1046</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Under a $584,114 contract, Wayne State University will conduct a collaborative research project with the Great Lakes Water Authority in Detroit, Michigan to find new ways to convert river water to safe drinking water. The facility was completely rebuilt in the 1990s and one of the most advanced water treatment plants in existence. The project&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://odak.com/wayne-state-and-great-lakes-water-authority-to-conduct-research-on-converting-river-water-to-safe-drinking-water/">Wayne State &#038; Great Lakes Water Authority To Conduct Research On Converting River Water To Safe Drinking Water</a> appeared first on <a href="https://odak.com">Odak</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Under a $584,114 contract, Wayne State University will conduct a collaborative research project with the Great Lakes Water Authority in Detroit, Michigan to find new ways to convert river water to safe drinking water. The facility was completely rebuilt in the 1990s and one of the most advanced water treatment plants in existence. The project will be based in the facility&#8217;s pilot plant that is a 12,000 to 1 scale model of their full-scale treatment system. This allows the facility to first operate, experiment, and evaluate changes in their pilot plant before making changes to their full-scale system. </p>
<p>The project aims to evaluate what happens when water is taken from the Detroit River and prepared for the community to drink. Researchers will be looking at how impurities such as PFAS compounds, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products are removed in various steps of the process to better understand how to handle new and emerging contamination threats. In addition, they are working to maximize economic benefits to the community, as well as include workforce training and job opportunities. </p>
<p>Sources:<br />
<a href="https://wdet.org/2022/07/06/project-aims-to-find-new-ways-to-convert-river-water-into-drinking-water-as-pollutants-evolve/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">https://wdet.org/2022/07/06/project-aims-to-find-new-ways-to-convert-river-water-into-drinking-water-as-pollutants-evolve/</a><br />
<a href="https://scienmag.com/wayne-state-and-great-lakes-water-authority-to-create-workforce-and-laboratory-center-of-the-future/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">https://scienmag.com/wayne-state-and-great-lakes-water-authority-to-create-workforce-and-laboratory-center-of-the-future/</a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://odak.com/wayne-state-and-great-lakes-water-authority-to-conduct-research-on-converting-river-water-to-safe-drinking-water/">Wayne State &#038; Great Lakes Water Authority To Conduct Research On Converting River Water To Safe Drinking Water</a> appeared first on <a href="https://odak.com">Odak</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://odak.com/wayne-state-and-great-lakes-water-authority-to-conduct-research-on-converting-river-water-to-safe-drinking-water/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1046</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>MIT Researchers Create Portable Desalination System for Safe Drinking Water</title>
		<link>https://odak.com/mit-researchers-create-portable-desalination-system-for-safe-drinking-water/</link>
					<comments>https://odak.com/mit-researchers-create-portable-desalination-system-for-safe-drinking-water/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[mikeg]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 May 2022 15:40:44 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Drinking Water News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://odak.com/?p=977</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Researchers at MIT have created a portable desalination system that can produce safe drinking water from seawater. The unit is the size of a suitcase and weighs around 20 lbs. Unlike other portable desalination units, it does not require any filters or high-pressure pumps. It requires less power than a cell-phone charger to operate and&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://odak.com/mit-researchers-create-portable-desalination-system-for-safe-drinking-water/">MIT Researchers Create Portable Desalination System for Safe Drinking Water</a> appeared first on <a href="https://odak.com">Odak</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Researchers at MIT have created a portable desalination system that can produce safe drinking water from seawater. The unit is the size of a suitcase and weighs around 20 lbs. Unlike other portable desalination units, it does not require any filters or high-pressure pumps. It requires less power than a cell-phone charger to operate and can even run on solar, making it ideal for remote locations.</p>
<p>The work is a 10-year culmination of research and development by Jongyoon Han and his group. Han is a professor of electrical engineering and computer science and of biological engineering, and a member of the Research Laboratory of Electronics (RLE).</p>
<p>Rather than using filters, the unit relies on a technique called ion concentration polarization (ICP). Han’s group pioneered the technique more than 10 years ago. The ICP process applies an electrical field to membranes placed above and below a channel of water. The membranes repel positively or negatively charged particles — including salt molecules, bacteria, and viruses — as they flow past. The charged particles are funneled into a second stream of water that is eventually discharged.</p>
