KIMBALL, W.Va. – In McDowell County, West Virginia, access to clean tap water is a challenge for many. That's why one community is trying something different: a new technology called "hydropanels."

Linda McKinney, who heads the Five Loaves and Two Fishes Food Bank in Kimball, joined with manufacturer Zero Mass Water to have 24 hydropanels installed at her facility last month. They'll produce clean drinking water – about 950 gallons a month.

McKinney says it's a much-needed boon to local residents who otherwise rely on sometimes contaminated water from decaying coal-company water systems.

"You're dealing with some systems that the piping is 100 years or more old, and there was no funding – no money, no tax base – to take care of those systems,” says McKinney. “So, the food bank is so excited to be asked to be a part of this."

She says the hydropanels are like solar panels, but instead of using sunlight to create electricity, they pull moisture from the air and filter it with sunlight to produce clean water. How fast the panels gather and filter depends on the humidity and how much sunlight is available.

Zero Mass Water, which makes the hydropanels, partnered with the 'one2one USA Foundation' and the water-access advocacy group 'Dig Deep' to install the system in Kimball at no cost.

Kaitlyn Fitzgerald, communications director with Zero Mass Water, says each panel can hold up to eight gallons at a time in a reservoir. Fitzgerald says the company's goal is to help people around the globe who face water insecurity.

"This is a call to action,” says Fitzgerald. “We want to build partnerships, like what you see here in McDowell County. And we're excited to work with more community leaders, like the McKinneys, who are advocating on behalf of themselves and on behalf of their neighbors to fight for the human right that is access to safe drinking water."

She adds the company already installed similar arrays for communities facing water gaps in Kentucky and North Carolina, as well as Africa, Australia and India.


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"Don't go into the water" is a warning Illinoisans may want to heed. A 2024 study released this week found all state-border beaches on Lake Michigan last year had evidence of contamination.

Findings from the Safe in Swimming report indicate these conditions could cause serious gastrointestinal and respiratory ailments. The data show bacteria levels were well above the EPA's "Beach Action Value" water quality standards. These guidelines help determine advisories and closures.

Emily Kowalski, outreach and engagement manager for the Environment Illinois Research and Education Center, explained the odds of exposure.

"One hundred percent of those beaches had potentially unsafe levels of fecal indicator bacteria at least one day in 2024, meaning that swimmers were potentially at risk," she said.

A water sample exceeding acceptable BAV standards increases the chances of a higher illness rate among swimmers. The study shows 71% of Great Lakes beaches had at least one potentially unsafe test day. Three beaches in Cook County had the highest degrees of dirty water - Winnetka Lloyd Park had the highest at 21. Glencoe Park and Montrose beaches had 14 days each.

The study identified runoff from paved streets and parking lots, and overflow from outdated, bacteria-encrusted sewage systems as harmful contributors. Livestock waste from concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs, is another source.

Human contact with water tainted by manure could cause an E. coli infection. Kowalski suggested the environment could be one solution to interrupt the pathogen flow.

"Investing in nature-based solutions, green infrastructure, but also the repair needed in aging sewage systems nationally," she continued.

An estimated 57 million Americans experience nausea, diarrhea, ear and eye infections, and skin rashes after swimming in polluted waters. Kowalski adds the EPA estimates a price tag of $630 billion over 20 years will be needed to address sewage runoff and other wastewater problems nationwide.

Illinoisans can check the status of their favorite beach at Chicago Park District Beaches website.

Following last year's historic drought in Montana and hot temperatures early this spring, the Blackfoot River is running at roughly 25% of normal water levels.

Water rights have shifted some this year but experts said management will continue to be community-driven.

Clancy Jandreau, Blackfoot water steward for the nonprofit group Blackfoot Challenge, said the river's fish population declined in the late 1980s and early 90s, but there has also been a long history of restoration efforts. The new Blackfoot Drought Response Plan, updated in April, helps build on those efforts, Jandreau noted.

"We really wanted to more explicitly recognize that habitat restoration efforts that improve fisheries can in and of itself be a response to drought, as it builds resilient fisheries," Jandreau explained.

The new plan also incorporates deferred changes from the 2015 Montana Water Rights Compact, in which the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks became co-owners of a water right historically associated with hydropower production.

During a dry summer like this one, Jandreau pointed out the drought plan encourages a "shared sacrifice for shared benefit" model, in which irrigators, anglers and other water users voluntarily reduce their effects on the resource.

"Everybody's going to be seeking the refuge of the river over this summer," Jandreau added. "That includes humans and wildlife. So just doing their best to be aware of that and being responsible and ethical recreators this summer out there on the river."


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Because of drought and failing infrastructure, the state of Texas will run out of water by 2030, according to the Texas Water Development Board.

But two new pieces of legislation are on the books that are designed to address the state's water shortage.

Senate Bill 7 and House Joint Resolution 7 would allocate $20 billion for infrastructure improvements and new projects.

Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said he's been trying to get lawmakers to address the state's water crisis for 10 years.

"We completely lost our sugar cane industry because - no water," said Miller. "We've brought it to light that Mexico is not paying their water bill with our treaty on the Rio Grande, so that was brought to light. We've got a drought over half the state of Texas."

An increase in population has also contributed to the state's water woes.

JR 7 would authorize the state to use $1 billion a year from sales tax revenue for the water projects. The resolution must be approved by voters in November.

If the amendment is approved, the projects and funds will be overseen by the Texas Water Development Board. Miller said in the meantime, the state needs to do a better job at managing the water it has.

"We spend millions and millions of dollars on stormwater drainage, getting rid of excess water when it rains," said Miller. "We need to capture that water and use it. We need to capture the water out of these water treatment plants. I'm not advocating that we drink it but, my farmers sure would like to irrigate with it."

Miller said the state can also benefit from rainwater harvesting. He added that up to 70% of the state's water is lost, as it's transported to various municipalities because of old, worn-out infrastructure.




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