Posted by admin on November 1, 2022 · Leave a Comment
WASHINGTON (October 28, 2022) – As part of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) highlighted several federal enforcement actions completed from October 2021 through September 2022, as well as future planned investigations. These actions ensure that renovation contractors, landlords and realtors comply with rules that protect the public from exposure to lead from lead paint. By bringing companies into compliance with these rules, EPA protects future customers and their families.
Lead-contaminated dust from chipped or peeling lead-based paint in homes built prior to 1978 presents one of the most common causes of elevated blood lead levels in children. Infants and children are especially vulnerable to lead paint exposure because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults do, and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead.
“Because lead-based paint is the most common source of elevated blood lead levels in U.S. children, EPA is taking action against those who violate federal lead-based paint regulations and ensuring the public understands the danger of this hazard,” said Larry Starfield, EPA’s Acting Assistant Administrator for the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “The enforcement actions EPA took this past year send a clear message that EPA is committed to enforcing regulations designed to protect the public from lead-based paint exposure.”
Reduction of childhood lead exposures is a high priority for EPA. These enforcement actions reflect the agency’s continuing commitment to implementing the Federal Lead Strategy and EPA’s Lead Strategy and result in reducing or eliminating lead exposures, particularly to children.
Regulations under the federal Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (LHRA) apply to most pre-1978 dwellings and child-occupied facilities such as pre-schools and child-care centers. TSCA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP) and Lead-based Paint Activities Rule require contractor certification and lead-safe work practices. LHRA’s Section 1018 Lead Disclosure Rule requires disclosure of information about lead-based paint before the sale or lease of most housing built before 1978. By ensuring compliance with federal lead-based paint requirements, EPA addresses a major source of lead exposure that occurs in communities across the nation.
The cases below involve alleged noncompliance with at least one of these lead paint requirements. These cases highlight the range of the Agency’s work, including:
- criminal prosecution in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ),
- a focus on geographic areas that suffer from disproportionate levels of lead exposure, and
- bringing civil administrative actions against renovators with a far-reaching influence on the compliance landscape locally, regionally or nationwide.
By ensuring compliance with federal lead paint requirements, EPA strives to address major sources of lead exposure that occur throughout the nation and particularly in areas of environmental justice concern. In addition to EPA’s actions, the Agency supports states, tribes, and territories on the implementation and enforcement of the EPA-authorized lead-based paint programs.
Although the federal government banned residential use of lead-based paint in 1978, it persists in millions of older homes, sometimes under layers of new paint. Lead exposure, particularly at higher doses, continues to pose a significant health and safety threat to children, preventing them from reaching their fullest potential for their health, intellect, and future development. Even small amounts of lead dust can cause harm to children living in the home.
Case Highlights:
Two Chicks and a Hammer, Inc. of HGTV’s “Good Bones” Settle to Resolve Alleged Renovation, Violations
Warner Bros. Discovery Network’s “Maine Cabin Masters” Renovator Agrees to Include Lead Paint Compliance Information in Upcoming Episodes as Part of Settlement
GB Group, Inc. Settles to Resolve Alleged Renovation Violations
Property Management Firm Settles Alleged Lead Renovation and Asbestos Violations
Property Manager Sentenced for Failure to Properly Notify Tenants about Lead Hazards
Owner of Maryland Lead Inspection Company Sentenced
To see additional highlights of FY2022 enforcement actions involving lead, see EPA’s 2022 Lead Enforcement Bulletin.
Members of the public can help protect our environment by identifying and reporting environmental violations. Learn more about reporting environmental violations.
Healthy Home and Health Community Articles
Lead in Drinking Water and Impacts on Wildlife
Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral created by geochemical processes within our planet. Although infamous for its link to cancer, it also has many potential beneficial properties. The difficulty is to avoid the negative aspects of this potentially dangerous mineral while enjoying its positive aspects.
