Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jacqueline MacDonald Gibson, John M. MacDonald, Michael Fisher, Xiwei Chen, Aralia Pawlick, Philip J. Cook
Summary: Early life exposure to environmental lead has negative impacts on children, and unregulated private well water is an overlooked source of lead exposure associated with an increased risk of teenage delinquency. Research shows that children living in homes with unregulated private wells have higher blood lead levels compared to those with community water service, and this higher lead exposure is significantly related to reported delinquency.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mohammad Ali Khaksar Fasaee, Jorge Pesantez, Kelsey J. Pieper, Erin Ling, Brian Benham, Marc Edwards, Emily Berglund
Summary: This research investigates and compares the use of statistical models and machine learning models for predicting lead levels in household drinking water. The study demonstrates that low-resolution data collected by residents can be used as input for models to estimate lead levels and provides a set of prediction models for private well users to assess the risk of lead contamination.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mohammad Ali Khaksar Fasaee, Emily Berglund, Kelsey J. Pieper, Erin Ling, Brian Benham, Marc Edwards
Summary: This research aims to explore modeling approaches to predict the risk of lead in private drinking water systems, with results showing Naive Bayes classifiers performing best in terms of recall and precision. Copper is identified as the most significant predictor of lead, while feature selection has limited impact on performance and discretization methods can greatly influence model performance when paired with classifiers.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lu Chang, Joseph H. W. Lee, Y. S. Fung
Summary: This study presents an electrochemistry-based model to predict lead leaching from a copper pipe fitted with leaded connections. The findings provide valuable insights into galvanic corrosion in drinking water systems and offer a practical framework for predicting lead contamination in tap water.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maya Spaur, Melissa A. Lombard, Joseph D. Ayotte, David E. Harvey, Benjamin C. Bostick, Steven N. Chillrud, Ana Navas-Acien, Anne E. Nigra
Summary: Geogenic arsenic contamination mainly occurs in groundwater, while surface water supplies are less affected. There is a significant association between the probability of private well arsenic exceeding 10 pg/L and CWS arsenic concentrations, especially in Rural, American Indian, and Semi Urban, Hispanic counties, suggesting the need for increased regulatory support and research to reduce arsenic exposure in these vulnerable subpopulations. This comparison of arsenic exposure values from major private and public drinking water sources nationwide is crucial for future assessments of drinking water arsenic exposure and health outcomes.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lauren N. Walters, Alex T. Tai, Raymond J. Santucci, John R. Scully, James M. Rondinelli
Summary: Current safety standards for water treatment to reduce indigestible lead in drinking water rely on outdated data and models. This study utilizes advanced computational materials science techniques to simulate lead scale formation and stability, and finds that lead carbonates are thermodynamically driven to form a cerussite scale.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Javad Roostaei, Sarah Colley, Riley Mulhern, Andrew A. May, Jacqueline MacDonald Gibson
Summary: Machine learning was used to predict the spatial distribution of PFAS in the environment, with the model showing high accuracy in predicting GenX risk in private wells. The historic rate of atmospheric deposition of GenX from fluorochemical manufacturing facility was found to be the most important factor associated with GenX risk in private wells.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yaohuan Gao, Benjamin F. Trueman, Graham A. Gagnon
Summary: The study found that the addition of orthophosphate is more effective in controlling lead release compared to sodium silicate. Silicate treatment results in degradation of the top lead scale layer, leading to increased lead release. On the other hand, orthophosphate encourages the growth of structured and thicker corrosion scales, effectively limiting lead release.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lauren A. Eaves, Alexander P. Keil, Anne Marie Jukic, Radhika Dhingra, Jada L. Brooks, Tracy A. Manuck, Julia E. Rager, Rebecca C. Fry
Summary: In this study conducted in North Carolina, it was found that prenatal exposure to lead and cadmium in private well water increased the risk of preterm birth, and co-exposure with chromium further increased the risk. This study highlights the importance of improving private well water quality to protect vulnerable populations and emphasizes racial and ethnic health disparities.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Isaiah Spencer-Williams, Mitchell Meyer, William Depas, Emily Elliott, Sarah-Jane Haig
Summary: Increases in phosphate availability from phosphate-based corrosion control strategies may result in shifts in nutrient and microbial community composition in drinking water distribution systems. This study found that orthophosphate addition led to significant changes in microbial community composition and increased bacterial density, particularly for nontuberculous mycobacteria. The study also revealed potential species-specific interactions between phosphate and bacteria.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Vasikan Vijayashanthar, Mitchell J. Small, Jeanne M. VanBriesen
