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Archive for the ‘Impurities Found in Drinking Water’ Category

Burbank Water Quality 2022

Posted by Ken Christopher
*Reviewed by Ken Christopher, Senior Vice President at Rayne Dealership Corporation

Burbank is the suburb that local Angelenos can’t help but love. After all, Hollywood glitz and glamor extend north into Burbank, where you’re just as likely to encounter regular families as celebrities. While there’s certainly a lot to love about this Southern California town, the taste of the tap water might not be one of those things.

Whether you’re a long-time Burbank resident or just stopping by for a visit to the Warner Brothers Studio backlot, keep reading for a full guide to Burbank’s current water quality.1  

We’ll discuss where tap water comes from, how the city treats it, what affects its quality, and how you can improve it at home. Grab a glass of water, and let’s dive in.

Burbank Water Sources

Your water has quite the journey to make before it arrives at your tap, especially in Burbank. The city doesn’t actually own any of the naturally occurring water underneath its soil. Instead, it purchases water from the Metropolitan Water District (MWD).2  

The MWD is a wholesaler supplier of water across Southern California. While it receives its water from sources such as San Francisco Bay Delta ,3 its two primary sources:4

Burbank purchases water from the MWD. When this water is recycled and returned to aquifers beneath Burbank, the city receives additional groundwater credits.2

As a result, Burbank residents receive recycled water from three sources:2

  1. Stored Ground Water – 47% of the city’s water comes from untreated water in underground aquifers. This is water Burbank has purchased, imported, and added to its own aquifers. The city pumps this water from wells.
  2. State Water Project – 33% of the water comes from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in Northern California. However, this source is environmentally vulnerable, which could significantly impact California’s future.
  3. Ground Water Credits – 20% of the city’s water also comes from underground aquifers, specifically in return for recycling the water it imports back into the city’s aquifers.

If all that sounds incredibly complicated, don’t worry. It is. Drought-prone California walks a fine line to continue providing enough water to its increasing population.

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The Water Treatment Process

All of the sources of water noted above must undergo a treatment process before they are safe to drink. This process is essential to ensure that the Burbank water quality meets all necessary standards. 

The source of the water affects how much the water must be treated. Groundwater doesn’t usually require as much treatment as source water, which comes from lakes, rivers, and streams. Regardless, the treatment process removes things like:5

To deliver safe drinking water to their communities, treatment plants follow a five-step process:5

  1. Coagulation – Particles like dirt have a negative charge in water. To remove them, the treatment plant adds chemicals with a positive charge like salts, aluminum, or iron. These chemicals neutralize the negative charge and bind to the particles, increasing their size.
  2. Flocculation – The treatment plant uses additional chemicals and mixes the water so that the particles become larger and heavier. These groups of particles are called flocs.
  3. Sedimentation – These flocs are heavier than the water, so they settle at the bottom, separating from the clean water at the top.
  4. Filtration – The treatment plant refines the water at the top using filters with different pore sizes to remove dissolved particles, pollutants, and germs. They can also filter for odor and taste using activated carbon filters or reverse osmosis systems.
  5. Disinfection – The treatment plant disinfects the filtered water using chemicals like chlorine or using UV light or ozone. Any of these options disinfect the water, but the chlorine will also kill any germs in the pipes when the water travels through them. The treatment plant might also adjust the pH of the water for taste and to protect pipes. They will also usually add fluoride to support oral health.

After this five-step process is complete, clean and safe water travels through the pipes and to your faucet.

Water Quality in Burbank

Clean water is essential to protect your health. In less developed countries, untreated water can contain waterborne diseases such as typhoid fever or cholera. Even in the United States, untreated water can spread illnesses like:6

Untreated water can also expose you to chemicals with disastrous effects on your health. Those effects depend on the levels of the chemicals, but they still exist. More specifically:6

Common chemical contaminants like arsenic, benzene, and uranium have federal limits regarding their concentration in tap water. There is a growing concern, however, about other chemicals, such as PFAs, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.7  

What are PFAs?