<p>The process removes both dissolved and suspended solids, allowing clean water to pass through the channel. ICP does not always remove all the salts floating in the middle of the channel. An electrodialysis process is used to remove remaining salt ions.</p>
<p>The researchers hope to make the device more user-friendly and improve its energy efficiency and production rate through a startup to commercialize the technology.</p>
<p><strong>Sources: </strong><br />
<a href="https://news.mit.edu/2022/portable-desalination-drinking-water-0428" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://news.mit.edu/2022/portable-desalination-drinking-water-0428</a><br />
<a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.1c08466?ref=pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.1c08466?ref=pdf</a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://odak.com/mit-researchers-create-portable-desalination-system-for-safe-drinking-water/">MIT Researchers Create Portable Desalination System for Safe Drinking Water</a> appeared first on <a href="https://odak.com">Odak</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://odak.com/mit-researchers-create-portable-desalination-system-for-safe-drinking-water/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">977</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Recent Study Finds Uranium and Metal Concentration Levels Are Elevated In Semi-Urban Community Water Supplies</title>
		<link>https://odak.com/recent-study-finds-uranium-and-metal-concentration-levels-are-elevated-in-semi-urban-community-water-supplies/</link>
					<comments>https://odak.com/recent-study-finds-uranium-and-metal-concentration-levels-are-elevated-in-semi-urban-community-water-supplies/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[mikeg]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 07 Apr 2022 16:53:45 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Drinking Water News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[contamination]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hispanic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[uranium]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://odak.com/?p=955</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>A recent study on metal concentrations in U.S. community water systems and patterns of inequalities was conducted by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. The study found that metal concentrations were elevated in community water systems serving semi-urban, Hispanic communities independent of location or region, highlighting environmental justice concerns. These communities had&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://odak.com/recent-study-finds-uranium-and-metal-concentration-levels-are-elevated-in-semi-urban-community-water-supplies/">Recent Study Finds Uranium and Metal Concentration Levels Are Elevated In Semi-Urban Community Water Supplies</a> appeared first on <a href="https://odak.com">Odak</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A recent study on metal concentrations in U.S. community water systems and patterns of inequalities was conducted by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. The study found that metal concentrations were elevated in community water systems serving semi-urban, Hispanic communities independent of location or region, highlighting environmental justice concerns. These communities had the highest levels of uranium, selenium, barium, chromium, and arsenic concentrations. The full study is available in The Lancet Planetary Health: <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(22)00043-2/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(22)00043-2/fulltext</a></p>
<p>Uranium is an element that has no taste or smell and naturally present in bedrock in many places. Various studies have shown that drinking water with elevated levels of uranium can affect the kidneys over time. Uranium can decay into other radioactive substances, such as radium, which can cause cancer with extensive exposure over a long period of time (U.S. EPA, 2013).</p>
<p>According to the Argonne National Laboratory, uranium exposure can result in both chemical and radiological toxicity. The main chemical effect associated with exposure to uranium and its compounds is kidney toxicity. This toxicity can be caused by breathing air containing uranium dusts or by eating substances containing uranium, which then enters the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, the uranium compounds are filtered by the kidneys, where they can cause damage to the kidney cells. Very high uranium intakes (ranging from about 50 to 150 mg depending on the individual) can cause acute kidney failure and death. At lower intake levels (around 25 to 40 mg), damage can be detected by the presence of protein and dead cells in the urine, but there are no other symptoms. At lower intake levels, the kidney repairs itself over a period of several weeks after the uranium exposure has stopped.</p>
