Potomac River as seen from under the Key Bridge looking northbound in October of 2021 by Jeff Vincent licensed under Creative Commons.

Local scientists raise alarms about rising salt levels in water across the region

As wastewater in Greater Washington becomes saltier due to road salt runoff, pollution from various commercial sources, and saltier human diets, drinking water may become saltier too. The EPA does not have standards regulating sodium in drinking water or streams. The sodium concentration in the Potomac has steadily grown between 1996 and today.  (Antonio Olivo / Post)  

Fairfax County electric vehicle drivers will pay a new fee at public charging stations

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a plan to charge 30 cents per kilowatt hour of electricity delivered from public electric vehicle charging stations. The new fees, which will be comparable to those of commercial charging infrastructure providers, will cover transaction fees from the station provider and the cost of electricity.  (Angela Woolsey / FFXnow)  

Severe flooding in Prince George’s County affects road users

Almost three inches of rain fell in Prince George’s County Monday, causing flash flooding along roadways and in parking lots. At least two vehicles needed water rescues, one in Landover Hills and another in Riverdale.   (Fox 5 DC, NBC 4 )  

NOAA-led volunteers map heat islands In Montgomery County

Volunteers walked six routes with agency officials across Montgomery County at 6 am, 3 pm, and 7 pm last Sunday with thermometers and sensors to capture changes in temperature and humidity. Results are expected in about two months. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is running similar volunteer heat island documentation efforts nationwide.  (Jacob Fenston / DCist. Tip: Chester B.)  

DC to further regulate cannabis gifting shops

DC officials have formed a “Joint Cannabis Force” across several regulatory agencies to regulate brick-and-mortar cannabis gifting businesses to ensure that they are compliant with existing building occupancy and health codes and are not directly competing with the District’s legal medical cannabis dispensaries.  (Martin Austermuhle / DCist)  

Affordable housing proposed near the Chantilly Regional Library

At the most recent Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting, (August 2) Supervisor Kathy Smith proposed to turn over eight acres of land near the Chantilly Regional Library to the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority for up to 200 units of affordable housing. Fairfax County has a goal of building at least 10,000 new affordable housing units by 2034.  (Fatimah Waseem / FFXNow)  

Navy Yard developer chooses residential over commercial

A developer proposed a new 248-unit apartment building in Navy Yard recently, after shifting from their original plans for a 350,000 square-foot office building at the site.  (UrbanTurf)  

Pollution reduction project complete at Alexandria waste processing facility

Upgrades are complete at the west Alexandria waste incinerator and electricity generator to aid in cutting its nitrogen oxide emissions in half, helping it get in line with the City of Alexandria’s Environmental Action Plan 2040. The facility services 400,000 residents and businesses in the surrounding area.  (Vernon Miles / ALXnow)  

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