3.12.09: Water Quality Investment Act of 2009
What is the effect of lumbering on water quality?
Brian & Darren discuss how drain tile helps to improve ground water quality.
Image taken on 2004-04-23 08:39:44 by Syracuse University.
Westchester County Water Quality
Today’s water quality testing is something of a hit and miss affair with even the EPA not able to monitor it effectively at any level, and indeed a recent report has highlighted just how bad it’s got.
“Federal and industry officials say they don’t know the extent to which pharmaceuticals are released by U.S. manufacturers because no one tracks them,” reports the AP agency. I think that says it all!
Despite their labored claims about how modern their water quality testing is, the municipal treatment plants are failing us badly.
“Drinking water plants are old and out of date, and water supplies are increasingly threatened by and contaminated by chemicals and microorganisms,” says the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Recent studies have shown there to be over two thousand toxic chemicals in our drinking supplies, with chlorine being one of the most dangerous toxins of all, even though it is used to treat the water. Herbicides, pesticides, prescription drugs, lead and parasites are routinely found in drinking samples.
It is estimated you have a 93% higher chance of getting cancer if you drink chlorinated water, which most of us do, so what can we do to protect ourselves.
Finally we get to the good news! More and more people are turning to a quality home water purifier, as it is almost becoming a necessity. Look for products that have a dual or twin filter process with ion exchange and sub micron filtering for the effective removal of 99% of all contaminants.
This is the best solution all round because as water quality testing varies from state to state, you can never be sure just how accurate they are.
With home filtration you know you are doing your level best to safeguard the health of your family for now and the future, whatever contamination may come along next.
www.good.is/ Celebrate World Water Day! Animation & Design by Chris Weller Produced by Max Joseph Music by Jovian
Regular water quality testing is necessary for people that own a private well. Even if the tests have always reported no contaminants, they should be repeated on an annual basis. Mining and other incoming industry can have a negative effect on wells in the surrounding area.
If a homeowner has a record of when the contamination occurred, the courts can require that the industry responsible makes restitution. Otherwise there is no proof and the company will not accept responsibility.
For those that are serviced by a public treatment facility, water quality testing is necessary for homeowners that have older pipes. Lead was used to line some of the older pipelines and also to solder the joints. High levels of lead have been found in some of the older cities around the US, because their whole infrastructure needs to be replaced.
Lead is also a naturally occurring substance that is found in surface and groundwater in many areas, because it is in the rocks. Because water quality testing can be expensive and because not all contaminants are tested for, the best solution is to install a home filter.
You may already be aware of some contaminants. Chlorine, for example, is something that you can smell and taste. When levels are particularly high, you can actually see yellow particles in the bottom of a pot. Facilities try to assure the public that it is safe to drink, but environmental groups advise homeowners in most areas of the US that that should, at the very least, install a chlorine filter.
Chlorine filters are relatively inexpensive, but they don’t address all of the issues. For example, they may not remove traces of lead or other heavy metals. They don’t include enough steps to improve bad taste caused by mold or other issues. They will not remove herbicides or pesticides, either.
Independent water quality testing paid for by the Environmental Working Group showed high levels of Atrazine, lindane and alachlor in homes and offices in the Corn Belt and rural Maryland. Those are common herbicides and pesticides that have been banned in the European Union, but are still commonly used in the US.
Levels would be particularly high during the spring and summer months, but you really need protection all year long. You can get the protection that you need with an effective home filter.
To answer the question, water quality testing is not absolutely necessary in homes serviced by a public treatment facility, but a water home purifier is.
To become better informed about the available options regarding water filtration systems you can install at your home, visit my website.
Baltimore Water Quality 2007 (Class Project film)
Image taken on 2008-09-22 12:16:02 by WSDOT.