Latest news with #healthdepartments
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How To Make Well Water Safe To Drink
If your home uses well water, you might assume it's pure because it comes from deep underground, but that's not always the case. It's different from city water, which is treated and tested regularly by local authorities. Private wells are the homeowner's responsibility, so any contamination must be checked by you. Well water can be affected by naturally occurring minerals (like iron and arsenic) as well as contaminants like bacteria, nitrates, pesticides, and heavy metals; especially if the well is shallow or located near agriculture or septic systems. The Cleveland Clinic notes that even clear and odorless water might contain dangerous microbes like E. coli or cryptosporidium. Drinking untreated or poorly filtered well water could lead to gastrointestinal illness, reproductive issues, or other long-term health effects, particularly in children and immunocompromised individuals. That's why the first and most critical step to making well water safe is testing it. You should have a well tested at least once a year for bacteria, nitrates, pH, and dissolved solids. If your well is near a farm, landfill, or septic system, more frequent testing is recommended. Most local health departments offer test kits or referrals to certified laboratories, as this is the only way to know for sure what's in your water. Once you know what the problem is, you can learn how to treat it effectively. Read more: Discontinued Costco Grocery Products We Probably Won't Get Back Post-COVID, people have been very aware of what they put into their bodies. Water has proven to be a point of contention, in this regard. We're told that you shouldn't drink bottled water, you shouldn't drink water on an airplane, and so on. Checking your well is just an extension of that same preventative health care. Once well water has been tested and you know what you're dealing with, the next step is treatment. There's not one sole solution you can turn to in every circumstance, which means the filtration system you pick should target the specific contaminants found in your well. Most homeowners need a multi-stage approach that covers multiple bases. For sediment and larger particles like sand or rust, a simple pre-filter will usually do the trick. But for more complex issues like bacteria, heavy metals, or high mineral content, you'll need a more advanced filtration system. A common setup starts with a whole-house sediment filter followed by a carbon filter (to reduce chlorine-like tastes and organic compounds). If you have hard water (high in calcium or magnesium), a water softener may also be needed. For pathogens like E. coli or giardia, the CDC recommends a UV light purification system which kills microbes without adding chemicals. Reverse osmosis systems can also remove nitrates, arsenic, and heavy metals, but they often work best in conjunction with other filters. In general, homeowners who've tackled this issue before say combining multiple systems offers the most protection. And while some setups may be costly up front, investing in the safety of your home's drinking water is always worth it. Installing a high-quality filtration system is only half the battle, as keeping your well water safe requires regular upkeep. The CDC emphasizes the importance of routine maintenance for both the well and filtration components. Just like how you need to change the water filter for your fridge, you have to do the same for any other water filter system in your home. For starters, inspect the well annually to check for cracks in the casing, changes in water clarity or smell, and signs of contamination from nearby sources like flooding or agricultural runoff. Filters and UV bulbs need regular replacement to remain effective. Neglecting this step can lead to bacteria slipping through or cause a buildup of harmful substances in your system. Most manufacturers include a replacement schedule and it's wise to log changes so nothing goes unnoticed. By retesting your water once a year -- or after any major environmental change like a storm or flood -- you'll be able to catch new threats early. Long-term safety also means keeping the area around your well clean. Don't store chemicals or fuel nearby and maintain a safe distance between the well and septic system. If the well is old or shallow, consider upgrading to a deeper or sealed model to reduce the risk of surface contamination. Safe drinking water starts with awareness and ends with you taking action. If you keep up with routine testing, proper filtration, and maintenance, well water is just as safe, and often better-tasting, than municipal supplies. For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more! Read the original article on The Takeout.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Which beaches in NY are closed for swimming right now? See the list
As New Yorkers prepare to celebrate Independence Day, several popular beaches on Long Island have been temporarily closed due to elevated levels of bacteria in the water, according to public health departments on Long Island. Health officials in and counties have restricted swimming at the following beaches since June 25, citing concerns over potential illness caused by contaminated water: Benjamin Beach in Bay Shore Ronkonkoma Beach in the Town of Islip Sayville Marina Park Beach in Sayville Morgan Beach in Glen Cove Biltmore Beach Club in Massapequa These closures will remain in place until follow-up water quality testing confirms it is safe to swim again. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that bacteria such as vibrio, which are commonly found in coastal waters, can cause symptoms ranging from diarrhea and vomiting to skin infections and, in severe cases, life-threatening illness. Beachgoers are urged to check with their local health departments or visit the for the latest updates before heading to the shore. As of June 26, Long Point State Park on Lake Chautauqua in Chautauqua County is closed due to a harmful algal bloom. As of June 30, Cedar Point State Park's swimming beach in Jefferson County is closed since no lifeguards are on duty. Beaches in state parks are closed when there is a known or anticipated public health or safety risk. Closures may be triggered by: Elevated bacteria levels Harmful algal blooms Sewage overflows Rough water or poor weather Lack of available lifeguards Cold water temperatures (below 50°F) Signs are posted and the public is notified within 18–24 hours after an elevated bacteria level is detected. The source is not always clear but can include: Stormwater runoff Land use within the watershed Naturally occurring bacteria in sand or soil Heavy rainfall or environmental changes like strong winds or high waves Freshwater samples: Tested for E. coli: A result of 235 colonies/100 mL or higher exceeds the state standard Ocean samples (Long Island): Tested for enterococci: A result of 104 colonies/100 mL or higher exceeds the state standard New York uses a two-category system for beach management at its state parks: Category 1: The beach remains open with an advisory. If poor water quality is confirmed in a second test, it is closed. Category 2: The beach is automatically closed until a passing sample is obtained. Exceedance: Bacterial levels exceed the state standard Predicted exceedance (model or rainfall): Environmental conditions suggest unsafe water High waves or turbidity: Unsafe for swimmers or lifeguards can't see clearly No lifeguard: Beaches close when no supervision is available Cold water: Below 50°F End of season: Seasonal closures This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: NY beaches closed: See the full list before you head out
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Brevard: How do you know if the water where you are swimming is safe?