Radon – Radionuclides – Cancer (Polycythemia vera (pol-e-sy-THEE-me-uh VEER-uh)) – Radon is a gas produced by the radioactive decay of the element radium whose remote parent is either uranium or thorium
Forever Chemicals – What Are PFOA, PFOS, PFAS, and PFCs ? Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a grouping of man-made fluorinated organic chemicals that have a wide range of use in industrial application and commercial goods
Filed under asbestos, city water testing, Clean Water Act, Community Health, Contaminated water, corrosion, Environmental Health, healthy community, healthy water, Homeowner, lead, P473: Drinking Water Treatment Units – PFOA and PFOS, PFAS, pfos, Polycythemia vera, private well water testing, radon, radon in air, radon water, Water Testing, Well water testing · Tagged with asbestos, Cancer, copper, corrosion, forever chemicals, GenX, hazards, healthy community, healthy drinking water, healthy home, Lead, PFAS, PFCs, PFOA, PFOS, polyfluoroalkyl substances, Radon
Posted by admin on November 1, 2022 · Leave a Comment
Do you know an extraordinary individual working to confront the harms of fossil fuels and injustice in their community? We’ve extended the deadline to nominate environmental advocates and community activists for the Community Sentinel Award for Environmental Stewardship until November 4, 2022.
FracTracker Alliance created the Community Sentinel Award for Environmental Stewardship to celebrate individuals whose noble actions exemplify the transformative power of committed and engaged people. This year, in collaboration with our sponsors and partners, the award will be presented to multiple recipients at a virtual reception on Thursday, December 8, 2022. Tickets for the virtual ceremony are available now!
2022 Sentinel Award – Nomination Form
FracTracker Alliance created the Community Sentinel Award for Environmental Stewardship to celebrate individuals whose noble actions exemplify the transformative power of committed and engaged activists and advocates. In collaboration with our sponsors and partners, the Sentinel Awards are presented to multiple recipients at a virtual reception before fellow activists, allies and conspirators, all of whom are working towards a healthier and more just future.
Each awardee receives $1,000 and is recognized at the 8th annual Community Sentinel Awards ceremony, to be held virtually on Thursday, December 8th, 2022. We also welcome our partners and community members to submit the names of activists who have passed away over the last year, so that we may honor their lives and their work during the Legacy of Heroes presentation during the awards ceremony.
Eligibility criteria and nominate an environmental justice hero for the 2022 Community Sentinel Award by November 4, 2022.
Environmental Blog – Interesting Articles / Looking for Authors
Submit Your Environmental Organization to the Global Database
Dimock Pennsylvania – Well by Well Review – Natural, Natural Gas Developing, Fracking or something else.
Forever Chemicals – Frac Fluid, but many other sources (PFOA)
Interesting Online Training Course
Modern Shale Gas Development –The course provides an overview of modern shale gas development, as well as a summary of federal, state, and local regulations applicable to the natural gas production industry, and describes environmental considerations related to shale gas development.
Pipelines – Public Awareness – Gas pipeline safety is critical – not just for your employees but for public safety as well. Therefore, it is imperative that gas operators have an effective awareness program to inform the public; public officials; emergency responders; as well as excavators as to the location and safe work practices around gas pipelines and what to do in an emergency.
Filed under Community Health, Environmental Fear, Environmental Hazards, Environmental Health, Fossil Fuels, Global Warming, Greenhouse Gas, Nonprofits, pipelines, training, training continuing education, Unconventional Gas · Tagged with Dimock, drinking water contamination, Environmental Stewardship, fracking, FracTracker Alliance Community Sentinel Award, natural gas, Safe Drinking Water Act
Posted by admin on November 1, 2022 · Leave a Comment
“Public perception of freshwater is often dominated by visions of rivers and lakes. Groundwater is rarely a part of that imagination. Historically, it has been a hidden resource, and it remains so even now. The irony is that aquifers contain over 98% of Earth’s liquid freshwater.
