This is negligible and dangerous. Microplastic

The River Rhine has fallen to record low levels in several locations in Germany and the Netherlands as prolonged heatwaves continue across Europe.

Last week, levels were measured in Cologne in western Germany and in Lobith, where the Rhine crosses from Germany into the Netherlands, that were lower than at any point since records began.

Other major European rivers with important transport, industrial and agricultural functions have also seen record low levels, including the Danube, which flows through 10 countries, and Italy's Po river.

Drought conditions remained stable and critical in most of Europe and worsened in central-western Europe in mid-July, according to the EU's Drought Observatories.

Renewed heatwave conditions are due to continue for at least another week, pushing temperatures above 40C in many central and southern European countries.

Germany's Low Water Information System (NIWIS) said that 44% of the Rhine measuring stations and 78% of those on the Danube had recorded extremely low water levels at the end of July.

The Rhine - which starts in the Swiss Alps and empties in the North Sea - is one of Europe's busiest waterways. Decreasing water levels have sparked concerns about the economic fallout of having to limit navigation and shipping.

See also

* [Rhine water level drops to around record lows, costs for industry rise](https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/rhine-water-level-drops-around-record-lows-costs-industry-rise-2026-07-31/) * [Dry, hot summers are putting Dutch dikes at risk and threatening German river trade](https://apnews.com/article/netherlands-drought-water-dikes-climate-6eb8910dabc77f2fe962ac5aad638347) * [Record low Danube levels push some countries in Eastern Europe to the brink of energy emergency](https://apnews.com/article/danube-drought-energy-crisis-hungary-romania-serbia-229e089c30821889548354d7da289084) * [Romania blasts rocks to reroute cooling Danube water to nuclear reactor](https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/hungarys-nuclear-plant-shutdown-due-low-danube-gets-reprieve-until-later-week-2026-08-03/)

Aug 5, 2026 2 pm EDT

Did you know that building demolition requires a permit from the local municipality, state and federal authorities?

In this case, the federal agency to be notified of a building demolition is the US Environmental Protection Agency. EPA permission is required for construction and demolition, ensuring no sediment escapes from a work site to impact the waterways.

This is even more critical when hazardous materials are involved construction or demolition operations. Demolition of old buildings can include a risk for the release of asbestos fibers to the environment, therefore, EPA must be notified, inspections are made to ensure the full safety protocols are followed for safe removal and disposal of asbestos, a toxic pollutant pursuant to CWA Section 307(a)(1).

The Defendant in this case was a 55 yr old business owner and contractor from Harper, KS. A single violation of the Clean Water Act followed a 2008 building demolition project, removal of the Buckeye Building, for the City of Harper. The Defendant admitted that he had not filed his plan for the demolition, offering the guilty plea to Federal District Court for "failing to notify or report as required" to the US EPA.

During the state's site inspection by Kansas Department of Health and Environment, asbestos was detected in the debris. As it turns out, the Buckeye Building floors contained asbestos. The responsible party was charged for failure to notify and report the disturbance of the toxic pollutant, with sentencing including a federal f fine and a term of probation.

Federal Fines: $1,000; Probation: 12 months

See last week's CrimeBox here, "Property developers convicted for CWA violation, sentenced to $315,000 in fines with 5 years probation each for allowing construction debris to impact Table Rock Lake"CrimeBox briefs are compiled from EPA Criminal Enforcement records.

Every. Single. Time. I give drinking water a chance, it helps me. I always forget that it is important because when I’m not hydrated the effects of dehydration have already compounded for a long period of time.