PFAs are referred to as “forever chemicals” because they can remain in your body long-term and they take hundreds of years to break down in the environment. Their usage is widespread in products from cookware to dental floss. As a result, they contaminate many different sources of water.7  

Exposure to these chemicals at levels higher than one part per trillion can increase your risk of developing a wide range of conditions from liver tumors to high cholesterol, and a 2021 estimate found that the majority of Americans drink tap water with concentrations of PFAs that are too high.7  

In 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set more aggressive limits on PFAs in water. However, these guidelines are not legally binding.8 Because of these chemicals, locals in other cities are worried about the quality of their water. Even as nearby as Pasadena, people are thinking, “Is Pasadena water safe to drink?” Not just in Burbank but the Pasadena water restrictions and West Covina water restrictions have become more stringent because of PFAs.

While drinking water quality standards regarding PFAs are a major priority for the state of California, there are no standards yet for the maximum contaminant levels of PFAs.9

While emerging research into chemicals like PFAs is a concern, as of now, the water in Burbank meets or exceeds both state and federal standards for water quality. Each year Burbank Water and Power releases an annual report with data on over 162 elements it tests for in the city’s drinking water. Consumers can read through this water quality report and feel confident about the water they’re drinking.10

To continue providing safe and reliable water to all of its residents, the city of Burbank is also investing in its infrastructure. The majority of the city’s water pipes are over 80 years old. As a result, the city has begun to replace them. While this will ensure long-term access to clean water, it is one factor that has raised water costs for residents.11

How to Improve Water Quality at Home

The City of Burbank works hard to deliver clean water to its residents, but there are also many strategies you can use at home to improve your water quality. If you have specific concerns about contaminants in your water, you can use Rayne Water to determine both the water’s quality and any potential contaminants. 

Even if the water is safe to drink, there are many reasons Burbank residents might want to treat it more thoroughly. For example, while disinfectants like chlorine keep the water safe, they can cause unfavorable tastes and smells as well as damage to hair, skin, and even your health.12

Moreover, water can become contaminated during the distribution process. This occurs when lead or copper pipes corrode or when there is a breach in the plumbing system. Additionally, byproducts of the treatment process like trihalomethanes can be bad for your health.6

Using a reverse osmosis system can protect your drinking water from bacteria and viruses.12 These systems may also improve water taste, which is one of the major concerns most Burbank locals have. While most drinking water might be safe, it isn’t always enjoyable.

Why? Most cities in Southern California have what’s called “hard water.”13

This means that the water contains higher levels of certain minerals like calcium and magnesium. While hard water isn’t dangerous outright, there are several reasons you might prefer “soft water.” The benefits of soft water include:14

  1. Cleanliness – Hard water can leave behind mineral buildup on pipes and soap scum on your clothes and dishes.
  2. Cost – Because hard water leaves behind this residue, you may end up spending more money on cleaning products and using more water.

When facing a drought, every ounce of water used matters. The simplest solution might be to use water softeners . The objective of a water softener is to remove excess calcium and magnesium as well as other minerals found in your water supply. 

Discover the Benefits of High-Quality Water

Water quality matters. Whether you drink your eight cups a day or use the tap to make coffee or tea, you drink a lot of water. The city of Burbank works hard to ensure safe water is delivered to your pipes, despite all of the ecological issues Southern California faces.

While the water in Burbank meets both state and federal standards, concerns about Burbank water quality are understandable, considering the existence of chemicals like PFAs or even just the taste of the water you drink each and every day.

Now, you can take control of your water quality with Rayne Water . 

From water softeners to reverse osmosis systems, Rayne Water’s products can help you enjoy the highest quality water. 

 

Sources: 

