Most water systems in the U.S. have fluoride added to help protect residents' teeth. Some research raises concerns that, at high enough levels, fluoride may be linked to lower IQs in kids. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption
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Thursday
Wednesday
Adding fluoride to the U.S. drinking water has long been considered one of greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. Still, debate continues about its worth. Catherine Falls Commercial/Getty Images hide caption
Tuesday
Just this month, California declared a state of emergency due to rising cases of bird flu in dairy cattle. BeritK/Getty Images hide caption
From Ozempic to bird flu: Here are the biggest health stories of 2024
Thursday
John Brundahl (left), production superintendent, Todd Colvin, chief water systems operator, and Mark Toy, general manager, run the PFAS treatment plant at the Yorba Linda Water District in Orange County, Calif. Pien Huang/NPR hide caption
Utilities must comply with limits on PFAS chemicals by 2029. Some have a head start
Friday
Chemical companies and water utilities have sued the EPA after it issued rules limiting some PFAs, or "forever chemicals" that are linked to human health risks. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/Getty Images North America hide caption
Friday
Following a new EPA rule, public water systems will have five years to address instances where there is too much PFAS in tap water – three years to sample their systems and establish the existing levels of PFAS, and an additional two years to install water treatment technologies if their levels are too high. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption
What to know about the new EPA rule limiting 'forever chemicals' in tap water
Wednesday
EPA is limiting PFAS chemicals in drinking water in the U.S. Rogelio V. Solis/AP hide caption
EPA puts limits on 'forever chemicals' in drinking water
Monday
Many cities have older lead service lines connecting homes to the water system. Seth Wenig/AP hide caption
Lead in the drinking water is still a problem in the U.S. — especially in Chicago
Thursday
Lead water pipes pulled from underneath the street in Newark, N.J., in 2021. Seth Wenig/AP hide caption
Thursday
A study released by the U.S. Geological Survey on Wednesday estimates that at least 45% of U.S. tap water could be contaminated with at least one form of PFAS, which could have harmful health effects. Rogelio V. Solis/AP hide caption
Tuesday
Michael Regan, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, at an event in 2021. The Biden administration is announcing a plan to regulate "forever chemicals" in drinking water. Travis Long/AP hide caption
Tuesday
Hurricane Fiona, which made landfall on Sunday, has damaged reservoirs and water filtration plants. Puerto Rico's only water agency is scrambling to restore services, but officials say they're waiting for flooded rivers to subside. Alejandro Granadillo/AP hide caption
Monday
Michelle Hartfield, a public information officer for the Salvation Army, takes notes while Booker Ellis, Chris Bonham and Walter Houston unload water donated by the Salvation Army to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind on Thursday. Leslie Gamboni for NPR hide caption
In Jackson, Miss., volunteers work hard to bring water to residents who need help
Wednesday
Environmental Protection Agency administrator Michael Regan speaks at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, in Greensboro, N.C., on April 14. The EPA is warning that two nonstick and stain-resistant compounds in drinking water pose health risks at levels below the government's ability to detect them. Carolyn Kaster/AP hide caption
Tuesday
Quelccaya glacier in Peru, photographed in 2015. Glaciers in the Andes mountains contain significantly less water than previously thought, according to a new study. Ricardo Lopez/AP hide caption