Global and national water data are not very reliable. It is estimated that on a global basis, groundwater provides 36% of potable water, 24% of industrial water supply and 42% of water for irrigation. These estimates vary. In some countries, agriculture consumes the lion’s share of groundwater. Withdrawals from the Arabian aquifer system, for example, account for 84% of the region’s freshwater resources, most of which is used for farming. Human dependence on groundwater and the associated challenges varies considerably from one place to another, even within countries. Groundwater levels in some of the most densely populated river basins, such as the Indus and the Ganges-Brahmaputra basins in South Asia, have been plummeting. Groundwater’s invisibility and the lack of political interest are two key reasons that exploited aquifers are neither easy nor quick to remedy.”
by Asit Biswas
Read More – https://thewaternetwork.com/article-FfV/we-must-address-unsustainable-groundwater-management-Dzy5c_4XpAHdy70I_0mQ1w
Other Guides on Groundwater and Water
Water in the Universe -https://www.knowyourh2o.com/indoor-3/water-in-the-universe
The Water Cycle – https://www.knowyourh2o.com/outdoor-4/the-hydrological-cycle
Filed under environmental education, Groundwater, Groundwater Recharge, Sourcewater Protection, sustainability, water conservation · Tagged with climate change, drinking water, groundwater, Sustainability, sustainable engineering design, water cycle
Posted by admin on March 4, 2021 · Leave a Comment
PFAS Contamination and Cost Recovery
By NRWA Cheyenne
On March 4th, 2021
“This report contains important information on PFAS contamination and a cost recovery program for testing, treatment and remediation initiated by the National Rural Water Association on behalf of rural water and wastewater utilities across America.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that includes PFOA, PFOS, GenX, and many other chemicals. PFAS have been manufactured and used in a variety of industries around the globe, including in the United States since the 1940s. PFOA and PFOS have been the most extensively produced and studied of these chemicals. Both chemicals are very persistent in the environment and in the human body – meaning they do not break down and they can accumulate over time. There is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse human health effects like kidney damage, cancer, developmental effects to fetuses, and other illnesses.
In 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency lowered the health advisory level from 400 parts per trillion to 70 parts per trillion. Since that change was made, states have taken independent actions ranging from the adoption of the recommended health advisory level of 70 ppt to a much lower allowable level. As a result, systems of all sizes are experiencing increased cost for testing treatment and remediation. At the same time, the EPA has made PFAS contamination a priority and action has been taken to label PFAS as a hazardous substance. This will impact wastewater utilities and the disposal of bio-solids into a hazardous landfill if PFAS is detected.
In 2019, the National Rural Water Association recognized the financial burden on systems and joined the law office of Napoli Shkolnik PLLC to bring these systems together that have concerns or have been affected by PFAS contamination. This potential landmark contamination case could help water and wastewater systems recoup money spent on treatment and remediation. The sole purpose is to allow utilities the opportunity to recover their cost associated with testing, treatment and remediation with no upfront cost to the utility.
It is recommended that utilities register for cost recovery if they have tested and detected PFAS at any level or if the water source is near a potential PFAS contamination site. These sites include, but are not limited to, airports, military bases, fire training activity areas, landfills and/or manufacturing facilities. There are three key points to this action:
- The action is for cost recovery as opposed to punitive and is filed against the global manufacturers of the compounds, not any local companies who may have used them.
- There are no upfront costs to the utility to register for cost recovery.
- Once a settlement is reached, the utility has the option of accepting the settlement or declining.
Utilities can find more information about PFAS contamination here and register for cost recovery here.”
Note:
1. This is one reason the EPA should not set a formal standard.
2. The second reason – once it is removed from the water – where will it go and who will be responsible for this stuff??
3. Why we suggest ordering a Neighboorhood Hazard Reports
Informational PFAS Water Testing Program (PFAS PFOS Drinking Water Testing Forever Chemicals – PFOA, PFOS, Gen X Compounds in Drinking Water).
