# Water and Waste! **URL:** \ **Category:** Resources\ **Created:** [November 18, 2023, 3:24am UTC](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/water-and-waste/252 "2023-11-18T03:24:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SandySunshine](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/user_avatar/westcentralmnclimate.network/sandysunshine/32/150_2.png) [@SandySunshine](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/u/SandySunshine)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2023, 3:24am UTC](https://westcentralmnclimate.network/t/water-and-waste/252/1 "2023-11-18T03:24:53Z")
I am here reflecting on water and waste, because they are very important and don’t get talked about enough, so here I am doing so! I totally should’ve sat at Syd’s table today at the Sustainability Conference 2.0 brainstorming session and I’m sorry I didn’t. These are just a few relevant articles that have been on my mind lately, so I’m definitely interested in these topics! This first one is important to me, because I work at SCMC in Morris and take biohazard bags out to the shed in back, and just trained someone at work on this process. Proper disposal is important! > **[Blood, organs among infectious waste wrongly sent to Minnesota trash facility](https://www.fox9.com/news/east-metro-trash-facility-receiving-blood-organ-infectious-waste.amp)** > > The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is investigating how a large amount of infectious human waste ended up in the trash facility for Ramsey and Washington Counties. Another link on waste to reduce garbage on/in lakes! > **[New Minnesota law: It’s now illegal to place any garbage or waste on lake ice](https://www.dl-online.com/news/local/new-mn-law-its-now-illegal-to-place-any-garbage-or-waste-on-lake-ice)** > > “Prior to this law, it was very difficult for DNR officers to enforce any anti-littering efforts. This law is a game changer and puts the focus where it should be — on individual accountability.” Morris Water information: > **[MDH EH » Source Water Assessments](https://swareport.web.health.state.mn.us/SWA_Factsheet.html?pwsid=1750005#)** > > Source Water Assessments of Public Water Systems This link contains a link to an added layer on Google Maps which shows all the waterways in MN that have detected PFAS in their sampling. “A FOX 9 Investigators analysis of years of testing data reveals at least 148 lakes, rivers and streams had fish contaminated with at least some level of PFAS chemicals detected.” > **[More than 140 lakes, rivers and streams in Minnesota had fish contaminated...](https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.fox9.com/news/minnesota-fish-contaminated-forever-chemicals.amp)** > > At least 148 lakes, rivers and streams in Minnesota were found to have had fish contaminated with so-called forever chemicals, according to state testing data obtained by the FOX 9 Investigators.   Here’s some more on PFAS: > **[EPA detected "forever chemicals" in water systems serving 46 million. Is...](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/investigations/2023/11/11/pfas-forever-chemicals-detected-in-water-systems-that-serve-46-million/71528470007/)** > > The EPA has released data showing more than 850 water systems reported finding forever chemicals, which are linked to increased cancer risk. > **[Wastewater treatment plays large role in spread of Minnesota's PFAS pollution...](https://www.minnpost.com/environment/2023/11/wastewater-treatment-plays-large-role-in-spread-of-minnesotas-pfas-contamination-report-finds/)** > > Researchers found “forever chemicals” known as PFAS in the Mississippi River, as well as the Sauk River, Clearwater River and Johnson Creek in central Minnesota. > **[US military says national security depends on ‘forever chemicals’](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/11/17/us-military-national-security-depends-on-forever-chemicals/71574622007/?gnt-cfr=1)** > > As regulators weigh restricting PFAS, chemicals linked to cancer, the Pentagon told Congress that eliminating them would undermine military readiness. Water Quality Violations: > **[American Crystal Sugar fined for water quality violations at Crookston and...](https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/american-crystal-sugar-fined-for-water-quality-violations-at-crookston-and-east-grand-forks)** > > American Crystal Sugar violated industrial wastewater regulations last year at its Crookston and East Grand Forks facilities that impacted the Red Lake River and Red River of the North. Bans to protect water: > **[EPA considering nationwide ban on TCE over 3 years after Minnesota banned it](https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/minnesota/news/epa-considering-nationwide-ban-on-tce-over-3-years-after-minnesota-banned-it/)** > > The proposed ban on TCE would take effect in one year, being phased out in some limited cases. Silica gel harms water and ecosystems: [The Importance of Eliminating Silica Gel - Micro-Pak](https://www.micropakltd.com/en/news/the-importance-of-eliminating-silica-gel#:~:text=Environmental%20Impact,-Silica%20gel%20is&text=Silica%20gel%20is%20commonly%20packaged,harm%20to%20wildlife%20and%20ecosystems). Microplastics in water: [https://phys.org/news/2023-11-zooplankton-ocean-freshwater-rapidly-escalating.amp](https://phys.org/news/2023-11-zooplankton-ocean-freshwater-rapidly-escalating.amp)