Posted by Brian on October 4, 2019 · Leave a Comment
Well Water Safety
If your water comes from a private well, you know that the safety of your drinking water is up to you. Most states have regulations related to private well construction and placement and a few states have regulations that quality of water from the private well water or require that the water is regularly checked. The CDC and EPA does recommend that you test your well water at least once a year. You may want to check the quality of your water more often if there are known problems with wells in your area or if you have experienced any flooding or land disturbances near your well. Indications of a change in water quality include cloudiness, odor, and unusual taste and if you interested we helped develop a Know Your H20 phone app and the Water Diagnostic Web App.
Another low cost option for tracking your water quality is the use of the TestAssured’s Well Water Testing Kit. This kit is a great screening test to help you determine the quality of your water by you running a screening test in your own home. This single kit includes all of the following water tests:
• Chlorine
• Copper
• Nitrates & Nitrites
• Iron
• Alkalinity
• pH
• Hardness
• Bacteria (total coliform)
Specially designed for people on well water, the Well Water Testing Kit includes 8 tests for a complete water analysis. You’ll be able to identify the presence of chemicals, metals, and even bacteria like E. coli. These easy to use tests will give you results within 10 minutes, with the exception of the bacteria test which takes 48 hours for full results. There’s no need for expensive equipment or to mail samples to a lab. Each test is calibrated to the EPA standards. Once you have your results, compare them to the EPA recommendations and guidelines for water quality limits.
If you are looking for well water testing, check out the NTL Program and Tap Score.
Recommended Reading:
Wells and Septic Systems Paperback
Filed under Children's Health, city water testing, Clean Water Act, Community Health, Contaminated water, Groundwater, Health, private well water testing · Tagged with alkalinity, bacteria, copper, E. coli, hardness, iron, nitrate, nitrite, pH, total coliform, well water inhome screenig test
Posted by Brian on September 22, 2019 · 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
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.
Other Training On Septic Systems (ONLINE)
1. EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment: Systems Management
2. EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment: Processes and Systems
Books
Wells and Septic Systems Paperback
The Septic System Owner’s Manual Paperback
Harvest the Rain, How to Enrich Your Life by seeing Every Storm as a Resource
Filed under city water testing, Clean Water Act, Community Health, environmental education, Environmental Hazards, Health, Homeowner, Master Well Owner Program, onlot wastewater, Pennsylvania, private well water testing, septic system, training, training continuing education, wastewater, Water, water conservation, Water Testing, Well water testing · Tagged with bacteria, dingman township, dirty streams, disease, lake management, milford, nitrates, pike county, pike county conservation distict, pristine streams, septic system, stream ecology, waterborne illness, well water
Posted by Brian on July 13, 2019 · Leave a Comment
The Keystone Clean Water Team has been involved in watershed training and citizen based science programs since the foundation of the organization. We have conducted rain barrel workshops, training sessions on low impact development and rural/urban landowner stormwater management, citizen science and stream and lake monitoring programs, education on conservation of water, resources, and energy, private well owner outreach, groundwater/watershed education, and stream and watershed assessments.
In June and July of 2019, we were asked by the Penn State Master Watershed Steward Program to conduct 2 training sessions for their education efforts.
Program 1: “Earth- Was Not Always a Big Blue Ball”
Program 2: “Pennsylvania – Balancing Natural Gas/Development/ Groundwater and the Environment ”
If you are looking for other resources on these topics, please consider the following:
Educational Booklet on Drinking Water In Pennsylvania
Know Your H20 Store – Neighborhood Hazard Reports (Nationwide) and Water Testing Services
Interesting Reading: The Poisoned City: Flint’s Water
Training Courses
Natural Gas and Fracking – Environmental Consequences
Stream Restoration (Course 1 of 6)
Stream Monitoring Program – Use our Surface Water Quality Index Calculator (give your stream or surface water a Grade)
You can find information on the Penn State Master Watershed Steward program was established to educate and empower volunteers to protect environmental resources. Training and volunteer service are coordinated at the county level by extension staff, partners, or trained volunteers. Generally 15-20 people are selected for the program each year. Those accepted to the program attend training classes that focus on a broad range of water resource topics, including groundwater, stream ecology, wetlands, invasive plants, water recreation and stormwater management. There is a one-time registration cost to those accepted into the program. This is to cover the cost of the manual, name tag, and cost of the meeting facilities. Master Watershed Stewards work with the community to improve the health of our streams, rivers and other natural resources.