Get Treatment
EPA officials recommend NSF and ANSI Certified filters to reduce PFOA and PFOS. ” P473: Drinking Water Treatment Units – PFOA and PFOS — to verify a water treatment device’s ability to reduce perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) to below the health advisory levels set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).”
Treatment Options: (Point of Use Filters meets P473 and other standards)
Aquasana OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis Under Sink Water Filter System
AO Smith 2-Stage Under Sink Clean Water Faucet Filter – NSF Certified Carbon Block Drinking Water Filtration System
Filed under Environmental Health, foaming agents, NSF P473, P473: Drinking Water Treatment Units – PFOA and PFOS, PFAS, pfos, POE, reverse osmosis · Tagged with forever chemicals, GenX, NSF P473, Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS contamination, PFOA, PFOS, Point of Use Filters meets P473
Posted by admin on February 17, 2021 · Leave a Comment
One of the most important issues related to consumer products, the environment, and the public health is the new problem “forever chemicals” and a specific group called PFAS. PFAS are man-made per- and polyfluoroalkyls chemicals that includes PFOA, PFOS, GenX, and others. Starting in the 1940s, these chemicals have been manufactured around the world and these chemicals historically can be found in food packaging, commercial household and personal products, manufacturing and industrial facilities, waste discharges, landfill leachate, and firefighting products and clothing. At this moment, the PFOA Stewardship Program has phased out SOME of these PFAS chemicals so they are no longer manufactured in the United States.
But wait, we are a global community and these compounds can bioaccumulate and can now be found in the environment and US (That is right You and me!) and the available studies suggest that these PFAS chemicals (PFOA and PFOS) can adversely impact human health. In animal studies, these chemicals have shown to cause tumors, adversely impact the liver and kidney, reproductive system, impact developmental,
The most-studied PFAS chemicals are PFOA and PFOS. Studies indicate that PFOA and PFOS can cause reproductive and developmental, liver and kidney, and immunological effects in laboratory animals. Both chemicals have caused tumors in animals. Human epidemiology studies have shown these chemicals increased cholesterol levels and the available data suggests these compound also negative influence infant birth weights, reduced immune system, thyroid hormone, ulcerative colitis, and potentially cause cancer.
The routes of exposure to this compounds includes are work environment, foodborne routes, commercial products, and our drinking water. If you work in a facility using PFAS or producing products made with PFAS you can be exposed direct exposure or contaminated air. Foodborne routes included contaminated equipment used to process food, food packaging (coated cardboard / fast food paper), cookware (use PFOA Free Cookware) and/or the environment and conditions under which the food is grown. PFAS exposure can come from consumer products like water-repellent, nonstick cookware, stain-water repellants, cosmetics, cellphones, lubricants and much more. Since these chemicals are not routinely tested in drinking water and they are difficult to breakdown, PFAS has been found in drinking water sources that include streams, lakes, groundwater, well water, springs, and even city water. “Testing by the EPA has determined that 6.5 million people have been exposure to PFOA in their drinking water and the chemical has been detected in over 94 public water supplies in 31 different states” and in 2004 99.7% of Americans had detectable levels of PFOA in their body”. The EPA advisory limit, not enforceable, for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water at 70 parts per trillion (Update).
The Keystone Clean Water Teams goal is to provide resources to help you get your water tested and to provide fact based information. Since this testing is normally not readily available, we have partnered with a national testing company to provide you with some testing options. We are offering these 4 informational testing packages.
Go to ResinTech is a global leader in ion exchange for water purification, helping distributors and operators worldwide (Forever Chemical Testing)
Note: Informational Testing (Level 3): “Results are not intended to be used to meet any regulatory requirements or for litigation purposes. Results are for informational and educational purposes only and are useful in determining general water quality and safety”. “Laboratory tests were conducted by methods approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or variations of these EPA Methods”. Informational Water Testing conducted through a partnership between the Keystone Clean Water Team, B.F. Environmental Consultants, and Resin Tech Inc. The results of this testing are intended for an educational or informational purpose only and not used for a regulatory function or litigation. If you are looking for Well Water or City Water Testing.
