News & Updates
Preserving our liquid assets
July 26, 2012An interactive graphic from NPR shows the cycle of dry weather — in some places, devastating drought — that has been crisscrossing most of the United States since January. It also serves as a sobering reminder that water conservation needs to be a top priority as weather patterns continue to change. According to the USDA,…
No potty talk here: Old toilets get new life underfoot
July 20, 2012An engineer in Bellinham, Washington, used crushed porcelain from recycled toilets in a sidewalk project. Now that’s what we call a “can”-do attitude. The Meador Kansas Ellis Trail project was recognized by the University of Washington for this innovation and a number of others, including the installation of low-energy LED streetlights and the use of…
This summer, keep your air conditioning inside
July 12, 2012With tax season well behind us, an audit is probably the last thing you want to think about. But here’s one that deserves serious consideration: a home energy audit. Unlike the IRS version, a home energy audit will help you go green while saving you green. During a home energy audit, a series of tests…
It’s time to face the nation’s water infrastructure needs
May 17, 2012Communities across the country are being confronted with a daunting challenge: replacing the aging, underground pipes that carry drinking water while also expanding service to meet the needs of a growing population. Making the task even more formidable is the price tag, which is predicted to be at least $1 trillion over the next 25 years. During…
Surge in Lyme disease predicted for region
March 23, 2012Spring sprang early this year, but if you’re itching to work in the yard and garden, take some precautions so that ticks don’t have you itching — or worse — instead. A news release from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, a nonprofit environmental education group in upstate New York, states that the “northeastern U.S….
Let them tell you about the birds, and the bees, and the bats …
January 20, 2012Mark your calendars for Saturday, Feb. 18. The Longswamp Township Environmental Advisory Council will host a backyard wildlife workshop at TEK Park, 9999 Hamilton Blvd, Breinigsville, on the first floor. The theme — Birds, Bees, and Bats Too! Why We Need Our Winged Friends — will be broken down into three sections:? Steven Saffier of the…
Safety tricks for a treat-filled Halloween
October 26, 2011During the Halloween season, the most frightening thing we can think of is a trick-or-treater getting hurt. So please, before your little pumpkins head out to scare up some candy, take some time to make sure they’ve got safety in the bag first. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has a great collection of tips to get you…
Fire safety is no accident
October 12, 2011Have you ever thought about what you’d do if there were a fire in your home? Do you have an escape plan? Have you practiced it with your family? Do you have a working smoke alarm in every room? If you answered ‘no’ to any of these questions, your chances of becoming a fire statistic…
What’s the Marcellus Shale?
October 4, 2011Lately, it seems like the terms “Marcellus Shale” and “fracking” are popping up everywhere. There’s a lot of information — and misinformation — and it remains a hot-button topic among environmentalists, lawmakers, and the general public alike. So what, exactly, is this chunk of rock everyone’s talking about? The Marcellus is a layer of black…
Recovering from — and preparing for — storms
September 25, 2011As Lehigh County Authority’s service area recovers from flooding caused by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee — the worst in the state since 1972’s Hurricane Agnes — we wanted to ensure our customers know where to turn for help. If your home or business has been affected, download this handy PDF guide to navigating state…