Latest news with #cleanwater
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
'Deep concern' over signs and trolleys in river
A wildlife trust has said it is "deeply concerned" after traffic signs, road cones and rusty shopping trolleys were found in a river. Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is urging the public to protect waterways after a large amount of debris was discovered in the River Biss in Trowbridge by staff from the town council. "Recently items such as roadworks cones, signs, shopping trolleys, baskets and various bottles and cans were discovered in the river," a council spokesperson said. It comes after the Environment Agency said earlier this year that rusty trolleys in the river could pose a "potential flood risk". More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire "We will continue to take action to remove debris and encourage the community to do their part in keeping our rivers clean," Trowbridge Town Council said. Shopping trolleys and an office chair were also found dumped in the same part of the river last November. The Environment Agency is responsible for managing the River Biss alongside the town council. "Litter in watercourses isn't just a public nuisance, it can be a flood risk and bad for the environment," an Environment Agency spokesperson said. "If you spot rubbish which could cause a flood risk or pollution, please report it via our incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60." Wiltshire Wildlife Trust said rubbish in the river is not just an eyesore, but a symptom of a wider environmental issue. "Our rivers are corridors for nature, they are habitats for species that cannot live elsewhere such as the water vole, otter, and kingfisher, as well as a rich diversity of fish, insects, and plants," it said. "The presence of large-scale litter and fly-tipped items poses a direct threat to this wildlife through entanglement, physical injury, and the leaching of harmful pollutants that degrade water quality for years to come. "We urge the public to help us protect these precious habitats by ensuring all waste is disposed of responsibly and by reporting any incidents of fly-tipping to Wiltshire Council immediately." Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Campaigners want Thames Water fine spent on clean up Solstice campers leave rubbish and human waste Norman the donkey encourages people to litter pick Trowbridge Town Council Environment Agency
The Herald
a day ago
- Politics
- The Herald
Theft and vandalism in municipalities: SAHRC releases policy brief to tackle ‘water mafias'
'Many municipalities confirmed the prevalence of water mafias and construction mafias. When I recently had discussions with mayors, they also confirmed the presence of water mafias in municipalities,' he told Simelane. Boshoff said they know the only reason for the appointment of some 'service providers' in municipalities was for them to benefit financially. ' They are appointed to provide water tankers, for example, and there is a reluctance by municipal officials to appoint staff members or fill vacant positions in municipalities to perform the services. As Environment Month draws to a close, the SAHRC put a spotlight on water. The commission was concerned that the right to access clean water, a constitutional entitlement, is under threat. The SAHRC published a policy brief delving deeper into systemic sabotage of essential water infrastructure, particularly by water mafias.
Russia Today
a day ago
- Health
- Russia Today
Study exposes water danger in South African schools
A South African environmental organization has found that 43% of schools participating in a testing project reported water samples contaminated with harmful bacteria. The findings were published on Wednesday. Only 36.7% of South Africa's rural population has access to safe drinking water, compared to 71.8% in urban areas, according to a 2024 report by Statistics South Africa. The country's water infrastructure is also under strain – 29% of water supply systems were deemed to be in critical condition, the 2023 Blue Drop report found. Launched in March, the Water Community Action Network (WaterCAN) involved teachers and pupils from 95 schools in eight provinces who used citizen science kits developed by iLAB to test local water sources. Out of 54 schools that uploaded data, 23 reported contaminated samples. Tank water showed the worst results – 73% of tanks tested positive for bacteria like coliforms and escherichia coli. River water followed at 66%, while 23% of tap water samples also failed to meet safety standards. 'This isn't just a water issue,' WaterCAN executive director Dr Ferrial Adam stressed. 'Children can't learn if they're sick, unsafe, or without access to something as basic as clean water.' Responding to the findings, Department of Basic Education spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said 'It is critical that as a country we should address all the matters raised in the report to ensure that our learners consume clean, safe water,' as quoted by IOL. Despite gradual improvements in infrastructure, millions across Africa still lack access to safe drinking water. According to a 2023 report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), approximately 70% of people in African countries have access to basic water services. Only 19% of the population in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), 12.6% in Ethiopia, 6.2% in the Central African Republic (CAR), and 5.6% in Chad have access to safe sources. The Republic of the Congo performs better, with access at 46%. People without reliable access face heightened risks of cholera, dysentery, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever. In Chad, poor water quality accounted for 10% of all deaths in 2019, according to health data. The Central African Republic followed closely at 9.5%, with Niger and South Sudan each at 8.2%, and Nigeria at 7%.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Giant boombox toilet co-designed by Sir Rod Stewart unveiled at Glastonbury
