News & Updates
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…
Do you know your water?
July 13, 2013Water is water, right? Take two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, mix well, and you have a refreshing drink that’s also essential for life as we know it. Water comes in a wide variety of forms, however, and discerning the differences isn’t always easy. To help clear up any confusion, we’ve compiled this handy…
LCA project named finalist in global competition
July 5, 2013LCA was named a global finalist for a computer program created to help manage our local water systems. Our project was featured in the water, wastewater, and stormwater networks category — the most competitive segment of the Bentley 2012 Be Inspired Innovations in Infrastructure Conference competition, held in the Netherlands. It also is featured as an extraordinary…
Swimming safety applies to all ages
June 21, 2013It’s the first day of summer, which means swimming season is here. At LCA, we make sure safety comes first — and you should, too. This story from CNN on water safety is a great place to start. While most safety tips focus on young children, this article points out the oft-overlooked dangers faced by pre-teens…