News & Updates
Don’t send problems down the drain
September 24, 2013The next time you pick up a package of “flushable” personal wipes, think twice: they’re not as flushable as their manufacturers imply. Truth be told, they’re clogging up wastewater treatment plants across the country — including those operated by Lehigh County Authority. A story from the Sept. 7th edition of The Washington Post illustrates just…
‘Water Supply’ signs denote LCA’s watershed areas
September 19, 2013You’ve probably seen “Drinking Water Supply Area, Spill Response Call 911” or “Water Supply Area” signs throughout the Lehigh Valley area and beyond. In fact, LCA recently teamed up with the Wildlands Conservancy, Lehigh County Conservation District, Upper Milford Township, Lower Macungie Township, Allentown and Emmaus to install signs throughout Lehigh County. The signs designate…
One woman’s inspiring quest for clean water
September 11, 2013For most of us, access to clean water is something we don’t need to think about. Turn on the tap, and out it flows. It’s something we take for granted until there’s a power failure or water main break. In many places around the world, though, people aren’t so lucky. Drought, infrastructure problems and a…
Dry farming for a dry land
September 4, 2013There’s more than one way to grow a tomato. In arid, drought-stricken areas of the country, they’re using a technique called “dry farming,” which Merriam-Webster defines as “farming on nonirrigated land with little rainfall that relies on moisture-conserving tillage and drought-resistant crops.” According to the Oklahoma Encyclopedia of History and Culture, “Dry farming originated in the…
A river runs through it
August 29, 2013The Lehigh River is one of our region’s great natural treasures. It’s also a water source for some of our customers. It stretches more than 100 miles from Wayne County in the Poconos until it merges with the Delaware River in Easton. Its name comes from the Lenape word “Lechewuekink,” which meant “where there are forks”…
Skip the chemicals, use a natural weed killer instead
August 20, 2013The summer growing season is in full swing, which means the war of the weeds is, too. Keeping vegetable gardens, flowerbeds, paths and planters weed-free is no easy task. Commercial weed-killers may make it easier, but do you really want those chemicals in your food, around your house, or in the watershed? On more than…
Scientists: Medications in water affecting fish behavior
August 5, 2013We’ve written before about the dangers of flushing medications down the toilet: A host of pharmaceuticals such as antibiotics, anticonvulsants and hormones have been found in the drinking water supplies of millions of Americans. And while some of these findings are surely the result of unwanted medications that had been flushed, experts are also aware…
New lead mandate on tap for 2014
July 26, 2013Did you know that in 2014, a Federal law will require that all infrastructure coming in contact with drinking water must contain no more than 0.25% lead by weight? Often called the “lead free” mandate, it’s a significant modification of the “Safe Drinking Water Act,” (established in 1974 to protect public health through the regulation…
A history of nitrogen pollution
July 22, 2013A University of Washington study of 36 lakes has found evidence of nitrogen from human activities in more than 75 percent of them. Some of the lakes, which range from the U.S. Rocky Mountains to northern Europe, are “thousands of miles from the nearest city, industrial area or farm.” And the pollution dates back to before the…
During a heat wave, drinking water is more important than ever
July 17, 2013It’s scorching hot outside, and it doesn’t look like relief is coming soon. Heat waves such as this one are always accompanied by news stories of dehydration and heat stroke. One of the most important things you can do to avoid becoming a statistic is to DRINK MORE WATER. An article on National Geographic’s website…