Get Treatment
EPA officials recommend NSF and ANSI Certified filters to reduce PFOA and PFOS. ” P473: Drinking Water Treatment Units – PFOA and PFOS — to verify a water treatment device’s ability to reduce perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) to below the health advisory levels set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).”
Treatment Options: (Point of Use Filters meets P473 and other standards)
Aquasana OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis Under Sink Water Filter System
AO Smith 2-Stage Under Sink Clean Water Faucet Filter – NSF Certified Carbon Block Drinking Water Filtration System
Filed under Children's Health, city water testing, Environmental Health, Groundwater, Homeowner, Master Well Owner Program, microplastics, PFAS, pfos, private well water testing, reverse osmosis, Uncategorized, uranium, Water, Water Testing, Well, Well water testing · Tagged with beta, forever chemicals, GenX, gross alpha, NSF P473, perfluorooctane sulfonate, Perfluorooctanoic acid, PFAS Test Package, PFOA, PFOA and PFOS Testing Package, PFOA Free Cookware, PFOS, Point of Use Filters meets P473, Ultra Water Testing Package
Posted by admin on January 19, 2021 · Leave a Comment
Article for: private well owner, spring user, city water customer, regulated water supply, water utility customer, homeowner, landlord, tenant, drinking water
The Flint water crisis reportedly started in 2014 and ended in 2019, but in reality the “crisis” started prior to 2014 and probably has not ended. Why? The problem with corrosion within the water system and individual’s homes clearly started prior to 2014 and the customers and users within the system were not aware of the short-comings in their drinking water quality, the need for corrosion control, need to replace service laterals, plumbing within their homes, the need to be proactive in protecting your personal and families’ health, lack of public outreach and education, and not knowing the wrong signs of a corrosion problem The main purpose of this article is to help identify the warning signs of a potential corrosion problem with your drinking water. The signs of a corrosion problem come in many forms, but it is important for the user to take responsibility for keeping their eyes open. Corrosion of our drinking water supplies is a very common water quality and public health issue that is related to not only the raw water quality, level of pretreatment, status of the community distribution system, the internal plumbing for a building, the usage and management of water within the building, and the fixtures used within the system. This sounds overwhelming, but there are clear warning signs you may have a problems.
The most common signs of a problem with corrosion included the following:
- Blue-green or greenish water or even reddish brown or brown water that may be intermittent and worse in the hot water than the cold water.
- Staining of porcelain fixtures, such as sinks, drains, or tubs that appear green, blue-green, and reddish brown.
- Coatings on aeration devices that appears greenish-gray or bluish green and particles on the screen of the aerator that appear green, bluish-green, greenish-gray, reddish-brown, yellow-brown, or even bluish-gray.
- Discoloration of water piping near solder joints and/or pin-hole leaks in piping and the premature failure of water appliances and water heaters.
- Old piping in a home that may include lead pipes or piping that was installed using high lead solder, such as lead service lines and galvanized piping.
- The first flush of the water from the tap may have a bitter taste.
What is the age of your home, when was the house last remodeled, and the piping in your home?
YOUR household plumbing may be the cause for lead in your drinking water. In older homes, lead was used to make the piping and/or solder. In homes, built prior to 1930’s water pipes were primarily made from lead. These pipes can be identified because the piping tends to have a dull gray color, can be scratched with a key, and a magnet will not stick to the piping. In buildings built between the 1930’s and early 1980’s, copper pipes were often used, but the solder contained elevated levels of lead. The primary source of the lead includes the use of lead pipes, lead lined tanks, and use of 50/50 lead/tin solder. Because of the concern with lead, the EPA banned the use of high lead solders in 1986.
