That new flat-screen TV, it turns out, needs not just a wall outlet and a cable connection but also its own water supply to get going. That’s why Poland Spring water was so popular in Boston and New York even a century ago -- it was safe. Philadelphia is just one of many cities whose sewage system, a hundred years ago, emptied into a river upstream of the city water supply intakes from the same river.) We are entering a new era of water scarcity -- not just in traditionally dry or hard-pressed places like the U.S. What happens when we run out of water? MORE >>

The Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank reported that its business activity index dropped to 8.0 The survey covers factories in eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware. The report follows on Monday that showed manufacturing growth in New York state increased only slightly in June. An economic report issued today suggests that the economic recovery in manufacturing may be slowing. in June from May's 21.4. Economists had forecasted a much higher reading. industrial distribution indusrial manufacturing economy MORE >>

In other news, manufacturing activity in the New York and Philadelphia regions grew at slower paces this month, according to the New York Fed’s Empire State Index, which covers manufacturing activity in New York, northern New Jersey, and southern Connecticut, and the Philadelphia Fed’s general economic index. The Philadelphia index fell to 5.1 Slight drop in manufacturing production is no cause for alarm, analysts say U.S. Production at factories, mines, and utilities rose 0.1%, following a 1.3% gain in May. MORE >>

new orders index fell to 53.1 The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s general economic index contracted this month for the first time in a year, while the New York Fed’s gauge rose less than forecast. skip to main | skip to sidebar Distribution Update Wednesday, September 1, 2010 Manufacturing grew more than expected in August The factory growth surprises many economists Manufacturing in the U.S. expanded at a faster pace than many had forecast in August, rising for the 13th consecutive month. from 55.5 in July, the group said today. from 57.0%. MORE >>

in August Excluding transportation, new orders rose 2% Orders for U.S.-made Excluding automotive and aircraft, new orders rose 2%. Manufacturing has been slowing down , according to other recent surveys.Factories in the New York region expanded in September at the slowest pace this year, while manufacturing in the Philadelphia area contracted for a second month, according to regional Fed surveys. skip to main | skip to sidebar Distribution Update Friday, September 24, 2010 Durable goods orders drop 1.3% made durable goods fell 1.3% in the prior month. in July. MORE >>