A 13-year-old boy in Mount Airy, Maryland, was killed after being swept into a storm drain during flash floods last week. Witnesses and the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Co. attempted to rescue the boy, who was playing with a friend when a torrential rain caused stormwater to rush down a hill and pull him into a drainage pipe. Despite their efforts, the overwhelming water pressure and the size of the pipe made a rescue impossible.
In the wake of the tragedy, a meteorologist from the National Weather Service warned the public about the dangers of flash floods, noting that water can rise very quickly, especially in low-lying and drainage areas.
Surprise Inspection Reveals 'Imminent Threat' at Trenton Water Works
New Jersey's top environmental official recently warned of a "substantial and imminent threat" at Trenton (New Jersey) Water Works after a surprise inspection. In a letter to the city's mayor and council, the commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection warned that the 225-year-old utility is at high risk of systemic failure due to decades of neglect and mismanagement. The visit to the treatment plant revealed "appalling conditions," including broken equipment, hazardous electrical setups and a sagging roof.
Comparing the situation to water crises in Flint, Michigan, and Jackson, Mississippi, the comissioner is advocating for the city to move forward with a plan to create a regional public water authority, which would include surrounding communities.
Four Dead in Manhole Accident in Japan
Four workers died recently in Gyoda, Japan, after falling into a manhole during a sewage pipe inspection. The incident occurred after one worker fell and three others followed in an attempt to save him. Rescuers later detected high concentrations of toxic hydrogen sulfide gas coming from the manhole.
The men who died were part of a larger crew tasked with cleaning wastewater and sludge from the pipes. City officials have stated that the exact cause of the initial fall is still under investigation.