In the 1950’s and 1960’s galvanized water lines was utilized in new home construction. Currently, this type of piping is not widely used, but it is more commonly used with well water applications. This piping is steel piping that has a zinc coating to reduce the tendency for the piping to corrode. When this pipe corrodes, the pipe rust from the inside of the pipe and then works outward. When this occurs, the water may produce intermittent discolored water that tends to be brown, yellow, or reddish brown, and the piping will likely clog with rust and most likely collapse over time. This does not mean that a newer home is safe from lead contamination; in fact, the available data suggests that buildings less than 5 years old can have high levels of lead.
In fact, buildings built prior to 1986 likely contain some lead plumbing. Prior to 2014, the legal definition for “lead free” was plumbing fixtures with a lead content of less than 8 %. In 2014, the term was redefined to include only fixtures with a lead content of 0.25% and newly installed fixtures must use the “lead free” materials, but this did not apply to fixtures currently in use.
What You Can Do to Protect Yourself and Your Family?
After getting this information, you should do the following:
- Inspect your plumbing system for signs or evidence of a corrosion problem and low cost lead screening testing (water) or (paint,dust, soil).
- Take note of the visual and aesthetic signs of a corrosive water problem.
- Try our Free Drinking Water Diagnostic Tool.
- Order the Drinking Water Guide.
- Get Your Drinking Water Tested and the Results Reviewed by a Professional. At a minimum, we recommend the “Corrosion Check” Water Test Kit.
- Act to improve your drinking water quality by reporting problems to your local water authority for public water supplies or if your water comes from a private water source take the necessary action to reduce the risk to the health of yourself and your family and to reduce the potential costs associated with the premature failure and/or invalidating the warranty of water related appliances, water leaks and associated damage, and/or the additional operational costs associated with inefficiencies associated with clogged or corroded piping/equipment.
- Update fixtures and piping and consider the use of point-of-use filters or a whole-house water treatment system. Before installing a water treatment system, please get a comprehensive water quality test (City Water) or (Well Water).
Our Motto is ” Learn / Diagnose / Test “
Learn – learn about your source and system.
Diagnose – determine the warning signs or symptoms of a problem and get the water tested and problem diagnosed.
Test – implement an approach to mitigate the problem and test to make sure the problem is corrected.
Source: Oram, Brian; “Lead In Drinking Water – Is There Lead In My City Drinking Water ?”, Water Research Center / Know Your H20 Program, 2020.
Recommended Reading:
More on Lead
Filed under Children's Health, city water testing, Clean Water Act, Community Health, Contaminated water, Environmental Health, Environmental Law, Groundwater, Health, Home Inspectors, Homeowner, lead, Pennsylvania, Real Estate, Water Testing, water treatment systems, Well, Well water testing · Tagged with city water, copper, corrosive water, drinking water, drinking water problems, Lead
Posted by admin on January 13, 2020 · Leave a Comment
On September 19, 2019, the Pike County Conservation District hosted a 2-hour informational work and training session. The topic – Properly Maintaining Your On-Lot Septic System. In January 2020, I visited with Pike County and did a podcast. When Pike County Informs Me – I will post a link to the Podcast here. In the interim, this was the information on the September Talk.
To help Pike County residents keep local lakes and ponds clean, the Pike County Conservation District is hosting a free three-part workshop series titled “How your Backyard Activities Affect your Lake.”This is the third workshop in the series. It will be held at the Dingman Township Fire Hall, 680 Log Tavern Road. Presenter Brian Oram, a Professional Geologist with Water Research Center and B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc., will discuss the basic functionality of an on-lot system and best practices to help prevent water pollution.
During the session – Mr. Brian Oram promised to post a few items:
- Here is a color copy of the presentation septicsystemspresentation92019. Please note copyright terms and conditions.
