Free Drinking Water Research Articles

Copper Induces Cognitive Impairment in Mice via Modulation of Cuproptosis and CREB Signaling

It has been reported that disordered Cu metabolism is associated with several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. In this study, 4-week-old male mice were exposed to Cu by free-drinking water for three months. Then, the effects of Cu on cognitive functions in mice were tested by Morris water maze tests, and the potential mechanisms were investigated by the ELISA, immunochemistry, TUNEL, and Western blot tests. It was found that Cu exacerbates learning and memory impairment, and leads to Cu-overload in the brain and urine of mice. The results showed that Cu induces neuronal degeneration and oxidative damage, promotes the expression of apoptosis-related protein Bax, cuproptosis-related proteins FDX1 and DLAT and the proteotoxic stress marker HSP70, and decreases Fe-S cluster proteins. In addition, Cu affects the pre-synaptic and post-synaptic regulatory mechanisms through inhibiting the expression of PSD-95 and SYP. Cu also suppresses phosphorylation levels in CREB and decreases the expression of BDNF and TrkB in the mouse hippocampus. In conclusion, Cu might mediate cuproptosis, damage synaptic plasticity and inhibit the CREB/BDNF pathway to cause cognitive dysfunction in mice.

Does water availability shift dietary preferences of coyotes in the west desert of Utah?

Water is one of the most essential resources on the planet and shapes entire ecosystems. Across the western United States, thousands of artificial water sources have been installed to assist wildlife populations in arid environments. It has been reported that kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis) can live independently of free-drinking water, but coyotes (Canis latrans) would have to more than triple their intake of prey biomass to meet energy requirements. However, previous researchers discovered no change in coyote space use, nor were survival rates of coyotes influenced by the removal of water sources. We predicted coyote diets in the treatment areas (i.e., water removed) would show an increase in leporids, as a source of preformed water after the water removal to compensate for the lack of free water. However, we found no evidence of a dietary shift by coyotes towards large-bodied prey (i.e., leporids) after water sources were removed; occurrence of leporids in the coyote diet decreased after water removal in both the control and treatment areas. Based on this study and previous research in Utah's west desert, coyotes in the Great Basin ecosystem were not influenced by artificial water sources in a spatial, demographic, or dietary capacity.

Metro station free drinking water fountain- A potential “microplastics hotspot” for human consumption

Microplastics have become an inevitable component of our environment. Worldwide, free public fountains are common and one of the best sources of drinking water which are being installed with one of the viewpoints of reducing single-use plastics bottle consumption. However, the state of knowledge on how microplastics might be affecting in those free public drinking fountains is unknown. In this study, free drinking water fountains from 42 metro stations in Mexico City were being looked into for the occurrence of microplastics and investigated their shape type, size, abundance, distribution, polymer composition and surface morphology. Microplastics were detected in all the samples analyzed. The results revealed the significant abundance of microplastics ranging from 5 ± 2 to 91 ± 14 L−1 in drinking water with an overall average of 18 ± 7 microplastics L−1. Transparent fibers (69%) were predominant in the identified microplastics followed by blue (24%) and red colored (7%) fibers. The most frequent microplastics dimensions ranged between 0.1 and 1 mm which is approximately 75% of the total microplastics. Micro-Raman spectroscopy analysis indicated that microplastics contained in drinking water were mainly polyesters (poly (trimethylene terephthalate)) and epoxy resin suggesting the possible contribution of wastewater discharges for microplastics contamination. Thus, this study findings show that free public drinking water fountains are potential microplastics hotspot for human consumption and provide useful references for mitigation measures.

Community-Based Policies and Support for Free Drinking Water Access in Outdoor Areas and Building Standards in U.S. Municipalities.

We examined community-level characteristics associated with free drinking water access policies in U.S. municipalities using data from a nationally representative survey of city managers/officials from 2,029 local governments in 2014. Outcomes were 4 free drinking water access policies. Explanatory measures were population size, rural/urban status, census region, poverty prevalence, education, and racial/ethnic composition. We used multivariable logistic regression to test differences and presented only significant findings. Many (56.3%) local governments had at least one community plan with a written objective to provide free drinking water in outdoor areas; municipalities in the Northeast and South regions and municipalities with ≤ 50% of non-Hispanic whites were less likely and municipalities with larger population size were more likely to have a plan. About 59% had polices/budget provisions for free drinking water in parks/outdoor recreation areas; municipalities in the Northeast and South regions were less likely and municipalities with larger population size were more likely to have it. Only 9.3% provided development incentives for placing drinking fountains in outdoor, publicly accessible areas; municipalities with larger population size were more likely to have it. Only 7.7% had a municipal plumbing code with a drinking fountain standard that differed from the statewide plumbing code; municipalities with a lower proportion of non-Hispanic whites were more likely to have it. In conclusion, over half of municipalities had written plans or a provision for providing free drinking water in parks, but providing development incentives or having a local plumbing code provision were rare.

