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
Posted by Brian on October 25, 2018 · Leave a Comment
President signs water infrastructure legislation advancing NGWA key policy priorities
President Donald J. Trump signed into law the America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) on October 23, a re-authorization of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) combined with legislation building on the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Doing so provides support to several programs including flood control, water storage, and drinking water programs.
NGWA CEO Terry S. Morse, CIC, hailed the legislation’s passage, calling it “a validation of the collective efforts made by NGWA volunteers to promote the importance of investing in groundwater.”
AWIA was passed overwhelmingly by the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate in September. Typically, WRDA legislation has a narrow focus on navigation, dams, and levees, but after concerted efforts by NGWA and other organizations, the AWIA legislation includes a significant number of provisions affecting drinking water programs.
NGWA’s top priorities in AWIA:
- Drinking Water Infrastructure: Authorizes increased funding for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. DWSRF funds can be used for a range of purposes including supporting construction, upgrading, and maintenance of rural infrastructure such as wells and well systems.
- $1.174 billion FY2019
- $1.3 billion FY2020
- $1.95 billion FY2021
- Groundwater Recharge: Re-authorization of the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFA) program for two years at $50 million per year, which finances large projects like managed aquifer recharge projects. The legislation also removes the “pilot” designation of the program.
- PFAS: Requires water systems serving more than 3,300 people to monitor for unregulated contaminants.
- Resilience Planning: Provides funds to water systems to develop resilience plans to address extreme weather.
Passage of AWIA highlights the effectiveness of NGWA advocacy as several provisions NGWA advocated for during the NGWA Groundwater Fly-In in 2016, 2017, and 2018 were signed into law on October 23.
For more NGWA Government Affairs information, including details of the 2019 NGWA Groundwater Fly-In, visit: https://www.ngwa.org/get-involved/advocacy.
Blog Post related to Social Justice, Climate, Water Infrastructure and the Water Professional.
Just a few points:
For Professionals and Planners
- Please remember we must work with the processes on Planet Earth and not against them and we need to ADAPT!
- We must start being honest, the biggest problem or concern is not carbon dioxide or methane emissions, but inefficiency, building in the wrong areas (like floodplains, unstable ground, and land that is actively sinking.)
- We must consider water as a resource in all its forms. So instead of stormwater, wastewater, drinking water, we have to consider this as a resource to reuse, promote groundwater recharge, and stop water mining and over allocations.
- Education – Continuing Education Courses and PDH Credits
For Public and Citizen Scientist
- We must remember that water is not the only path for contamination migration and many times we are are the last line of defense and it is our home environment and the consumer products and lifestyle that plays a major role.
- We recommend, the following:
Sustainable Infrastructure & Resilience Webinar Series
NCSE, Arizona State University School of Sustainability, and the Security and Sustainability Forum are hosting a series of webinars in a lead up to the NCSE 2019 Annual Conference. The first webinar focused on Actionable Science Solutions for Local Resilience. Speakers shared successful practices at the local science-policy intersect and explored the role of universities in local resilience. Learn more and watch the webinar recording.
Filed under career, Children's Health, city water testing, Clean Water Act, Community Health, Contaminated water, Drought, engineering applications, environmental education, Environmental Law, environmental management, environmental politics, Groundwater Recharge, PFAS, Water Testing, webinars · Tagged with Americas Water Infrastructure Act, AWIA, drinking water, environmental engineering, flood control, NGWA, resilience webinar, Safe Drinking Water Act, Sustainable Infrastructure, Terry Morse, Water Resources Development Act, water storage, WRDA
Posted by Brian on October 21, 2018 · Leave a Comment
For some reason, this year we received a lot of questions from individuals looking to purchase or install a reverse osmosis treatment system. The first question they all ask was about the features, models, and other details, but none answer the question why? What was the problem or purpose? They assumed they needed this system.
So my questions went as follows:
Question 1: Why? What is the Problem – their answer in all cases was they thought it would be better.
Answer 1: They all thought they needed to install a reverse osmosis unit on their drinking water to protect their family. They did not identify a problem such as salty water, metallic taste, etc. When this happens, my first assumption is something went wrong somewhere or there is a new water treatment ad on TV pushing citizens to drink “Pure Water”, i.e., H20 or dihydrogen monoxide, only. First – Drinking absolutely pure water for the long-term is not wise.
Question 2: Where does your water originate? Well water, City or Public water, or shared spring.
Answer 2: 80% said city or public water, 10 % said private well, and 10% said a local spring.