- Here is a copy of a document the presenter found available on the local agency website on septic systems.
- The Keystone Clean Water Team on-line store, get a copy of our educational booklet, order a neighborhood hazard report, mail order water testing program, at-home water screening and more.
- Keystone Clean Water Team new diagnostic tool and free phone app for drinking water issues. Go To – http://www.drinkingH20app.com
Other Training On Septic Systems (ONLINE)
1. EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment: Systems Management
2. EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment: Processes and Systems
Reading Recommendations
Filed under Climate, climate change, Community Health, environmental education, Environmental Fear, Environmental Hazards, Environmental Law, Groundwater, Groundwater Recharge, Pennsylvania, Pike County, septic system, shock well disinfection, wastewater, Water Testing, water treatment systems, watershed, Well water testing · Tagged with conservation measures, drinking water quality, groundwater quality, Pike County drinking water, Pike County pod cast, septic systems, Water Testing, well management, well water
Posted by admin on December 27, 2019 · Leave a Comment
The Keystone Clean Water Team with assistance from B.F. Environmental Consultants, Inc and the Water Research Center have developed and updated 2 phone apps. The apps work on both the Android and the Apple iphone platform. Know Your H2O? is an educational tool that can help you diagnose the problem with your water. This app will lead you through a series of questions to pinpoint the issues with your water. Unlike other apps that just remind you to drink water, these apps actually help to diagnose a water quality problem and/or provide insight into water quality contaminants may be a concern based on a variety of activities.
Know Your H2O
Know Your H2O? is an educational tool that can help you diagnose the problem with your water. This app will lead you through a series of questions to pinpoint the issues with your water. You can reach your diagnosis through describing symptoms that are effecting your home, your health, or the water itself. Once you receive your diagnosis result(s), the app is designed to educate you by displaying full lists of symptoms, causes, and solutions, as well as links to other educational sources. The app will then show you various testing kit options specifically designed to treat those results. If the problem is more extensive and in depth testing is required, Know Your H2O? will also connect you with featured local professionals. What’s in YOUR Water?
Recommendation: Wells and Septic Systems Paperback
This app was replaced by a new drinking water diagnostic tool.
PA Baseline Testing
The PA Baseline Testing mobile app is an educational tool for residents of Pennsylvania who are impacted by Oil & Gas Development, Subsurface Coal Development, and other common environmental hazards. By selecting which factor impacts your region, you can discover various Recommendations and Tiers of water testing that can help bring you piece of mind about the safety of your drinking water. Got Data? You can also submit your own testing data and results to help continue to build the PA Clean Water Team’s database.
To learn more go to Download the Free Drinking Water Quality Mobile Apps
Pennsylvania Baseline Water Testing Kit Options –
Baseline Water Testing Kits
Filed under city water testing, Clean Water Act, Community Health, environmental education, Environmental Hazards, Environmental Health, Groundwater, Water, Water Testing, Well, Well water testing · Tagged with benefits of drinking water, contaminated drinking water, contaminated water mobile app, dihydrogen monoxide, drinking water, drinking water apps, drinking water quality, H20, H2O, Know Your H20?, mobile apps, water, water professional tools
Posted by admin on January 7, 2014 · Leave a Comment
blog.pennlive.com/pa-sportsman/2014/01/penn_state_surveys_roadside_springs_grouse_meeting_and_more_outdoor_insider.html
By Marcus Schneck | mschneck@pennlive.com
January 05, 2014
Nearly all of the 35 roadside springs across Pennsylvania – all heavily used for drinking water supplies – checked by researchers in a Penn State Extension survey failed at least one drinking water standard. Roadside springs are a common source of drinking water in Pennsylvania, but little is known about the quality of the water. Penn State Water Resources Extension Educators Jim Clark and Diane Oleson surveyed the springs to determine the drinking water. The 35 roadside springs included in the survey were mostly located within PennDOT road rights-of-ways in 19 counties. Water samples were collected by seven Penn State Water Resources Extension Educators between April and August of 2013. Each sample was analyzed for 20 common inorganic and microbiological water quality parameters by the Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory at Penn State.