Example projects
- Organizing educational events such as rain barrel building workshops and seminars on backyard stormwater management.
- Participating in stream restoration projects.
- Sampling water quality and stream assessments.
- Coordinating and conducting stream clean-ups.
- Working with municipal officials on stormwater.
- Planning and carrying out habitat improvement projects.
- Teaching adults and children about the environment.
On Climate, I do recommend:
The Politically Incorrect Guide to Climate Change (The Politically Incorrect Guides)
Global Warming-Alarmists, Skeptics and Deniers: A Geoscientist Looks at the Science of Climate Change Paperback – Illustrated, January 20, 2012.
Filed under acid mine drainage, Alternative Energy, city water testing, Climate, climate change, Conservation District, Contaminated water, Global Warming, Greenhouse Gas, Groundwater, Homeowner, Master Well Owner Program, private well water testing, PSU, stormwater, stream restoration, training continuing education, Unconventional Gas, volunteer, Water, water conservation, Water Testing, watershed, Well water testing · Tagged with citizen science, conservation, Flint michigan, geology, groundwater, lake monitoring, natural gas, Penn State Master Watershed Steward, stormwater management, stream monitoring, training, water cycle
Posted by Brian on February 14, 2019 · 1 Comment
Andrew Wheeler, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s acting administrator, unveiled the Agency’s PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) action plan to address growing concerns around tainted drinking water and groundwater nationwide during a news conference on February 14 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
In his address, Wheeler indicated the EPA will propose a regulatory determination, which is the next step in the Safe Drinking Water Act process, for establishing a federal maximum contaminant limit (MCL) for PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) by the end of 2019. Wheeler also said the Agency would continue its enforcement actions, clarify remediation strategies, expand monitoring of PFAS in the environment, and enhance the research and science for addressing the contaminants by developing new analytical methods and tools. The EPA’s current health advisory level for PFAS is 70 parts per trillion.
The National Ground Water Association applauds the EPA’s decision to move forward with the MCL process for PFOA and PFOS and urges the Agency to rely on sound science to make the determination as promptly as is feasible. Moving towards establishing an MCL will provide the national certainty required to ensure effective clean-up at sites around the country.
“PFAS contamination is a national crisis that requires national leadership, and the EPA’s announcement is an important step in providing that leadership,” said Lauren Schapker, government affairs director at NGWA. “As the EPA begins implementation of the PFAS management plan, NGWA will continue to work with the Agency to address the unique challenges facing rural areas and private well owners, and to ensure the technical and financial resources are made available to address the crisis.”
…..
PFAS / PFOS Drinking Water Testing of YOUR Water !
PFAS has been on NGWA’s radar for several years and will remain a priority issue for the foreseeable future. The Association has created a Groundwater and PFAS resource center for NGWA members. The center includes PFAS FAQs, top 10 facts about PFAS, and a homeowner checklist, among other items. NGWA is also the publisher of the guidance document, Groundwater and PFAS: State of Knowledge and Practice.
As in 2018, NGWA is hosting educational events on PFAS this year as well:
- PFAS in Groundwater Workshop: The Professional’s Challenge, June 18 in Westerville, Ohio
- The PFAS Management, Mitigation, and Remediation Conference, June 19-20 in Westerville, Ohio
- PFAS in Groundwater Workshop: The Professional’s Challenge, December 5 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Full Article
We are recommending the installation of a final barrier filter on your drinking water and you should learn more about the consumer products that contain PFOA and PFOS, because it is not just your drinking water.