  1. LA Homes. What Is Burbank Known For? 5 Fun Facts About the History of Burbank, CA. https://www.lahomes.com/blog/burbank-fun-facts/  
  2. The City of Burbank Water and Power. Water Sources. https://www.burbankwaterandpower.com/water/water-supply/water-sources
  3. The City of Burbank Water and Power. Water Quality Reports. https://www.burbankwaterandpower.com/water/water-supply/water-quality-reports
  4. LADWP. Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. https://www.ladwp.com/ladwp/faces/ladwp/aboutus/a-water/a-w-sourcesofsupply/a-w-sos-metropolitanwaterdistrictofsoutherncalifornia  
  5. CDC. Water Treatment.  
  6. EPA. Drinking Water. https://www.epa.gov/report-environment/drinking-water  
  7. Scientific American. Forever Chemicals Are Widespread in U.S. Drinking Water. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/forever-chemicals-are-widespread-in-u-s-drinking-water/  
  8. Harvard School of Public Health. Stricter federal guidelines on ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water pose challenges. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/stricter-federal-guidelines-on-forever-chemicals-in-drinking-water-pose-challenges/  
  9. California Water Boards. PFAS: Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances. https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/drinkingwater/pfas.html  
  10. Burbank Water and Power. Currents . https://www.burbankwaterandpower.com/images/administrative/downloads/BWP_Currents_July2022_Final.pdf  
  11. City of Burbank. Op Ed: Ensuring Burbank’s Residents Continue to Have Access to Safe, Clean Water. https://www.burbankca.gov/newsroom/-/newsdetail/20124/ensuring-burbank-s-residents-continue-to-have-access-to-safe-clean-water  
  12. Washington Post. How to Test and Improve Your Tap Water. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/08/23/how-test-improve-your-tap-water/  
  13. City of Anaheim. Water Hardness. https://www.anaheim.net/672/Water-Hardness  
  14. Rayne Water. Is it Better to Drink Soft or Hard Water? https://www.raynewater.com/blog/is-it-better-to-drink-soft-or-hard-water/

 

Expert Reviewer – Ken Christopher

Guide to West Covina Water Restrictions & Contaminants

Posted by Ken Christopher

 

*Reviewed by Ken Christopher, Senior Vice President at Rayne Dealership Corporation

West Covina has a lot to offer the roughly 100,000 residents who call this city home. From towering palm trees to mountain views, there’s no shortage of reasons why Angelenos flock to this coveted San Gabriel Valley suburb. And to keep West Covina a prosperous place to live, the city government has implemented certain water use restrictions (which bear similarities with Pasadena water restrictions).

Keep reading to learn about the city’s water conservation efforts as well as specific strategies you can use to reduce your own water usage. We’ll also discuss water quality in West Covina and how residents can improve their water at home.

West Covina Water Restrictions: Everything You Need to Know

Southern Californians are no strangers to drought. That’s why it’s essential for local governments to maintain an adequate water supply for now and for the future, as well as encourage their residents to conserve this precious resource.

Many cities in Southern California use a three-level system to address water shortages. Each of the three levels comes with specific restrictions, with those restrictions increasing in severity and Level 3 representing a true emergency.

With Southern California residents experiencing severe drought over the past few years, it’s important to follow each water use restriction put in place to alleviate the conditions. In June 2022, cities across Southern California, including West Covina, came under new water usage restrictions, specifically a Level 2 Water Supply Shortage. While some California residents can get water from the Colorado River, others must rely on Northern California only to meet their water needs. As a result, millions of customers from the following six water districts are facing a shortage:

The West Covina water restrictions also include about 80 cities and neighborhoods in the region from Agoura Hills to Winnetka. These water restrictions relate both to overall water usage as well as specifically outdoor watering and irrigation usage.

As part of the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District, West Covina and its neighboring cities have been asked to reduce their household water consumption by 20% and minimize their outdoor water usage to twice weekly.

That means that residents will need to seriously consider how they are using water in their homes and how often they’re watering their lawns or gardens.

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Tips to Conserve Water

Reducing household water consumption by 20% can seem daunting, but the California Department of Water Resources has multiple strategies you can use to conserve water. These strategies range from more time-intensive and expensive (at least initially) to small habits you can incorporate into your daily life to adhere to watering restrictions.

First, consider your appliances, you can install water-efficient appliances and fix any leaks to save significant amounts of water in your home. Likewise, outside, you can plant drought-resistant vegetation and replace your grass or turf landscape.

But you don’t need to spend a lot of money to conserve water. Instead, you can start small with lifestyle changes such as:

Likewise, you don’t need to redo your entire lawn to conserve water. For your garden, helpful habits include:

Each of these habits adds up to make a big difference in your water conservation efforts.

Water Contaminants in West Covina

It’s understandable to have concerns about your city’s water quality. There are many contaminants reported to be found in water that’s not properly treated, including:

In fact, in the 1970s, water contaminants from industrial pollution were a major concern in the San Gabriel Valley. As a result, the state-financed and built groundwater treatment programs and facilities in the 1990s. Because of this testing, treatment, and filtration process, the tap water in West Covina may be safe to drink.