Overall, 97 percent of the roadside springs failed at least one drinking water standard. The most common health-related pollutants were coliform bacteria (91 percent), E. coli bacteria (34 percent) and lead (3 percent). Other common pollutants that could cause various tastes or other aesthetic issues included corrosive water (89 percent), low pH (40 percent), sediment (31 percent), iron (6 percent) and manganese (6 percent). Several pollutants were not found in any of the springs in excessive concentrations including aluminum, nitrate, arsenic, barium, copper and chloride. Clark and Oleson suggest that these results should provide caution for anyone currently collecting and drinking water from a roadside spring.
Volunteer
We seek new people at all skill levels for a variety of programs. One thing that everyone can do is attend meetings to share ideas on improving CCGG, enabling us to better understand and address the concerns of well owners.
Everything we do began with an idea.
We realize your time is precious and the world is hectic. CCGG’s volunteers do only what they’re comfortable with. It can be a little or a lot.
For more information, please go to CCGG’s About Page or contact us.
Carbon County Groundwater Guardians is a 501(c)(3) IRS approved nonprofit, volunteer organization and your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Unsolicited donations are appreciated.
Help the Organization and Get Your Water Tested or Order the Private Well Owner Guide (proceeds benefit This Organization).
Posted by admin on August 28, 2013 · Leave a Comment
Penn State Extension and MWON Promote National Protect Your Groundwater Day—September 10, 2013
Penn State Extension and the Master Well Owner Network are excited to announce a variety of educational efforts in recognition of the National Ground Water Association’s Protect Your Groundwater Day on September 10, 2013.
A live webinar will be broadcast from 12:00 to 1:00 PM entitled Strategies to Protect Private Wells and Springs in Pennsylvania to highlight basic management strategies that homeowners can use to protect their drinking water. The webinar will also highlight numerous Penn State publications and web tools that are available to private water well and spring owners. The live webinar can be viewed at
< https://meeting.psu.edu/water1 >
During the evening of September 10, Penn State water resources educators will present a Safe Drinking Water Clinic in Ebensburg, PA for water well and spring owners. This will be the first in a series of Safe Drinking Water Clinics which will be offered around the state in the next 12 months.
More information about this online course can be found at:
< http://extension.psu.edu/water/mwon >
The Penn State Extension Water Resources team along with Master Well Owners provide education and assistance for thousands of private water well and spring owners across Pennsylvania each year. Tune in on September 10 to learn more about our resources and how to protect your groundwater!
To learn more about the National Ground Water Association and Protect Your Groundwater Day, visit their website at:
< http://www.ngwa.org/Events-Education/groundwater-day/ >
To celebrate National Protect Groundwater Day – The Carbon County Groundwater Guardians will be participating in the PA Energy Games in Hughesville, PA on September 7, 2013. We will have information on private wells, groundwater, alternative energy, conservation and Biomass. Stop by and Say Hello !
Support the Local Groundwater Education – Get Your Water Tested !
For information about Carbon County’s Groundwater Guardian activities, contact the Us.
Volunteer
We seek new people at all skill levels for a variety of programs. One thing that everyone can do is attend meetings to share ideas on improving CCGG, enabling us to better understand and address the concerns of well owners.
Everything we do began with an idea.
We realize your time is precious and the world is hectic. CCGG’s volunteers do only what they’re comfortable with. It can be a little or a lot.
For more information, please go to CCGG’s About Page or contact us.
Carbon County Groundwater Guardians is a 501(c)(3) IRS approved nonprofit, volunteer organization and your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.. Unsolicited donations are appreciated.
Help the Organization and Get Your Water Tested or Order the Private Well Owner Guide (proceeds benefit This Organization).
