Asbestos is a fibrous mineral occurring in geologic deposits. Asbestos can enter the drinking water through the natural weathering of geological material containing asbestos or for a period of time cement water lines were used that contained asbestos. As the water lines decay, the asbestos enters the drinking water. “Asbestos is a generic term used to describe hydrated magnesium silicate minerals that crystallize as bundles of long, thin fibers which readily separate when broken or crushed. These minerals include chrysotile (serpentine) and fibrous varieties of amphibole group minerals such as crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, tremolite, byssolite, and actinolite. The special properties of asbestos — high tensile strength, flexibility, and resistance to heat, chemicals, and electricity — have made it well suited for a number of commercial applications, particularly as fire-resistant tiles and insulation (Source).”
They are found in areas with igneous and metamorphic bedrock. Asbestos exposure has been linked to these manufacturing sectors: shipyards, power plants, chemical plants, oil refiners, and mining. The following trades are more likely to be exposed to asbestos drywall tapers, electricians, firefighters, auto mechanics, and plumbing and heating contractors. This is one reason we suggest you obtain a copy of your Neighborhood Hazard Report and if you are a public water customer to get a copy of your consumer confidence report (see below).
In 1974, the maximum contaminant level goal, i.e., MCLG, for asbestos was 7 million fibers per liter or MFL. In 1992, the Phase II Rules set the drinking water standard at 7 million fibers per liter was adequate to protect human health. Some people who drink water containing asbestos well in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for many years may have an increased risk of developing benign intestinal polyps.
For large scale water treatment – coagulation/filtration, diatomaceous earth filtration, nanofiltration, and corrosion control with sequestering are commonly used. For residential treatment – the most likely and reliable form of treatment would be a combination of reverse osmosis system that includes a filtration system that removes particles < 1 micron. This would include microfiltration, ultrafiltration & nanofiltration. The appropriate NFS Standards that would apply would be NSF / ANSI 53 and NSF/ ANSI 58.
NSF/ANSI Standard 53: Drinking Water Treatment Units – Health Effects Overview: Standard 53 addresses point-of-use (POU) and point-of-entry (POE) systems designed to reduce specific health-related contaminants, such as Cryptosporidium, Giardia, lead, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), MTBE (methyl tertiary-butyl ether), that may be present in public or private drinking water.
NSF/ANSI Standard 58:Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Treatment Systems Overview: This standard was developed for point-of-use (POU) reverse osmosis (RO) treatment systems. These systems typically consist of a pre-filter, RO membrane, and post-filter. Standard 58 includes contaminant reduction claims commonly treated using RO, including fluoride, hexavalent and trivalent chromium, total dissolved solids, nitrates, etc. that may be present in public or private drinking water.
other routes of exposure – Airborne
Asbestos dust was been found to have carcinogenic effects. The inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause fatal illnesses like malignant lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.
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 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.
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.
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).
Violations At NJ Utilities Enumerated In New Report
By Sara Jerome, @sarmje
“A new analysis of New Jersey drinking water reveals widespread challenges.“More than 1.5 million New Jerseyans are served by a utility that has been cited for excessive contaminants since April 2014, when the Flint water crisis was revealed, according to an analysis of U.S. EPA data by USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey,” The Asbury Park Press reported. “The data shows that water utilities in the Garden State have racked up at least 226 contamination violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act since Flint became synonymous with tainted tap water and put other water systems under a spotlight,” the report continued. The report shows the state’s water challenges extend even beyond Newark, which is undergoing a major lead crisis.”
“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.””
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:
“In 1654, Rembrandt painted a woman, in Amsterdam, bathing in a stream. As she lifts her nightdress above her knees and treads deeper, the woman is stepping from one world into another. Among art historians, the transition she is making is metaphorical. But to a biologist, it is also ecological.
We imagine water to be clean, and we imagine clean to mean lifeless, and yet all the water you have ever bathed in, swum through, or drunk has been full of life, from bacteria to tiny crustaceans. So, too, the pipes in which it travels. As water passes through pipes in general and showerheads in particular, a thick biofilm builds up. Biofilm is a fancy word that scientists use to avoid saying “gunk.” It is made by individuals of one or more species of bacteria working together to protect themselves from hostile conditions—including the flow of water, which constantly threatens to wash them away—via their own excretions.”
This is a very timely article – we work with a lot of private water systems, public water supply systems, and businesses that have a biofilm problem and to be honest I have had this problem in my home (s) that were serviced by both city water and well water.
First Step – Learn
Biofilms and Bacteria – bacteria does not normally grow free-living in the drinking water, but attached to the piping or surfaces within the system as a biofilm. This microbiological community can include a variety of organism that may be aerobic (like or need oxygen), anaerobic (low oxygen), or facultative(in the middle). The bacterial coating may be clear or discolored, create odors, contain trace metals, or promote microbiologically induced corrosion. The bacteria can impact the quality of the drinking water and the integrity of the distribution system. When people test city or well water, they normally only test for total coliform bacteria and may be E. coli., but that is not enough.
Second – Diagnose
The next step is to diagnose, but diagnose is really using a combination of observations and testing to determine if there may be a problem or concer.
We recommend the following:
Visually inspect the plumbing – look in the back of the toilet tank is the wall discolored, if discolored does it feel slimy, look in the bathroom do you see films or coating on showerheads or other surfaces. If you have any clear tubing, does the tubing have any observable films or coatings. If you have a particle filter, does it feel slimy.