How do you really know whether the water you're wading in, swimming or paddling in is safe? Should you even let your dog drink it? The risks make headlines every summer: bacteria from sewage or wildlife; toxins from algae that's already sickening manatees, dolphins and even alligators; rare, strange brain-eating amoebas; and emerging pathogens strengthening to "superbugs" due to antibiotic resistance. These risks tend to spike after heavy rains wash bacteria and nutrients from wildlife droppings and human sources from the land. So health departments periodically pull water samples from the beach surf zone during warmer months. But results aren't ready for a few days, so surfers and swimmers often don't know how much bacteria was in the water until after the fact. It's always swim at your own risk in Florida. But the following resources can help you check the chronic problem areas and make an informed choice on which days are safest for you and yours to take a dip: From March through September, this program samples the surf zone for bacteria at 10 Brevard beaches and at other beaches statewide every two weeks, posting the results on its website: But they only test during warmer months, when bacteria growth is higher and there are more people on the beach. On May 27, Jetty Park tested "moderate" for enterococcus bacteria. Enterococcus bacteria lives in the gut of humans and other animals. Its presence can indicate other, more dangerous bacteria in the water. Health officials measure the number of colony-forming units (CFU) of enterococcus per 100 milliliters of water sample. A sample is "good," if 35 or less CFUs. A "moderate" level is 36 to 70 enterococcus CFUs. Higher than that is a "poor" result, which triggers health officials to retest. A health advisory for bacteria in the water means that contact with the water may increase risk of skin, ear, eye, respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. The nonprofit Surfrider also tests for bacteria in local waters. You can check out local results on their online map. You can see Surfrider's water sampling results on their online map at The group's recently released its Clean Water Report identifies beach waters where bacteria hot spots across the country. The group identified Ballard Park in Melbourne among the top 10 for bacteria hot spots due to the frequency of water samples failing to meet state health safety standards. Last year, 52% of Ballard Park samples exceeded the state health standard for enterococci bacteria, the group says. Vibrio vulnificus, one of the fastest growing bacteria known, is potentially deadly. It can enter the bloodstream via scratches and other open wounds. It is also a risk from eating raw oysters. You can learn about that risk at CDC's site: The risk of infection from water exposure is very rare but you can learn more at the state health department site: Last year, Titusville City Council unanimously approved a proposed $70,000 settlement agreement to resolve a lawsuit over a boy who became paralyzed after paddle boarding in the Indian River Lagoon near a city sewage spill in late 2020. According to the suit, in late December of 2020 the boy went paddle boarding and swimming in the lagoon in Titusville, departing from his mother's house, 4.5 miles south of Sand Point Park in Titusville. He was in the water several times, according to the suit. But on Dec. 23, water samples downstream of the ponds' lagoon outfalls exceeded water quality criteria for bacteria. In August 2011, 16-year-old Astronaut High student Courtney Nash of Mims died of the amoebic infection after swimming in the St. Johns River near the Brevard-Volusia county line. Before her death, Brevard County's most recent Naegleria fowleri cases were a Port Malabar Elementary third-grader who swam at Max K. Rodes Park in West Melbourne in 2002 and a 6-year-old boy who was infected in 1980. Both children died. Learn about it and other waterborne disease risks here: In May, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $9.7 million in grant funding that states, Tribes, and territories use to monitor recreational water quality and to notify the public if elevated levels of illness-causing bacteria make swimming unsafe. That includes $500,000 to Florida's Healthy Beaches Program. Surfrider is warning of efforts by the federal government to cut funding to that program. Waymer covers environment. Reach him at (321) 261-5903 or jwaymer@ Follow him on X at @JWayEnviro. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: How to know if Brevard water you are swimming in is safe? Find data here.
