Algal blooms like the one that caused a water crisis in Ohio’s fourth-largest city this weekend are possible in Texas. But no state requires treatment plants to test their water for the toxins, which can be lethal.
Neena Satija
Neena Satija worked at the Tribune from 2013 to 2019. She was an investigative reporter and radio producer for the Tribune and Reveal, a public radio program from the Center for Investigative Reporting. Previously, she was the environment reporter at the Tribune. A native of the Washington, D.C. area, she graduated from Yale University in 2011, and then worked for the New Haven Independent, the Connecticut Mirror, and WNPR/Connecticut Public Radio. She has also been a regular contributor to National Public Radio. As an East Coast transplant she is particularly thrilled with Austin tacos and warm weather.
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Energy
Four Guys on a Boat Set Out to Tackle a Texas-Sized Water Problem
Drought-stricken Wichita Falls is trying a bold experiment to address one of Texas’ most vexing water problems. It consists of four guys, a motorboat and thousands of pounds of a white powder that suppresses evaporation.
Posted inState Government
Four Guys On A Boat Tackle Texas-Sized Water Problem
Four Guys On A Boat Tackle Texas-Sized Water Problem
Posted in
Energy
Think It’s Hot in Austin Now? Get Used To 110
While an aversion to climate science persists in much of conservative, Republican-led Texas, Austin is looking to prepare for what scientists say are the inevitable consequences of climate change.
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Energy
Drinking Water Systems Draw Federal Concerns
Several public drinking water systems in Texas have quality issues that have not been adequately addressed, the Environmental Protection Agency told the state in recent correspondence obtained by the Tribune.
Posted in
Falling Behind
In DFW, Little Traction on Improving Air Quality
The Dallas-Fort Worth region boasts a growing economy larger than that of many countries — but it also sports some of the worst air quality in the nation. Scientists fear the politics of economic growth is preventing improvements.
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Falling Behind
Water Planners Focus on a More Populous Texas, but Not a Hotter One
As state water planners prepare to spend $2 billion in public funds to address Texas’ water needs in the coming decades, scientists say state leaders’ skepticism on climate change will only impair such planning.
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Falling Behind
Climate Scientists: Texas is Missing an Opportunity
Texas-based climate scientists say that Texas could be a global leader in protecting against climate change. But if state agencies continue to fail to take climate change into account when planning for the state’s future, the scientists argue, Texans will suffer a direct impact.
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Energy
State to San Antonio: No, You Can’t Own Your Wastewater
Several months after San Antonio Water System’s bold move to secure ownership of its treated sewer water even after it gets released back into a public waterway, state regulators are saying they doubt that’s possible.
Posted in
Energy
BP Wants Unspent Spill Recovery Money Back
Nearly four years after BP awarded Gov. Rick Perry’s office $5 million for recovery projects in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, most of the money remains unspent. Now, the company is asking Texas for its money back.