Summary: Following an exceedance of the lead action level in drinking water in 2016, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) conducted two sampling programs: biannual Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) compliance testing and a home sampling program based on customer requests. The results showed that LCR sampling sites had higher lead concentrations than customer-requested homes, indicating that some homes show elevated lead levels when corrosion control is not fully effective. Corrosion control adjustments brought the utility back into compliance in 2020, significantly reducing lead concentrations.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Cheng Tan, Haizhou Liu
Summary: In this study, inhibitive corrosion control strategies for Cr(VI) formation through the oxidation of Cr(0) by chlorine were investigated by adjusting chemical water parameters. The results revealed that increasing pH, silicate, alkalinity, and calcium suppressed Cr(VI) formation due to the precipitation of Cr(III) solids on the surface of Cr(0). These Cr(III) precipitates were less reactive with chlorine and inhibited Cr redox reactivity. The concentration of surface Cr(III) solids was inversely correlated with the rate constant of Cr(VI) formation, and the addition of phosphate showed varying effects on Cr(VI) formation depending on its concentration.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ioan Petculescu, Paul Hynds, R. Stephen Brown, Kevin McDermott, Anna Majury
Summary: The study found that spatiotemporally static NEC thresholds are not appropriate due to seasonal, spatial, and well-specific susceptibility factors associated with different contamination trends. It is recommended to consider these factors in the development of private well water guidelines and to avoid using static thresholds. Furthermore, the authors propose that the NEC:E. coli concentration ratios change in the context of aforementioned factors and may have a role in inferring groundwater contamination mechanisms.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Ananda Tiwari, Vicente Gomez-Alvarez, Sallamaari Siponen, Anniina Sarekoski, Anna-Maria Hokajarvi, Ari Kauppinen, Eila Torvinen, Ilkka T. Miettinen, Tarja Pitkanen
Summary: This study characterized ARGs and MRGs in five well-maintained DWDSs in Finland, finding that non-disinfected DWDSs had the highest diversity of ARGs and bacterial communities. DWDSs using disinfectants contained more ARGs and MRGs, with an increase in antibiotic groups and mercury resistance genes.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Riley Mulhern, Banks Grubbs, Kathleen Gray, Jacqueline MacDonald Gibson
Summary: Private well users are potentially exposed to a variety of chemical contaminants through their drinking water, and point-of-use water treatment is proposed as a solution. However, lack of knowledge and skills, as well as lingering concerns about water quality, continue to be major barriers to adoption. Strengthened outreach and support programs are needed to encourage adoption of point-of-use water treatment among households relying on private wells.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Correction
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Shantanu V. Bhide, Stanley B. Grant, Emily A. Parker, Megan A. Rippy, Adil N. Godrej, Sujay Kaushal, Greg Prelewicz, Niffy Saji, Shannon Curtis, Peter Vikesland, Ayella Maile-Moskowitz, Marc Edwards, Kathryn G. Lopez, Thomas A. Birkland, Todd Schenk
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Euijin Yang, Daniel A. A. Butcher, Marc A. A. Edwards, Kasey M. M. Faust
Summary: Residents may lose trust in drinking water systems and turn to alternative water sources when encountering water-quality issues. The erosion of trust can be caused by breakdowns in communication, poor handling of issues, or misconceptions about water quality. This study found that trust is related to individuals' actions and interactions with the water system.
JOURNAL OF WATER RESOURCES PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anna Gitter, Diane E. E. Boellstorff, Kristina D. D. Mena, Drew M. M. Gholson, Kelsey J. J. Pieper, Carlos A. A. Chavarria, Terry J. J. Gentry
Summary: Microbial contamination of private well systems, especially in flood-impacted areas, is a significant drinking water concern. A sampling campaign after Hurricane Harvey found high concentrations of Escherichia coli in private wells, posing a risk of infection through drinking water and indirect ingestion exposure. Norovirus and Cryptosporidium were identified as the greatest health risks, with exposure pathways including bathing, showering, and food/dish washing. Conducting post-flood microbial risk assessments of private wells in coastal communities is crucial for providing scientifically supported guidance on safe well water practices where water quality is unknown.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kathryn G. Lopez, Jinghua Xiao, Christopher Crockett, Christian Lytle, Haley Grubbs, Marc Edwards
Summary: After switching its source water from ground to surface water, a utility observed a significant increase in lead levels in the water that could not be explained by existing knowledge. An in-depth investigation and laboratory experiments revealed a strong correlation between seasonal fluctuations in surface water nitrate levels and the release of lead.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Kory Wait, Siddhartha Roy, Marc A. Edwards
Summary: A large building with recurrent leaks in the hot water recirculating line was investigated. The leaks occurred on the top half of heavily coated pipes. Under-deposit corrosion was ruled out as the cause, while a chemistry-related hot water pitting mechanism was hypothesized. The hypothesis was verified by conducting macrocell experiments, which showed that copper or stainless steel coated with manganese oxides exhibited high cathodic tendencies, leading to pitting corrosion.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Katherine Vilardi, Irmarie Cotto, Megan Bachmann, Mike Parsons, Stephanie Klaus, Christopher Wilson, Charles B. Bott, Kelsey J. Pieper, Ameet J. Pinto