A giant boombox-shaped toilet, co-designed by Sir Rod Stewart, has been unveiled at Glastonbury Festival. WaterAid's Boombox Bog houses a toilet that sits behind the tape deck of a giant blue boombox decorated with leopard print, a pattern often worn by Sir Rod. The veteran rockstar, 80, will perform in front of thousands of music fans on Sunday when he plays the coveted tea-time legends slot on the Pyramid Stage, which sits nearby to the toilet. The Maggie May singer said: 'I've spent my life singing to packed arenas and festival crowds, but nothing hits a high note quite like clean water and a decent loo. 'They might not be sexy, but they're life-changing.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
PDS Health Raises Over $1.9 Million Through Smile Generation to Support charity: water's Clean Water Projects
Campaign proceeds will fund clean, safe drinking water for over 48,000 people in Ethiopia. HENDERSON, Nev., June 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PDS Health®, a leading provider of integrated healthcare support services, announced that its 2025 campaign for charity: water raised over $1.9 million ― its most successful to date. Through its consumer brand, Smile Generation®, PDS Health mobilized its nationwide network of dental and medical practices and the patients they serve to support clean water access for underserved communities. The proceeds will fund long-term, community-owned water systems in Ethiopia, benefiting more than 48,000 people. Smile Generation is a key extension of PDS Health's mission to advance whole-person health. In addition to connecting patients with trusted local dentists and offering accessible financing, Smile Generation plays an essential role in educating patients about the Mouth-Body Connection®, or the link between oral health and overall health. Through this campaign, Smile Generation-trusted practices also raised awareness of the fundamental role clean water plays in sustaining health and highlighted the particular benefit it will have on young women and girls, who spend the majority of their time traveling to get clean water for their families. "Access to clean water is essential to health. This campaign reflects our broader mission to improve lives through better access to basic needs," said Stephen E. Thorne IV, Founder and CEO of PDS Health. "Much like PDS Health's mission to improve the overall health of our patients through better access to quality care, charity: water is similarly committed to making a positive impact on the health of people it serves. We're proud to continue this partnership that will improve the long-term health of thousands of people around the globe." Millions of people around the world still lack basic access to clean, safe drinking water. In many rural communities, women and girls walk for hours each day to collect water for their families, limiting their education, health and economic opportunities. Since 2006, charity: water has funded water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs for rural communities, serving more than 20.2 million people in 29 countries across Africa, Asia, Central and South America. PDS Health has partnered with charity: water since 2009. Over 16 years, the organization has raised more than $12.3 million, supporting over 500 water projects in six countries and bringing clean water to an estimated 345,000 people. "We've been continually blown away by the dedication to our mission from our friends at Smile Generation and PDS Health over the last decade and a half," said Scott Harrison, CEO of charity: water. "This year's campaign was the single-most successful peer-to-peer fundraiser by a brand partner in the history of charity: water ― raising nearly $2 million to bring clean water to an estimated 48,905 people!" To learn more about how PDS Health and Smile Generation support healthier, happier communities, visit About PDS HealthPDS Health® continues the journey started by Pacific Dental Services® in 1994, with a vision to redefine health care through the integration of dental and medical services. Its approach, centered on the connection between oral health and overall health, aims to create healthier, happier patients and set new benchmarks in the healthcare industry. As a leading provider of integrated healthcare support, the company delivers a broad spectrum of services to dental, dental specialties, and medical providers, enhancing operations and care delivery for clinicians across the U.S. For more information about PDS Health and its vision, visit About Smile Generation Smile Generation® connects patients to Smile Generation-trusted dentists who are dedicated to providing an exceptional patient experience and advanced clinical care. Smile Generation also provides financial choices for patients and education about the connection between oral health and overall health (The Mouth-Body Connection®). The Smile Generation network spans over 1,000 dental offices in 24 states. Smile Generation-trusted offices are supported by PDS Health®. For more information, visit About charity: water charity: water is a nonprofit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people around the world. With powerful storytelling and a radically transparent model that ensures 100% of every public donation funds clean water, charity: water has mobilized supporters from more than 150 countries to help end the water crisis. They work exclusively with experienced local partners to build sustainable, community-owned water projects and prove each one with innovative technology. Since 2006 in New York and 2017 in London, charity: water has funded over 186,000 water projects in 29 countries to help more than 20.2 million people get access to clean water, hygiene, and improved sanitation. For more information, visit The Mouth-Body Connection® and Smile Generation® are registered trademarks of PDS Health. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE PDS Health Sign in to access your portfolio