<p>The main radiation hazard from uranium occurs when uranium compounds are ingested or inhaled. However, workers in the vicinity of large quantities of uranium in storage or in a processing facility also are exposed to low levels of external radiation from uranium decay products. At the exposure levels typically associated with the handling and processing of uranium, the primary radiation health effect of concern is an increased probability of the exposed individual developing cancer during their lifetime. Cancer cases induced by radiation are generally indistinguishable from other &#8220;naturally occurring&#8221; cancers and occur years after the exposure takes place. The probability of developing a radiation-induced cancer increases with increasing uranium intakes.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="https://web.evs.anl.gov/uranium/guide/ucompound/health/index.cfm" rel="noopener" target="_blank">https://web.evs.anl.gov/uranium/guide/ucompound/health/index.cfm</a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://odak.com/recent-study-finds-uranium-and-metal-concentration-levels-are-elevated-in-semi-urban-community-water-supplies/">Recent Study Finds Uranium and Metal Concentration Levels Are Elevated In Semi-Urban Community Water Supplies</a> appeared first on <a href="https://odak.com">Odak</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://odak.com/recent-study-finds-uranium-and-metal-concentration-levels-are-elevated-in-semi-urban-community-water-supplies/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">955</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Proposed Legislation Sets 2025 Deadline for Philadelphia Schools to Provide Safe Drinking Water</title>
		<link>https://odak.com/proposed-legislation-sets-2025-deadline-for-philadelphia-schools-to-provide-safe-drinking-water/</link>
					<comments>https://odak.com/proposed-legislation-sets-2025-deadline-for-philadelphia-schools-to-provide-safe-drinking-water/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[mikeg]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 Mar 2022 17:09:31 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Drinking Water News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[contamination]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lead]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pennsylvania]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Philadelphia]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://odak.com/?p=929</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The School District of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is proposing legislation to provide access to safe drinking water. This comes after a report by PennEnvironment and PennPIRG released last month found that 60% of all water fountains or outlets across 65 Philadelphia public schools tested positive for lead. While some school district officials claim the report is&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://odak.com/proposed-legislation-sets-2025-deadline-for-philadelphia-schools-to-provide-safe-drinking-water/">Proposed Legislation Sets 2025 Deadline for Philadelphia Schools to Provide Safe Drinking Water</a> appeared first on <a href="https://odak.com">Odak</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The School District of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is proposing legislation to provide access to safe drinking water. This comes after a <a href="https://pennpirg.org/sites/pirg/files/reports/Lead%20in%20the%20Water.Feb2022.pdf">report by PennEnvironment and PennPIRG</a> released last month found that 60% of all water fountains or outlets across 65 Philadelphia public schools tested positive for lead. While some school district officials claim the report is misleading due to using a testing standard of 1 pbb, it is well regarded by health professionals that there is no safe level of lead.</p>
<p>While the school district has already installed more than 1,300 hydration stations since the 2016-2017 school year, the legislation would set a deadline for completion to meet the goal of 1 station per every 100 students. Currently, the district needs to install approximately 800 more systems.</p>
<p>The requirements under the proposed legislation include that they are made from lead-free materials, have a filter that meets NSF/ANSI standards for removal of lead and other contaminants, and have a filter change indicator. District officials say the hydration stations already installed meet these criteria.</p>
<p>The district invested an initial $1 million into the project in 2017 and received roughly $95,000 last year in a grant from the city’s health department. The district estimates installing the remaining 800 stations will cost an additional $1 million.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://odak.com/proposed-legislation-sets-2025-deadline-for-philadelphia-schools-to-provide-safe-drinking-water/">Proposed Legislation Sets 2025 Deadline for Philadelphia Schools to Provide Safe Drinking Water</a> appeared first on <a href="https://odak.com">Odak</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://odak.com/proposed-legislation-sets-2025-deadline-for-philadelphia-schools-to-provide-safe-drinking-water/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">929</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Study finds human-induced salinization is a major threat to freshwater ecosystems</title>
		<link>https://odak.com/study-finds-human-induced-salinization-is-a-major-threat-to-the-biodiversity-and-functioning-of-freshwater-ecosystems/</link>
