contaminated water

Last week, the town of Cameron in Steuben County became the second in the state to ban the practice of landspreading using sewage sludge, or biosolids. The town adopted the law at its monthly board meeting on June 11. The town of Thurston, also in Steuben County, was the first in New York to ban the practice in 2023.

Environmental groups are urging New York to embrace a proposed federal standard for drinking water.

It’s been over three years since water fountains in some Ithaca area schools could offer students a drink. In 2015, water systems in all 12 Ithaca City Schools were shut off after tests showed elevated lead levels. However, within two weeks, the water will be turned on again at some elementary schools.

Significantly more harmful algal blooms were reported on Cayuga Lake this year than in 2017. A local non-profit reports the 2018 blooms were more likely to contain toxins harmful humans and small mammals, like cats and dogs.