Water
Seine awash with bacteria one month before open-water Olympic swimming
For the third consecutive week, water in the Paris river has exhibited unsafe levels of E.coli, raising concerns with the Olympics weeks away.
- by Rob Harris
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Renewables
Who owns a river? Bitter feud over High Country farmer’s green power plan
A cattle station owner’s plan to build a hydroelectric power station on his property raises broader questions about land and water use, and the responsibility of authorities to take cultural values into account in granting permits for projects.
- by Bianca Hall
Forrest’s Indigenous foes call for inquiry into Fortescue mining
The Yindjibarndi people chasing Fortescue for $500 million compensation now want the independent environment regulator to consider tightening the regulation of the high-grade Solomon mine.
- by Peter Milne
Editorial
For subscribers
Drinking water polluted by forever chemicals needs new safety standard
Many Australians were nurtured on the belief their drinking water was the world’s best, but it now emerges we’ve been drinking tap water turned toxic by so-called forever chemicals and authorities.
- The Herald's View
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Food & drink
Coca-Cola was about to receive a waterwise award. Then the water minister stepped in
Coca-Cola was gearing up to receive a WaterCorp “gold waterwise business recognition” at an event hosted by the minister. Then the accolade was snatched away.
- by Hamish Hastie
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Roads
Ghosted: the unanswered letter that sparked a fight over Rozelle Parklands
The troubled park, on top of the equally troubled interchange, has reopened – but new fencing, and a new fight, have emerged.
- by Anthony Segaert
Algae found in Rozelle Parklands pond, days before planned reopening
The troubled park was due to reopen on Tuesday following the January revelation of asbestos contamination in its mulch. But a new discovery of bacteria in the wetland means some fences will remain at the park.
- by Anthony Segaert
Train stations and car parks: The gardens proving beauty can be found anywhere
After decades of photographing the world’s best gardens, Claire Takacs is looking for inspiration in unexpected places.
- by Megan Backhouse
Exclusive
USA
Australian drinking water now allows a carcinogen at 140 times the US rate
Twenty-year-old Amara Strande’s deathbed crusade pushed the US to slash the levels of cancer-linked forever chemicals considered safe in drinking water.
- by Carrie Fellner
Plibersek swamps Victoria on Murray Darling water buybacks
The federal government will push ahead with unpopular water buybacks from farmers despite Victoria opposing the move in a bid to complete the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
- by Mike Foley
Sydney set for giant pumped hydro project to rival Snowy 2.0
A green energy company backed by WaterNSW plans to use an abandoned coal washery as the site for a pumped hydro scheme big enough to power a third of the city’s households.
- by Nick O'Malley