					<comments>https://odak.com/study-finds-human-induced-salinization-is-a-major-threat-to-the-biodiversity-and-functioning-of-freshwater-ecosystems/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[mikeg]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 01 Mar 2022 17:09:01 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Drinking Water News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[contamination]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[de-icing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[salt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[zooplankton]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://odak.com/?p=917</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) found that human-induced salinization caused by the use of road deicing salts, agricultural practices, mining operations, and climate change is a major threat to the biodiversity and functioning of freshwater ecosystems. According to the study, current water guidelines do not protect&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://odak.com/study-finds-human-induced-salinization-is-a-major-threat-to-the-biodiversity-and-functioning-of-freshwater-ecosystems/">Study finds human-induced salinization is a major threat to freshwater ecosystems</a> appeared first on <a href="https://odak.com">Odak</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) found that human-induced salinization caused by the use of road deicing salts, agricultural practices, mining operations, and climate change is a major threat to the biodiversity and functioning of freshwater ecosystems. According to the study, current water guidelines do not protect freshwater ecosystems from salinization. <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2115033119" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2115033119</a></p>
<p>Results of the study indicated that salinization will cause substantial zooplankton mortality. The loss of zooplankton triggered a cascading effect causing an increase in phytoplankton biomass at 47% of study sites. Such changes in lake food webs could alter nutrient cycling and water clarity and trigger declines in fish production.</p>
<p>We depend on freshwater ecosystems for our drinking water. The Great Lakes on the Canada-U.S. border provide drinking water for more than 40 million Americans. According to William Hintz, an assistant professor in the University of Toledo’s Department of Environmental, who conducted the study, “Once salts get into our freshwater supplies, it is difficult or in some cases impossible to get salt out, and high salt concentrations can persist for decades.&#8221;</p>
<p>Hintz says, “Policymakers will need to craft environmental legislation that lowers the allowable chloride concentrations in many regions to protect freshwater ecosystems,” Hintz says. De-icing salts significantly reduce car accidents and injuries, so we can’t just give them up overnight. Hintz stresses that if we better understand the sources of salt contamination, we can, in turn, work to protect freshwater lakes from salinization. According to Hints, “This may require better environmental monitoring by scientists, and regulations aimed at reducing salt pollution from multiple human-caused sources.&#8221;</p>
<p>Additional source: <a href="https://www.inverse.com/science/america-road-salt-hurting-ecosystems-drinking-water" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.inverse.com/science/america-road-salt-hurting-ecosystems-drinking-water</a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://odak.com/study-finds-human-induced-salinization-is-a-major-threat-to-the-biodiversity-and-functioning-of-freshwater-ecosystems/">Study finds human-induced salinization is a major threat to freshwater ecosystems</a> appeared first on <a href="https://odak.com">Odak</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://odak.com/study-finds-human-induced-salinization-is-a-major-threat-to-the-biodiversity-and-functioning-of-freshwater-ecosystems/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">917</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Maine schools’ drinking water affected with high lead levels</title>
		<link>https://odak.com/maine-schools-drinking-water-affected-with-high-lead-levels/</link>
					<comments>https://odak.com/maine-schools-drinking-water-affected-with-high-lead-levels/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[mikeg]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2022 19:42:28 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Drinking Water News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[contamination]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lead]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[school]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://odak.com/?p=903</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>According to the Portland Press Herald, about one-third of the sites sampled so far in Maine’s statewide testing of school water exceed the acceptable limit for lead (https://www.pressherald.com/2022/02/15/about-a-third-of-sites-tested-in-maines-schools-exceed-limit-for-lead-in-water/). While there is no safe level of lead that can be consumed in the body, Maine set its acceptable limit for lead in drinking water at 4&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://odak.com/maine-schools-drinking-water-affected-with-high-lead-levels/">Maine schools’ drinking water affected with high lead levels</a> appeared first on <a href="https://odak.com">Odak</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>According to the Portland Press Herald, about one-third of the sites sampled so far in Maine’s statewide testing of school water exceed the acceptable limit for