Filed under Children's Health, city water testing, Clean Water Act, Community Health, Environmental Hazards, Environmental Health, Groundwater, Health, PFAS, pfos, POE, Sludge, Sourcewater Protection, Water, Water Testing, Well water testing · Tagged with groundwater pfas, NSF 401, NSF 42, NSF 53, NSF 58, NSF P473, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, Perfluorooctanoic acid, PFOA, PFOS
Posted by Brian on February 14, 2019 · Leave a Comment
EPA suggests consumers have water tested and use certified in-home filtration to remove or reduce levels of these toxic chemicals
LISLE, Ill. – The Water Quality Association supports the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) taking steps toward setting a safety threshold for highly toxic drinking water contaminants known as PFAS. Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler on Thursday outlined a plan that addresses drinking water and cleanup concerns as well as monitoring of PFAS, expanding research and improving enforcement.
“We are encouraged that the EPA is continuing to move forward with establishing a consistent standard across the country for these dangerous chemicals,” said WQA Global Government Affairs Director David Loveday. “We strongly support the action plan’s recommendations that consumers have their drinking water checked by a certified laboratory and then use certified in-home filtration to remove or reduce any chemicals found.”
In September, a letter from WQA supporting further study of human health risks of PFAS contamination and using in-home treatment technologies to combat them was introduced into testimony before a U.S. House Energy and Commerce subcommittee. Research shows POU/POE treatment “can be used to successfully treat for these contaminants at the home or in a building,” said the letter from WQA Executive Director Pauli Undesser. “They cost only a fraction of the price our society would need to bear to upgrade our drinking water treatment plants for PFAS removal.”
Last May, Loveday and WQA Technical Affairs Director Eric Yeggy took part in the EPA’s PFAS National Leadership Summit, which called for a national management plan.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known collectively as PFAS, are man-made chemicals found in such things as firefighting foams and stain-resistant, waterproof and nonstick coatings. Because they break down slowly, if at all, they have turned up in drinking water systems across the nation in varying levels. Some individual states have begun regulating the chemicals.
For individuals concerned about PFAS, the EPA Plan states:
“The EPA recommends contacting your state for a list of laboratories that are certified to test for PFAS using EPA Method 537. If you find PFAS in your drinking water, certain PFAS can be reduced or removed through the use of in-home point-of-use or point-of-entry water filters. It is important to keep in mind that any in-home treatment device should be certified by an independent party.”
In-home technologies such as reverse osmosis, carbon filtration and anion exchange have been independently tested and proven to be a successful final barrier to treat drinking water for PFAS.
WQA is a non-for-profit, accredited independent third-party certification body by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Standards Council of Canada. WQA’s website provides additional information on PFAS chemicals and product certification.
As part of its annual DC Fly-In and the Water Resources Congressional Summit on March 5 and 6, WQA members and staff will discuss PFAS in meetings with Congressional and federal agency staffs. Fly-In registration is open through Friday, Feb. 15.
WQA is a not-for-profit trade association representing the residential, commercial, and industrial water treatment industry. WQA’s education and professional certification programs have been providing industry-standardized training and credentialing since 1977. The WQA Gold Seal certification program has been certifying products that contribute to the safe consumption of water since 1959. The WQA Gold Seal program is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Standards Council of Canada (SCC).
pfas_fact_sheet_history_and_use__11_13_17
Water Testing Links
PFAS and GenX Water Testing
Microplastics in Water
Filed under city water testing, Clean Water Act, Community Health, consumer products, Contaminated water, Environmental Hazards, foaming agents, PFAS, plastics, POE, Water Testing, Well water testing · Tagged with drinking water, EPA Method 537, er- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, firegighting foams, in-home filtration, nonsitck coatings, PFAS, pFAS in commerical products, stain-resistant, water quality association, WQA
Posted by Brian on January 2, 2019 · Leave a Comment
We found an interesting educational and information tool for 2019 – The Drip Calculator
“Have a Leaky Faucet? Find Out How Much Your Wasting.
Dealing with a pesky dripping faucet? It may be more than just a minor annoyance. While that constant drip can go unnoticed or be ignored over time, it can start to add up for your wallet. With every drop down the drain, you’re throwing money away! While a small leak may seem like a harmless plumbing issue, it can actually cost you big time if not fixed in a timely manner. ”
10 drips per minute – 5.45 liters per day (1 liter = 0.26 gallons). You are wasting 1.3 gallons per day, 39 gallons per month (30 days) and , 474.5 gallons per year per faucet.