However, many people still like to use tools like reverse osmosis and water softeners to improve their water quality. To understand why, it’s helpful to clarify the difference between hard and soft water:

Most cities in Southern California have hard water, so some residents will use water softeners.< Similarly, some residents utilize reverse osmosis systems for better-tasting water. Just because water is safe to drink doesn’t mean that it’s tasty.

Conserve Water and Keep Quality with Rayne Water

Residents in West Covina enjoy safe drinking water. The Level 2 Water Supply Shortage restrictions cities in Southern California including West Covina are currently facing can help stave off future water crises so that residents can continue enjoying that safe water. By reducing their water consumption by 20%, residents can help their community conserve this essential resource. But if you are living in other cities in California (for instance you were wondering about Burbank’s water quality or is Pasadena water safe to drink), we also service neighboring cities. We have reverse osmosis, Los Angeles needs to keep your water top quality.

Thankfully, there are numerous strategies residents can use to conserve water, from drought-resistant landscaping to shorter showers.

And while you’re saving water, we’re saving you money. You can spend less on cleaning products and bottled water and make the most of the water you do use through reverse osmosis systems or water softeners.

Rayne Water is here to help our community stay hydrated.

 

Sources:

  1. United States Census Bureau. QuickFacts West Covina city, California. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/westcovinacitycalifornia/INC110220
  2. American Legal Publishing. § 5.03.035 LEVEL 1 WATER SUPPLY SHORTAGE. https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/culvercity/latest/culvercity_ca/0-0-0-67308
  3. South Pasadenan. San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water | Upper District Adopts Emergency Water Conservation Program. https://southpasadenan.com/san-gabriel-valley-municipal-water-upper-district-adopts-emergency-water-conservation-program/
  4. California Department of Water Resources. Conservation Tips. https://water.ca.gov/water-basics/conservation-tips
  5. Suburban Water Quality Systems. 2020 Water Quality Report. https://www.swwc.com/wp-content/uploads/files/ca/ccr/ccr-covinaknolls-2020.pdf
  6. Upper San Gabriel Municipal Water District. Water Quality.
  7. Rayne Water. Is it Better to Drink Soft or Hard Water? https://www.raynewater.com/blog/is-it-better-to-drink-soft-or-hard-water/
  8. City of Anaheim. Water Hardness. https://www.anaheim.net/672/Water-Hardness
  9. KTLA. Here are the new LADWP watering restrictions beginning Wednesday; which cities are affected. https://ktla.com/news/local-news/here-are-the-new-ladwp-watering-restrictions-beginning-tomorrow-and-which-cities-are-affected/

 

Expert Reviewer – Ken Christopher

Guide to Pasadena Water Restrictions & Contaminants

Posted by Ken Christopher
*Reviewed by Ken Christopher, Senior Vice President at Rayne Dealership Corporation

Water is our most precious resource, yet it’s seldom thought of with the expected necessity. With how abundant and accessible water has become from generation to generation, it’s easy to take it for granted. Yet living with limited access to fresh water is still a daily reality for people around the world.

Is Pasadena water safe to drink? While many in the Pasadena area may feel assured that unlimited clean water will always run from the taps, the reality of water security is a complex issue. In order to ensure the faucets keep flowing, the city of Pasadena has mandated a set of guidelines governing water use. The Pasadena water restrictions affect every residential spout in the city as the Department of Water and Power scrambles to keep up with demand.

Read on to learn about the specific regulations regarding public use of water, and how you might get more than you bargained for from the city’s unfiltered supply.

Why Did Pasadena Implement Water Usage Regulations?

Los Angeles, and southern California in general, is synonymous with sunny days and cloudless skies. The less acknowledged flipside of southern California’s climate, however, is its bone-dry precipitation levels and propensity for drought. Pasadena exemplifies this lack of rainfall, most glaringly during the summer. The driest month of the year is August, which experiences 0.2 days of rain on average.

That’s less than five hours total— in a month.

Needless to say, natural reservoirs are not replenished in sufficient supply to meet the city’s demands. The Raymond Basin is the main local source of the city’s water supply, and it’s fed by rainfall in the San Gabriel valley. With little precipitation in the surrounding mountains, the Raymond Basin fails to meet even half of Pasadena’s demand, requiring the city to import water from other municipalities.