Community-based Policies and Support for Free Drinking Water in U.S. Municipalities

We examined community-level characteristics associated with free drinking water access policies in U.S. municipalities. This cross-sectional study used data from a nationally representative survey of city managers/officials from 2,029 local governments conducted in 2014. Outcome measures were four policies regarding free drinking water access. Explanatory measures were population size, rural/urban status, census region, poverty prevalence, education, and racial/ethnic composition. We used multivariable logistic regression to test differences. For community planning, 56.3% of local governments had at least one plan with a written objective to provide free drinking water in outdoor areas; municipalities in Northeast and South region and municipalities with 50% of non-Hispanic (NH) white were less likely to have a plan. For existing policies and funding, 59.2% had polices or budget provisions for free drinking water in parks and outdoor recreation areas. Municipalities in Northeast and South region were less likely to have such a policy or budget provision. For future community development, 9.3% provided incentives for placing drinking fountains in outdoor publicly accessible areas. For local building standards, 7.7% had a municipal plumbing code drinking fountain standard that differed from the statewide plumbing code; municipalities with lower proportion of NH whites were more likely to have it. Free drinking water in parks and outdoor recreation areas are supported by written plans, a policy or budget provision in over half of municipalities. Drinking water promotion through development incentives or a more robust municipal plumbing code was rare. Encouraging the consumption of water instead of sugary drinks is a strategy to improve healthier diets and reduce disease risk.

Performance Evaluation of Existing Community Level Arsenic Removal Plants for Arsenic Free Drinking Water Supply in Jessore and Jhenidah Districts of Bangladesh

The use of groundwater as drinking water in Bangladesh is favoured by its easy availability, microbial safety and absence of proper infrastructure for treatment and distribution of surface water. As a result, millions of people are affected by widespread arsenic poisoning through drinking water drawn from underground sources containing arsenic at concentrations well above the permissible limit of 50µg/L. Since 2000, hundreds of community level arsenic removal plants have been installed in the south-west region of Bangladesh. However, the performance of the plants over time is hindered by lack of information due to the absence of long term water quality monitoring information. The objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of existing community level arsenic removal plants. In this study, we selected five arsenic removal plants (four plants were Arsenic Iron Removal Plant, namely AIRP; and one Granular Ferric Hydroxide Based Arsenic Removal Unit, namely SIDKO) located in Jessore and Jhenidah district. All AIRPs and SIDKO achieved the Bangladesh standard for arsenic in drinking water of 50µg/L. The AIRPs removed 64% of influent arsenic on average. However, the SIDKO removed 80 % of influent arsenic. Treated water quality parameter (such as pH, EC, TDS, PO43-, As, NO3-) of the plants were within the WHO standards, except NH3 (0.01-1.89 mg/L) and Fe++ (1.0 – 1.21 mg/L) for long term uses.

Drinking Water Quality Clinics and Outreach in Delaware Focusing on Educating Master Well Owners

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the authority to regulate the public water systems. The EPA does not have the jurisdiction to regulate private drinking water wells. This leaves approximately fifteen percent of the nation’s population without any regulation being held in place to protect their source of drinking water. With that fifteen percent of the US population having private wells for drinking water, it makes the number of people whose drinking water is unprotected by regulation at a little over 15 million US households. This concern is even more acute in areas with groundwater that is close to the surface. Delaware residents live in a region with low elevation which is very close to the coast with low elevation and the shallow groundwater makes us concern about contaminated well water even more intense. As one of the Water Resources Program partners, we have offered free Drinking Water Quality Clinics to local well owners over the past 4 years in Delaware State University. Since 2009, over 400 Delaware residents have benefited from these clinics. At each clinic, an information session was offered in the evening, with an opportunity to hear from and speak with a drinking water well expert. Participants were given sample bottles and water testing performed the following day included pH, nitrite, nitrate, sulfate, alkalinity, fluoride, hardness, iron, lead, cadmium, arsenic, Total Coliform, and E. coli. Over half of the samples returned out of range values for pH, while 72 returned results positive for Total Coliform and Escherichia coli bacterium. Data are examined for correlations, and improved understanding of local well owners. These tests shared with local well owners insights into what may be wrong with their water. In addition, any tests that came back outside of the normal range were reported to homeowners in writing. Mailed with the written reports were also information specific to what test results were outside of the limits, and actions to take to correct the exact problem the well owners encountered. The data reported here are examined to discuss the correlations of information, and ways that the Drinking Water Quality Clinics have improved our understanding of local wells and ownerships. In conclusion, regular testing on a yearly basis is the most effective way to ensure that public health is maintained.