Day 4 of Green Week Todays topic: water!

This is another topic near and dear to Pennsylvania’s and especially Pittsburgh’s heart as PA has had the 2nd highest number of Clean Water Act violations (source @EnvirHealthNews )

A study by @PennEnvironment found that 5 industrial facilities in Western PA made about 25% of all the infractions in the state.

Fracking in western and northern PA have also played a crucial role in water contamination. Though fracking companies promise that they will be working well below drinking water aquifers, studies have found fracking chemicals in drinking water. ( https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2016/12/13/epa-fracking-can-impact-drinking-water/)

In 2016, one company contaminated Pittsburgh’s water with enough lead to rival Flint,MI. Today, Pittsburghers are still struggling with the effects of this negligence.
( https://www.wired.com/2016/10/pittsburghs-drinking-water-got-contaminated-lead/amp)

In response, @CityPGH started the Safe Water Program which helps Pittsburghers get free water filters and lead test kits. Additionally, there are so many groups who are fighting for clean water . Lets highlight some today!

@CleanH2OPA is pushing for accountability from factories and establish green infrastructure.

@youghrvrkeeper works south of Pittsburgh on ground restoration of past damage, advocating on coal and shale gas extraction and other issues that have a local impact. Theyre holding polluters and regulators accountable in order to protect their community and the environment!

@ALLARMwater at @DickinsonCol engages PA communities, investigates the health of their streams and uses the data they generate for aquatic protection and restoration efforts

Again, this is by no means a comprehensive list so please feel free to chime in with more wonderful orgs doing the work that needs to be done!!

We can do our part and petition our govt to do better for everyones sake https://nextgenamerica.org/act/climate-petition/

Tune in tomorrow for one more GreenDay!!