For the city and public water users, I said it was unlikely you needed a reverse osmosis unit because your source is regulated and must meet the state and federal drinking water standards, but after Flint and other cases this may not be true 100 % of the time. I ask them if they look at the Consumer Confidence Report for their system and they had no idea what I was describing. I pointed them in the direction of the EPA Consumer Confidence Report (NOTE: If there is no report online, you will need to call your water supplier) and in every instance the water source was meeting drinking water standards, but they had some occasional problems with trihalomethanes, i.e., chlorine by-products, bacteria, and a few with copper, arsenic, fluoride, and lead or corrosion issues. For these individuals, I recommended the following:
a. Get a Comprehensive City Water Information Analysis
b. Based on the initial information and assuming the primary issue was trihalomethanes and chlorine by-products, the primary need most individuals was an under the counter “Point-of-Use” Carbon Filtration System for the Sink, Refrigerator, and/or Shower and in some cases for older homes I suggested a first flush test for lead and copper and then have a plumbing contractor inspect the service lines and plumbing in the home. In one case, the homeowner found a slimy bacterial growth in the toilet tank reservoir, so we suggested they flush the system and suggested the installation of a water filter canister so they could flush and shock disinfect the water lines in the home. For a small office, I might suggest a water cooler model. I do not recommend a Whole House Reverse Osmosis unit.
c. Reverse Osmosis Treatment was not needed in ALL cases.
For the well water users (POE Systems- UV disinfection), I asked them when was the last time they tested their water and if the water had any aesthetic problems. One complained of a salty taste, one was just concerned because of health issues, and the rest reported aesthetic problems ranging from odors to discoloration to staining. If they did not have a recent water test, we recommended the appropriate water testing based on their description of the problem and surrounding land-use activities.
Homeowners that reported – Salty Water Taste and not near a gasoline station or farming area we recommended a basic water quality test with bacteria.
Homeowners that reported discoloration that was red, black, green, and/or a metallic taste we recommended a basic water quality test.
Homeowners that reported a chemical odor or metallic sheen and located in an area surrounded by agricultural activities or petrochemicals we recommended a test that included bacteria, metals, Volatile Organics, herbicides, and pesticides. If they reported slimy coatings or films, we added a nuisance bacteria test.
We also directed a few of these users to our Phone App and Diagnose It for a self Diagnose.
At this point, NOT one of these individuals has installed a reverse osmosis unit, but it looks like the guy with the salty water may need a system. We did find out that about 90% of the well owners needed to shock disinfect their well, 50% needed to install a UV disinfection System, 30% had a corrosion related problem, and 20% had to treat the water for an iron, manganese, or sulfur problem.
For the “Spring User” – we recommend the water be tested for total coliform and E. coli. and general water quality. If the samples come back positive and there was a concern iron and manganese content we recommended a water test that included bacteria (including standard plate count and nuisance bacteria, iron, manganese, and total dissolved solids). Some of the users complained about getting diarrhea, so we recommend the equivalent of a Pathogenic Screen Test for Your Drinking Water.
Guess What ! – the diarrhea case was positive for 1 pathogenic organism. Our recommendation was to not use that spring and if possible have the spring properly abandon. If you want to use a local spring source, plan on boiling the water at a minimum and use a water pitcher filter (test regularly at least quarterly).
For the guy that needed a reverse osmosis system, he also needed a pretreatment system to deal with the bacteria, hardness, and prepare the water for the R/O unit. For individuals on city water that want a point of use R/O, we have found that is is typically necessary to prefilter the water to remove particles, add a carbon unit to remove chlorine, and is some cases reduce the hardness of the water. Please keep in mind both applications are for Point-of-Use and not – Wholehouse RO treatment.
Looking for a Reverse Osmosis Unit – Questions?
- How much water do I need per day?
- Does my water require pretreatment? If you do not have recent water testing data, we recommend this comprehensive assessment (Complete RO screen). Testing for silica is critical.
- How much water will be “wasted” per day and where will this water go? Some R/O units process 2 to 4 units of water to make 1 unit. Therefore, you may waste 1 to 3 gallons of water to make 1 gallon.
- Do I need to install a booster pump- Do I have the proper pressure in my system?
- Do you need to re-mineralize the water for taste or to increase the pH?
Interesting R/O Unit with Booster Pump
Finally -You may want to be looking for an NSF/ANSI 58 approved systems – You can try this product search. “NSF/ANSI 58 establishes the minimum requirements for the certification of point-of-use (POU) reverse osmosis systems designed to reduce contaminants that may be present in public or private drinking water. The scope of NSF/ANSI 58 includes material safety, structural integrity, total dissolved solids (TDS) reduction and other optional contaminant reduction claims. The most common optional claims addressed by NSF/ANSI 58 include cyst reduction, hexavalent and trivalent chromium reduction, arsenic reduction, nitrate/nitrite reduction, and cadmium and lead reduction.” and you most likely want to hire a local trained professional to assist with product selection and install. If your looking for a treatment system to remove Pfas/Pfos (meets NSF P473)
Training
If you are looking for Training on the Subject – Visit : Basic Water Treatment Course (Search Water Supply
(Topics: Desalination, Disinfection, Membrane Filtration)
More -Training – Visit Training Professionals
Please share the site – We try to be as fact based as possible and try to provide solid information.
Manufacturers
Crystal Quest
US Water Systems
Filed under Children's Health, city water testing, Clean Water Act, Environmental Hazards, Giardia, Groundwater, Homeowner, Master Well Owner Program, Pennsylvania, private well water testing, reverse osmosis, shock well disinfection, Uncategorized, UV disinfection, Water, Water Testing, watershed, Well, Well water testing · Tagged with city water, Desalination, drinking water contamination, drinking water treatment, NSF 53, NSF 58, NSF P473, point of use, reverse osmosis, RO unit, Water Testing, well water
