In Omaha, Nebraska, a man was swept away in the city's sewer system, journeying underground for 1.5 miles over the course of an hour and a half. The 41-year-old sewer pipe cleaning worker fell into the sewer on Friday and was carried by the rushing water beneath the downtown city streets, managing to escape just before the water led into the Missouri River.

The man was rescued by firefighters after a city sewer maintenance worker heard his cries for help from a culvert. He was conscious at the time of his rescue and was immediately transported to the Nebraska Medical Center for treatment of unspecified injuries.

The man was one of two individuals working for a pipe cleaning company who were swept into a manhole during a rainstorm. OSHA is investigating the incident.

Fawn Rescued from Underground Pipe at Massachusetts WWTP

The Boston Globe reports that a fawn trapped in an underground pipe at the Brockton (Massachusetts) Wastewater Treatment Facility was safely rescued and returned to the wild.

Workers discovered the deer's predicament at the facility, leading to the collaboration of Brockton Fire Department and Brockton Animal Control for the rescue operation.

A firefighter was lowered into the confined space to lasso the deer and bring it back to ground level.

Widespread PFAS Contamination Found in US Drinking Water

A new study from U.S. Geological Survey scientists reveals that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances can be found in approximately 45% of U.S. drinking water sources. The research pinpoints urban areas as the most vulnerable to PFAS contamination, with significant prevalence in the Great Plains, Great Lakes regions, the East Coast, and central and southern California.

The researchers, aiming to address the data gap about PFAS in private water wells, tested tap water samples from 269 private wells and 447 public water systems across the nation between 2016 and 2021.

EWG Releases Guide to In-Home PFAS Filters

The Environmental Working Group has created a guide to in-home PFAS water filters based on their experience with various brands. The EWG staff purchased and tested 10 different types of filters in real home environments. The organization measured the efficacy of each filter in reducing the presence of PFAS. Their top selections were also based on factors such as the cost of the filter and its potential lifespan. Read the guide here.