The discovery of a large freshwater aquifer under the seabed stretching from New Jersey to Maine is significant because it could provide an alternative drinking water supply for coastal communities, especially in times of drought or pollution. Experts say the water may contain dissolved minerals from long contact with rocks and sediments, which means desalination and standard treatment may be required to make it potable. "Globally, these hidden reserves could be a lifeline in regions facing severe water scarcity, though responsible management will be critical to avoid overuse," says Kerry Key of Deep Blue Geophysics.

Mattoon, Ill., recently experienced a cyanobacteria bloom in its main water source, Lake Paradise, which forced the city to issue "Do Not Drink" orders for nearly eight days, affecting residents and businesses during the annual Bagelfest event. The city distributed more than 80,000 gallons of drinking water and plans to invest $300,000 in measures, such as spraying algaecide and replacing a water pump, to prevent future blooms.

Water reuse and circular economy practices are essential for South Africa's long-term sustainability as water costs rise because of aging infrastructure, population growth and climate change, writes Jay Bhagwan of the Water Research Commission. Tariff reforms can incentivize industries to adopt cleaner production methods and recover valuable resources, Bhagwan notes. He also emphasizes the importance of public education to overcome the "yuck factor" associated with recycled water.

The Tahoe City Public Utility District has unveiled the $30 million West Lake Tahoe Regional Water Treatment Plant, which can treat 1 million gallons per day and will supply drinking water and fire protection to the McKinney-Quail water system and the communities of Tahoma and Homewood.

A 20-year water supply plan for Central Florida is nearing final approval to address a projected groundwater shortfall of 96 million gallons per day by 2045. The Central Florida Water Initiative's plan includes 126 water supply and resource development options, as well as 24 water conservation options, but some stakeholders, including Audubon Florida, say more conservation and reclaimed water usage are needed.

The Murrysville Area Watershed Association has received a $2.1 million grant from Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection to build an active mine water treatment facility in the White Valley neighborhood. The project aims to remove impurities such as sulfur and aluminum from mine water, addressing long-standing pollution from abandoned mines. The project, expected to take five to seven years, will include recreational features such as a pond and playground.

The 30th Street Corridor in Milwaukee is still recovering from a 1,000-year storm that caused significant flooding and damage to nearly 2,000 homes. The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District is constructing the West Basin, a large stormwater project, to mitigate future flooding. While the basin, expected to be completed by 2029, will capture up to 30 million gallons of water, officials note it cannot fully prevent basement flooding due to old infrastructure and groundwater issues.

Engineers at Hong Kong Polytechnic University have developed a strain of engineered Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria that causes microplastic particles to fluoresce green, making them easier to detect in water. This method offers a faster, more affordable alternative to traditional techniques such as Raman spectroscopy. "By acting as a rapid screening tool, it could transform large-scale monitoring efforts and help pinpoint pollution hotspots for more detailed analysis," says professor Song Lin Chua.

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