WIth so much information in the news surrounding the large release of PFAs in Farmington this past year the Regional Water Authority proactively tested for these chemicals in the sources that they use  for our drinking water.  What are PFAs?  Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances are man made chemicals that have been used for decades in industiral and consumer goods.  The CT State Department of Health established an advisory level for PFAs at 70 parts per tirllion (ppt).  The good news is that Regional Water Authority source water is way below that level ranging from
0 to 6.8 ppt.  www.rwater.com/water-quality/pfas-management   

RWA also states that lead levels in the water they deliver to us are very low.  However, some buildings may have old pipes or other problems that cause lead to leach into the water that you use.  Please contact them if you are concerned.  They have testing locations listed on their website.  Email: ask.info@rwater.com or call during normal business hours 203-562-4020. They also list some simple steps you can take if you suspect that your water may have too much lead. 

Being in nature can help our health. Urban environments are different from suburban, rural and wilderness locales in that they have more built infrastructures, less open space and may lack safe access to open space due to vehicle traffic and/or crime.  In addition, urban environments are more likely to have higher pollution levels in air, soil and water due to past and current activities that adversely affect the health of its residents. 

More information is available from the review article: 
Nature and Health, Terry Hartig,1 Richard Mitchell,2 Sjerp de Vries,3and Howard Frumkin4
1Institute for Housing and Urban Research, Uppsala.

Please visit www.centerfornatureandhealth.org for more information.

We were proud to sponsor this summit at the partnership level. The keynote speaker, Charles C. Brown defined equity at the beginning of his talk.  We know that this is always a challenge because there are so many definitions put forward.  We'd like to share his with you. 

Equity involves trying to understand and give people what they want to enjoy full, healthy lives.
 
Equity is the presence of justice and fairness within the procedures, processes, and distribution of resources by institutions or systems.
 
Facing equity issues requires an understanding of the underlying or the root causes in inequalities and oppression within society.  
Link to the conference:
 http://www.ctprf.org/programs_services/transport-hartford/2019-multimodal-summit/#shared

"The water that leaves RWA's treatment plants...has no lead in it. But as water sits in plumbing systems small amounts of lead from lead pipes or lead solder...can dissolve in the water".  From "waterlines" included in our last bill from RWA:  https://www.rwater.com/media/3814/waterlines-spring-2019.pdf   
Information is included about how to test your water and what to do about it if it has high lead levels.  If you are concerned and don't want to get the test done you could just follow the guidelines in the article as a precaution.      

​HTTPS://DOI.ORG/10.1029/2019EO117371   ​
https://eos.org/research-spotlights/what-do-people-drink-when-they-think-their-tap-water-isnt-safe

Ted Talk:  Dr. Rishi Manchanda tells how he solved a mysterious serious injury by asking a patient with chronic and severe headaches about the place where she lived.   Why aren't more doctors asking these questions and helping their patients with the adverse health effects from environmental pollution?

The Greater New Haven Green Fund will hold its annual meeting to elect officers and directors.  We will also present our 2014 annual report.  The public is invited to attend and address the board with any concerns or comments that they might have for our board.
 
Thursday, October 22, 2015 @ 6  PM
Located at : The Grove, 760 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT, 2nd floor, Conservatory Room
 
We have begun our fifth year of issuing grants to the Greater New Haven Community through a competitive grant application process with a request for proposals.   
 
Grant awardees for 2014 include:
Major grants:

• Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven:  Best Practices for Residential Storm Management
• Connecticut Fund for the Environment: West River Green Infrastructure Project
• URI: Community Planning for Greenspace

Small grants:

• Quinnipiac University: Surveying the Quinnipiac River #3
• Ecoworks:  Creative Reuse for Art Supplies

Micro grants:

• NH/Leon:  healthy climate campaign
• West River Watershed Partnership: West River Water Festival
• NH Land Trust: Field of Greens Community Garden
• NH Festivals: KenshoSeed, microgreens
• Stevens Community Garden
• New Haven Bioregional Group: Jonathan Bates Reedible Forest Gardening, Speaker Series
• City of New Haven: Youth at Work bicycles
• Hill Regional School: Panther Garden Club

You may RSVP to the Facebook event here.