Are there any odors or strange smells to the water.
If the water sits, does it have a floating metallic sheen on the surface.
Have you been experiencing problems with discolored water that is black, brown, or even greenish blue?
Flush the water heating tank – what do you see?
If you observe a film or coating, you may have a biofilm problem.
If the bacteria is pink, this may be Serratia marcescens. This is typically an airborne bacteria and we suggest that you wash the services with an anti-microbiological cleaner, monitor and control the humidity of the room, regularly clean the surfaces, wipe down showers after use, and keep the ventilation fan running for at least 20 minutes.
The next question is do you have any health issues?
If health issues are gastrointestinal and you have slime coatings – We recommend testing for total coliform, E. coli., and slime forming bacteria, and standard plate count.
If you do not have health issues, but have slime coatings with discolored water, we would recommend total coliform, iron related bacteria, slime forming bacteria, and standard plate count.
If you major health issues that include respiratory issues with or without gastrointestinal issues we recommend total coliform, E. Coli, and Waterborne Pathogen Panel.
Third Step – Test/ Monitor
Testing can include a variety of measures that include:
“(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.”
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:
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 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.
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?
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)
Lycoming County, Pennsylvania – Flooding Private Water Wells – contaminated drinking water
With the significant and long-term rainfall events, we have rural areas that have undergone flooding. If your area has been flooded and you use private water wells, you must take some action to ensure that your water well is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. When water wells become inundated or a region floods, it is possible that the contaminated water may enter the water well directly via the well cap or indirectly through natural macropores (i.e., spaces between the rock or particles of sand and gravel, in the unconsolidated material or bedrock. OUR suggestions are as follows:
If you are handy and have power, we recommend that you inspect the area around the well and remove the well cap and shock disinfect the well.
We would recommend the well be purged to waste – do not purge the water into the septic system or back directly into the well initially. When the well water appears clear, recirculate the water back into the well to wash down the sides of the casing. Please make sure to by-pass any water treatment devices and water filters and do not run this water through your main plumbing of the home.
We then recommend that the well and main line be shock disinfected twice. This is our website that contains information on how to shock disinfect a well and a link to a video that reviews the process and to the preferred chemical to use (Link to Amazon). Please note- Some local well drillers has this chemical available. If you can not get this chemical, it is ok in an emergency to use household bleach that does NOT contains scents, fragrances, or other additives.
After the well has been shock disinfected and purged one to waste, the second shock disinfection should be to the well and the distribution system of the home. When you conduct this disinfection, it is critical that you remove all aeration devices, by-pass all filters, and remove any hoses or connections that have inline filters or screens, i.e., your washer hoses and you may want to consider raising the casing, adding a sanitary well cap, and adding a Well Seal.
When you believe you have shock disinfected the well properly, we recommend the following:
Screen the raw untreated well water and the water from the piping of your home using a DIY Informational Water Testing Screening Test. (Link to TA – portion of the proceeds benefits the Keystone Clean Water Team)
If the screening test is negative, we would suggest that you then contact a certified laboratory PA by county and have the water tested for at least total coliform and E. coli. using a method that gives you a physical count, i.e., an enumeration method.
If the water is still positive for total coliform and/or E. coli, we would recommend that you shock disinfect the well and distribution system a second time, but use a longer reaction time and then retest using a certified laboratory.
If you are in an area with farming or petrochemical storage or high use, we would also recommend an informational water screening test that includes trace metals, herbicides, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds (Link to NTL – portion of the proceeds benefits the Keystone Clean Water Team).
PS: Adding too much disinfection chemical to the well is not wise, this can cause the release of arsenic and other trace metals into the water.
This article was prepared based on the topic of “Romance”. On the topic of romance, I am not an expert. I have been married only twice and currently love only one women my current wife. Robin is great! Many see this as a time to show the one you love you care by going that extra mile, saying I love you, being more considerate, and trying to at least let that other person know you care and you love them. Therefore, it is good to have big strong heart and for that reason it is “American Heart Month”.
Heart disease is a leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States and in the month of January my good friend had a massive heart attack. He is currently doing well. Since I am not a physician I can only tell you what my doctor tells me “Make heart-healthy choices” and “Know the risk factors”, and stay hydrated.
Since I am in expert in geology and water quality, I would like to add “Know YOUR H20”. It is critical to know what you are putting into your body and what you are using to hydrate your system. Humans are big bags of water. Since hydration impacts the circulatory system, improper hydration may cause the heart to pump quicker. There are a number of contaminates in drinking water that can impact your heart and overall health. These contaminants include: atrazine, arsenic, antimony, barium, cadmium, lead, microorganisms, and selenium. In general, 50% of private wells in Pennsylvania have elevated levels of bacteria and 8% contain elevated levels of arsenic, and about 40% may contain elevated levels of lead/copper and other trace metals. Even “city water” may contain elevated levels of trace metals and chlorine by-products that can impact your health. To show your partner you care, get your water tested and make sure you “KnowYour H20” and the Neighboorhood Hazard Reports.
Brian Oram is a licensed professional geologist and a soil scientist. He is the owner of B.F. Environmental Consultants, Inc. and the manager for the Keystone Clean Water Team a 501 c3.