Learn More
Please do not forget to get your drinking water tested, it is really up to you to Know Your H20 !
Leaky pipes may also be a sign of a water quality related problem, such as corrosion, elevated level of trace metals, biological contamination, or other environmental hazards that can impact the aesthetic quality and the safety of your drinking water.
Filed under Children's Health, city water testing, Clean Water Act, conservation, consumer products, environmental education, Hydration, Water, water conservation · Tagged with bacteria, corrosion, leaky pipes, metal, water conservation
Posted by Brian on December 18, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Interesting article – “Newark said its water was safe, but email reveals it was warned of problems months ago”.
“City officials in Newark said they learned in October that lead water contamination wasn’t just affecting a dozen homes, but was a “widespread problem,” potentially impacting as many as 40,000 residents. But, a newly-released email shows officials were warned at least seven months earlier — months they spent insisting the water was “absolutely safe to drink,” and assuring residents that the issue was confined to a small number of homes.
Beginning in April of this year, through messages on its website and in public statements, the city blamed old infrastructure for elevated lead levels in tap water samples. New court records in an ongoing federal lawsuit over the city’s lead problem, however, show a consultant pointed to another cause: Newark’s water treatment at one of its plants no longer appeared to work — an early sign that the issue could be widespread.
CDM Smith, the consultant hired by Newark to study how the city was treating its water, submitted its draft report in October but shared its initial findings with three officials as early as February, records show.
In a Feb. 22 email to the city’s top water department officials — including then-director Andrea Hall Adebowale and then-deputy director Kareem Adeem — the consultant said a preliminary review showed Newark’s method of preventing lead from corroding off old plumbing and dissolving into the distribution system “has not been effective.””
Read More
Our Take
- Identifing and fixing system wide water distribution problems related to corrsion is not fast or easy.
- Part of the problem may be your own household plumbing, fixtures, and service lines – have a plumber check your piping.
- In my opinion, it is the user that will first notice a problem. These problems could be identified as a blue-green coating of aerators, blue green water, a metallic taste, and in the extreme corrosion and leaky pipes.
- Check your home for lead paint and dust hazards.
- We strongly recommend all water users to due the following:
- Order and have some easy to use self water testing kits.
- Consider using a point-of-use drinking water filter to polish your water.
- Know Your H20 – Get your water check by a laboratory at least annually.
Recommending Reading and More.
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Recommending Household Testing
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Filed under Children's Health, city water testing, Clean Water Act, Environmental Hazards, Environmental Health, Home Inspectors, Homeowner, lead, Water, Water Testing, Well water testing · Tagged with corrosion, Lead, lead in blood, lead paint, lead pipes, newark drinking water, water quality
Posted by Brian on December 4, 2018 · Leave a Comment
“NSF/ANSI 401: Emerging Compounds
NSF/ANSI 401 addresses the ability of a water treatment device to remove up to 15 individual contaminants (listed below), which have been identified in published studies as occurring in drinking water. While not a public health issue, the contaminants covered in NSF/ANSI 401 have been detected in drinking water supplies at trace levels and can affect some consumers’ perception of drinking water quality. (NSF/ANSI 401 also applies to reverse osmosis (RO) water treatment.)
Prescription Drugs
- Meprobamate: a compound found in anti-anxiety drugs.
- Phenytoin: an anti-epileptic drug.
- Atenolol: a beta blocker drug.
- Carbamazepine: an anti-convulsant and mood-stabilizing drug.
- Trimethoprim: an antibiotic medication.
- Estrone: a prescription birth control drug.
Over-the-Counter Medications
- Ibuprofen: an over-the-counter pain reliever and anti-inflammatory medication.
- Naproxen: an over-the-counter pain reliever and anti-inflammatory medication.
Herbicides and Pesticides
- DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide): a pesticide and common active ingredient in insect repellents.
- 401: an organic compound that is widely used as an herbicide.
- Linuron: an herbicide often used in the control of grasses and weeds.
Chemical Compounds
- TCEP (Tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate): a chemical compound used as a flame retardant, plasticizer and viscosity regulator in various types of polymers including polyurethanes, polyester resins and polyacrylates.