Summary: This study reports the co-occurrence and cooperation of comammox and anammox bacteria in a full-scale municipal wastewater treatment system, where they appear to drive nitrogen loss.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Solize Vosloo, Linxuan Huo, Umang Chauhan, Irmarie Cotto, Benjamin Gincley, Katherine J. Vilardi, Bryan Yoon, Kaiqin Bian, Marco Gabrielli, Kelsey J. Pieper, Aron Stubbins, Ameet J. Pinto
Summary: COVID-19 pandemic-related building restrictions have raised concerns about the safety of drinking water microbiology after reopening commercial buildings. In this study, water samples were collected from three commercial buildings with reduced water usage and four residential households for six months. The analysis showed that prolonged building closures led to higher microbial cell counts in commercial buildings compared to residential households. Flushing reduced cell counts and increased disinfection residuals, but the microbial communities remained distinct in commercial buildings. However, the microbial communities gradually converged after the water demand increased post-reopening.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Andrew George, Kathleen Gray, Kory Wait, Daniel Gallagher, Marc Edwards, Jefferson Currie, Judy Hogan, Alfred W. Kwasikpui, Kelsey J. Pieper
Summary: Most private wells in the United States, especially in low-income communities, are not tested for contaminants unless state or local regulations require it. A study in North Carolina found that while contamination levels in private wells were high, Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) and low-income households were less likely to test and treat their drinking water compared to white, high-income households. This suggests that BIPOC and low-income communities may experience greater disparities in exposure to toxic metals in drinking water.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Christian J. Lytle, Marc A. Edwards
Summary: Water utilities dose phosphates to potable water for reducing aesthetic problems, inhibiting scale formation, and reducing corrosion. However, there are significant gaps in understanding due to proprietary nature of some phosphate chemicals. This article summarizes the current state of the science, provides operational guidance, and identifies knowledge gaps to improve phosphate chemical performance and avoid unintended consequences.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sudeshna Ghosh, Laurel Strom, Ni Joyce Zhu, Kandace E. Donaldson, Anna Kurowski, Haniyyah Majeed, Joseph Oliver Falkinham, Marc A. Edwards, Amy Pruden
Summary: Distribution of reclaimed water poses unique challenges for pathogen control in comparison to conventional potable water. Elevated temperatures in arid regions can worsen these challenges by accelerating disinfectant decay and promoting microbial growth. A study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of microbiological control treatments at different temperatures by analyzing six simulated reclaimed water distribution systems. The results showed that certain treatment methods were less effective at higher temperatures, indicating the need for further research to control specific pathogens under elevated temperature conditions.
Editorial Material
Engineering, Environmental
Siddhartha Roy, Kim N. Dietrich, Hernan F. Gomez, Marc A. Edwards
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yang Song, Rachel Finkelstein, William Rhoads, Marc A. Edwards, Amy Pruden
Summary: This study investigates the effects of copper on the microbial community in hot water plumbing systems. The results show that even low doses of copper can have an impact on the broader microbial community and that opportunistic pathogens in the system are highly copper tolerant. The addition of orthophosphate can reduce the bioavailability of copper. Functional gene analysis suggests that membrane damage and interruption of nucleic acid replication may be involved in the copper inactivation mechanisms.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Miriam Tariq, Felipe Araya, Marc A. Edwards, Kasey M. Faust
Summary: The underutilization of water infrastructure in shrinking cities can have negative impacts on water quality and public perception of water safety. A study found that people who are aware of water contamination events are more willing to pay for improved water quality. Different factors affect the willingness to pay for those who are aware and unaware of such events.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rebecca Kriss, Marc Edwards
Summary: Elevated cuprosolvency in drinking water poses aesthetic and health concerns. The Lead and Copper Rule in the United States has gaps, leaving some consumers vulnerable. Our research shows that a simple pH adjustment is not sufficient to address copper corrosion, and alternative interventions may be needed.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Abraham Cullom, Matheu Storme Spencer, Myra D. Williams, Joseph O. Falkinham III, Connor Brown, Marc A. Edwards, Amy Pruden
Summary: In this study, the effects of disinfectants and pipe materials on microbial community composition and enrichment of antibiotic resistance genes were investigated. The results showed that both disinfectants and pipe materials had independent and interactive effects on ARG and microbial community composition, with monochloramine showing a potential risk of enrichment of antibiotic resistance genes.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)