US EPA establishes a new Water Security Division

The US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) announced on Sept. 10. 2003, that it has established a new Water Security Division to protect the nation's drinking water systems from terrorist acts. The major tasks that the Water Security Division will enhance include awarding US $ 51 million in grants to National Rural Water Association, and awarding US $ 30 million in grants to district governments in support for the water quality safeguard. The new division also aims to foster an exchange of up-to-date threat and incident information between intelligence communities and water sectors.


Canada develops a new preventive program against environmental emergencies

Canada's Ministry of Environment introduced a new program to help commercial and industrial facilities prevent and better respond to environmental emergencies related to dangerous substances. The objective of the program is to provide Canadians with better understanding of the potential risks posed by dangerous substances so that they can effectively respond to a case of an emergency.


China takes further steps for building environment-friendly apartments by year 2005.

Following China's plan to build environment-friendly apartments, the Office of Real Estate Management in Shanghai announced the detailed construction regulations for: 1. site selection 2. energy-saving architecture 3. water quality 4. indoor air quality 5. materials and resources 6. waste collection and management