CBS News
05-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
Mosquitoes in 2 Illinois counties test positive for West Nile virus
The DuPage County and McHenry County health departments confirmed that mosquitoes tested positive for West Nile virus for the first time this year. The mosquitoes tested in McHenry County for the virus were found in Lake in the Hills. DuPage County health officials tested mosquitoes from Roselle, Medinah, Clarendon Hills, and Burr Ridge in May. While the mosquitoes tested positive in both counties, no human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in either county. What is West Nile Virus? West Nile virus is spread to people from infected mosquitoes, most commonly in the summer. Eight out of 10 people infected do not develop symptoms, according to the CDC. The CDC said about 1 in 150 people who are infected with the virus develop a severe illness. High fever, headache, stiff neck, disorientation, and vision loss are among the symptoms. You can protect yourself by wearing light-colored, long-sleeved shirts, socks, and pants and using insect repellents. The health departments recommend getting rid of standing water around houses to eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Takeaways from AP's report on how federal public health cuts are affecting communities across the US
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Americans are losing a vast array of people and programs dedicated to keeping them healthy. State and local health departments responsible for invisible but critical work including inspecting restaurants, monitoring wastewater for harmful germs, responding to outbreaks and other tasks to protect both individuals and communities are being hollowed out. The Trump administration is cutting health spending on an unprecedented scale, experts say. It's pulled $11 billion of direct federal support and eliminated 20,000 jobs at at national health agencies that in part support local public health work. It's proposing billions more be slashed. Public health leaders said the cuts are reducing the entire system to a shadow of what it once was and threatening to undermine even routine work – even as the nation faces threats from diseases like measles, whooping cough and bird flu. The moves reflect a shift away from the very idea of public health: doing the work that no individual can do alone to safeguard the population as a whole. Here are some takeaways from The Associated Press examination of how federal cuts to public health are affecting communities and people across the United States. Disease prevention is unseen — and ignored Prevention work is low key. It's impossible to identify who was saved because, if it goes well, the person never knows when they've fended off a mortal threat with the invisible shield of public health. The health department in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, for example, has run a mobile clinic that it brings to high schools to ensure students are up-to-date on shots for diseases like measles and polio. Those shots help both the student and the wider community stay healthy — if enough people are vaccinated. U.S. health departments run programs to reduce suicides and drug overdoses, improve prenatal health and help people stop smoking. They educate people about health and test for and treat diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis. Some, including Mecklenburg, operate medical and dental clinics too. The work departments do is also cost effective, experts have found. For every dollar spent on childhood immunizations, the country is estimated to save $11; on tobacco cessation, $2-$3; on asthma control, $70. Chaos in Washington puts 'lives at risk' State and local health departments depend on federal money and support. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sends about 80 percent of its budget to states and local communities and helps those departments with its expertise and other resources. When the Trump administration pulled $11 billion from state and local health departments without warning in March, then laid off thousands of people at CDC a week later, public health leaders said the cuts delivered a serious blow to communities across the country. All eight employees dedicated to the mobile vaccine program in Mecklenburg were laid off. Nine disease intervention specialists in Columbus, Ohio, were let go as the department prepared to address a measles outbreak. Nashville had to end a program offering free flu and COVID tests. Meanwhile, tobacco hotlines, early intervention programs for children who are deaf or hard of hearing, and programs to prevent drowning are all being affected in states and communities because CDC teams were laid off. A spokesman for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said HHS is reorganizing what he said were 'broken systems' and rejected "the implication that HHS has turned its back on urgent health threats.' HHS justified the grant cancellations by saying the money was for COVID and the pandemic is over. But most of the cuts were in areas that are especially important given today's health threats, including epidemiology and laboratory capacity as well as immunizations. Connecticut's state health commissioner told a Democratic congressional hearing the current uncertainty 'puts lives at risk.' Public health funding is going bust — and about to get worse The new cuts are especially damaging because health departments are funded differently than other government agencies meant to protect the public: Funding pours in during emergencies and slows to a relative trickle when they subside. Public health leaders often cite the contrast with fire departments, which are kept ready at all times, not scrambling to find firefighters and fire trucks when houses are already burning. A temporary surge of money during the pandemic allowed some health departments to expand and strengthen programs. But by early this year, most of that money had disappeared, along with other COVID-era grants across the nation — some because they ended and some because the government rescinded them. Departments were again left brittle and vulnerable. In Chicago, one-time COVID grants made up 51% of the health department budget, and their ending will push staff numbers below pre-pandemic levels — slowing responses to outbreaks and forcing officials to scale back food safety, violence prevention and other programs. In Mecklenburg, the department lost 180 employees as COVID funds dried up. It also lost a wastewater monitoring partnership with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte that helped the county react quickly to changing COVID variants and could have also been used to detect new threats like bird flu. The cuts are not over. The Trump administration has proposed cutting billions more from CDC's budget, enough to cut the agency's spending in half. CDC sends about 80 percent of its budget to states and local communities Public health leaders warn the the relentless cuts to the system leave departments unable to respond to new pandemics and old diseases returning across the United States. ___ Ungar reported from Charlotte and Louisville, Kentucky, and Smith reported from Providence, Rhode Island. Associated Press reporters Mary Conlon in Washington and Kenya Hunter in Atlanta contributed to this report.