- TCPP (Tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate): a chemical compound used as a flame retardant.
- BPA (Bisphenol A): a chemical compound used as a plasticizer.
- Nonyl phenol: a collection of compounds often used as a precursor to commercial detergents.”
Get Your Water Tested
National Testing Laboratory – Water Testing Options
Tap Score – Water Testing Options
Filed under city water testing, Contaminated water, environmental education, Uncategorized, Water, Water Testing, Well water testing · Tagged with Atenolol, Bisphenol A, Carbamazepine, DEET, emerging compounds, Estrone, Meprobamate, Metolachlor, NSF 401, PFOS, Phenytoin, point of use, Trimethoprim, Tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate, Tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate, water treatment
Posted by Brian on November 13, 2018 · Leave a Comment
“(CNN)For 10 years, some residents in Denmark, South Carolina, have been suspicious of the rust-colored water coming from their taps. They’ve been collecting samples in jars and using bottled or spring water, even though the local and state government assured them it was safe.
But through a Freedom of Information Act request and a one-year investigation, CNN has found new information that may cast doubts on those assurances. The state government was adding a substance to one of the city’s four wells, trying to regulate naturally occurring iron bacteria that can leave red stains or rust-like deposits in the water. The substance, known as HaloSan, was not approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency to disinfect drinking water.”
Filed under Children's Health, city water testing, Clean Water Act, Contaminated water, environmental education, Environmental Fear, Environmental Hazards, Water Testing · Tagged with Denmark, Lead, red staining, rust-like, south carolina, water
Posted by Brian on November 11, 2018 · Leave a Comment
When reviewing some old video, I came across a combative interview I watched in the mid 90s on the “Water Cure” by Mr. Bob Butts. It got my attention because I was just diagnosed with “early” stage high blood pressure and have been an advocate for getting your drinking water tested. To be honest, it was his passion on the issues of that encourage me to follow a path that includes the issues of water. Mr. Butts Hydration so I though it might be nice to post a short story with additional information. He was a hydration advocate. I think I meet Mr. Butts when I did a “Call the Doctor Show” in 1990’s. He was not on the show, but he was in the studio.
“Bob Butts, owner of Cee-Kay Auto Parts stores in Kingston, Wilkes-Barre, Pittston, Moosic and Scranton, died Monday at his home in Old Forge. He was 83. Although Butts was an auto parts dealer, he spent a fortune trying to cure people’s health problems. For years, he spent hundreds of thousands of dollars advertising what he believed to be the cure for every illness. His recommended cure involved drinking an ounce of water for every two pounds a person weighs, using one-quarter teaspoon of sea salt for each quart of water and avoiding alcohol, soda and caffeine.”
I think the video “Titled: From the Grave” is a good start.
What is the water cure ?
“The Water Cure is a natural health care or holistic treatment that helps your body find homeostasis (its natural balance) so that you can have your optimal (best) health. It is the first of several important steps you need to do to correct things that may be causing you to have various diseases and conditions.It is also the most important thing you can do to maintain your best health. This is why this site is dedicated to the curative properties of water and electrolytes (salt, magnesium, potassium and others).”
I would suggest the following – watch the following two videos
WYOU Interview – Part 1
WYOU Interview- Part 2
Let me be get this straight I am not sure if drinking more water with salt is the answer, but it is clear that proper hydration is key.
I will end with these quotes:
“You’re not sick; you’re thirsty. Don’t treat thirst with medication.” Dr. F. Batmanghelidj
I will add to this – “Some of the time when You feel hungry, your not hungry; you’re thirsty. ”
Brian Oram, PG – NO MD – Have a Blessed Day! Safe Journey
Please get your drinking water tested – it does not do you any good to drink water that contains elevated levels of trace metals, organics, and synthetic organics.
Filed under "Beneficial Use", Arsenic, Autoimmune, Cancer, Children's Health, city water testing, Community Health, consumer products, Contaminated water, Health, Hydration, The Water Cure, tick lyme disease, Water Testing, Well water testing · Tagged with Bob Butts, Dr. F. Batmanghelidj, hydration, salt, salt water, water cure