lead (<a href="https://www.pressherald.com/2022/02/15/about-a-third-of-sites-tested-in-maines-schools-exceed-limit-for-lead-in-water/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.pressherald.com/2022/02/15/about-a-third-of-sites-tested-in-maines-schools-exceed-limit-for-lead-in-water/</a>). While there is no safe level of lead that can be consumed in the body, Maine set its acceptable limit for lead in drinking water at 4 parts per billion, which is stricter than the federal standard of 15 ppb. The state passed a law requiring schools to test water for lead and is using a federal grant of around $1 million to pay for it. The program began on Oct. 1, 2021 and will run through May 31, 2022. School officials are required to publicly share the test results, which can be viewed here: <a href="https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/dwp/cet/documents/SchoolLeadResults.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/dwp/cet/documents/SchoolLeadResults.pdf</a></p>
<p>Results throughout schools vary widely, with much of the lead contamination being tied to old plumbing fixtures like sinks and water fountains. According to Amy Lachance, manager of the state’s drinking water program, there is no money in the state&#8217;s budget to fix the high lead level problems, only identify them. Fountains with high lead levels have been decommissioned until the lead levels can be remediated and retested.</p>
<p>According to the CDC, exposure to lead can seriously harm a child’s health, including</p>
<ul>
<li>Damage to the brain and nervous system</li>
<li>Slowed growth and development</li>
<li>Learning and behavior problems</li>
<li>Hearing and speech problems</li>
</ul>
<p>If you think your child has been in contact with lead, contact your child’s healthcare provider. He or she can help you decide whether to have your child tested. A <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/prevention/blood-lead-levels.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">blood lead test</a> is the easiest way to find out if your child has been exposed to lead. Most children with lead in their blood have no symptoms.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://odak.com/maine-schools-drinking-water-affected-with-high-lead-levels/">Maine schools’ drinking water affected with high lead levels</a> appeared first on <a href="https://odak.com">Odak</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://odak.com/maine-schools-drinking-water-affected-with-high-lead-levels/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">903</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Private Wells in Minnesota Contaminated with 1,4-Dioxane</title>
		<link>https://odak.com/private-wells-in-minnesota-contaminated-with-14-dioxane/</link>
					<comments>https://odak.com/private-wells-in-minnesota-contaminated-with-14-dioxane/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[mikeg]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 Feb 2022 17:21:07 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Drinking Water News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[contamination]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dioxane]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Minnesota]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://odak.com/?p=888</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>According to the StarTribune, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is recommending that a portion of an Andover, Minnesota neighborhood be connected to the city&#8217;s municipal water system after 40 homes with private wells were found to be contaminated with high levels of the cancer-causing chemical 1,4-dioxane. The homes are located near the now defunct&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://odak.com/private-wells-in-minnesota-contaminated-with-14-dioxane/">Private Wells in Minnesota Contaminated with 1,4-Dioxane</a> appeared first on <a href="https://odak.com">Odak</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>According to the StarTribune, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is recommending that a portion of an Andover, Minnesota neighborhood be connected to the city&#8217;s municipal water system after 40 homes with private wells were found to be contaminated with high levels of the cancer-causing chemical 1,4-dioxane. The homes are located near the now defunct Waste Disposal Engineering Landfill, which was declared defunct in 2019 and now managed by the MPCA. Other homes in the area connected to the city&#8217;s municipal water system were not affected.</p>
<p>Original sampling last summer showed about 40 wells affected. One well tested 2,200 times the value for the Minnesota Department of Health&#8217;s safe drinking water values. According to the MPCA, recently completed resampling of the wells showed no changes to the original results. Gov. Tim Walz has asked that $12 million be included in a bonding bill to connect affect homes to city water at no cost to homeowners.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://odak.com/private-wells-in-minnesota-contaminated-with-14-dioxane/">Private Wells in Minnesota Contaminated with 1,4-Dioxane</a> appeared first on <a href="https://odak.com">Odak</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://odak.com/private-wells-in-minnesota-contaminated-with-14-dioxane/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">888</post-id>	</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