Drought Levels in Pasadena

Infrequent precipitation and an unreliable supply of local water mean Pasadena is frequently in cycles of drought. The city has come up with a six-level gauge to assess the threat of drought at a given time:

With multiple low-precipitation records set in 2022, over 90% of California has been in the same drought category this year.

The National Integrated Drought Information System, a governmental program that tracks droughts across multiple metrics, also deems Pasadena and the surrounding area to be in a state of severe drought.

With local and national systems painting a dry picture, it’s clear Pasadena is going through a drought-stricken period. Not wanting to push the needles further into extreme dryness, officials decided to limit the public’s use of water.

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What Are Pasadena’s Rules Regarding Water Usage?

Water conservation is crucial for Southern Californians of LA county and surrounding regions. In order to combat the ongoing shortage, the city of Pasadena has enacted a set of guidelines dictating who can use water and when. Below is a breakdown of the current rules governing which uses of water are permitted, restricted, and prohibited.

Creating watering restrictions such as implementing a specific watering day or certain irrigation rules can create a significant difference in water waste during droughts. These regulations apply to every residential building in the city, so if you’re living in Pasadena, that probably includes you. 1 However, like all good rules, there are always a few exceptions.

What Are The Exemptions to Pasadena’s Water Restrictions?

The rules regulating water usage in Pasadena (and similarly with West Covina water restrictions) apply almost fully across the board. That said, there are a few instances when one isn’t governed by the current regulations:

Dealing with the water shortage has no end in sight, so it’s helpful to understand your full rights when it comes to usage. Likewise, it’s beneficial to inform yourself about the quality of water flowing from Pasadena’s treatment facilities to your tap.

Contaminants in Pasadena’s Water Supply

Despite meeting Federal regulations, Pasadena’s water contains a long list of contaminants that may be prejudicial to your health. In total, the city’s supply contains 36 chemical contaminants, 17 of which are found in highly unhealthy quantities. 7

Below is a small collection of some of the compounds floating around in Pasadena’s water. Keep in mind, this list only scratches the surface of what makes it past the city’s filtration system.

Evidently, Pasadena is not only providing its residents water in short supply, but the quality it delivers is also in question. Many of the chemicals you’re drinking may have effects on your health. Even trees can have their growth inhibited by the high levels of toxins sprayed on them while watering. 11

But what are Pasadenans to do? Water is the very lifeblood of existence and there’s no way to stop using it. Luckily, there are steps that you can take to ensure the city’s supply is safe for you, your family, and the environment.

Purify Your Home’s Water with a Filtration System from Rayne Water

Just because Pasadena’s treatment plants are pumping out chemical-laden water doesn’t mean you have to drink it as is. Rayne Water has been serving California’s water conditioning needs for almost a century. When it comes to dealing with contaminants, we are the experts you can trust.

Our water softeners can eliminate excess chlorine-based compounds that make your water smell and taste like a public pool. As a bonus, they can eradicate minerals that build up on surfaces and cause scaling—making cleaning your dishes, your skin, and your shower a breeze.

We also provide some of the most supremely refreshing reverse osmosis Los Angeles has to offer. Our systems can remove the chemical impurities plaguing your water supply. Aside from Pasadena, we can also help improve Burbank water quality.

You, your family, and your property deserve the crispest, cleanest water nature has to offer. Trust Rayne Water to help clean the contaminants from Pasadena’s supply and allow purity to flow from your taps.

 

Sources:

  1. Pasadena Department of Water and Power. Watering Schedule. https://ww5.cityofpasadena.net/water-and-power/wateringschedule/
  2. Climate Data. Climate Pasadena. https://en.climate-data.org/north-america/united-states-of-america/california/pasadena-715014/
  3. Pasadena Water and Power. Where does our water come from?. https://ww5.cityofpasadena.net/water-and-power/water/
  4. Pasadena Water and Power. Drought Awareness – Do your part to save water. https://ww5.cityofpasadena.net/water-and-power/savewater/
  5. National Integrated Drought Information System. Conditions for Pasadena, CA. (Los Angeles County). https://www.drought.gov/location/91117
  6. City of Pasadena. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PASADENA AMENDING PASADENA MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 13, CHAPTER 13.10, WATER WASTE PROHIBITIONS AND WATER SUPPLY SHORTAGE PLANS. https://www.cityofpasadena.net/public-notices/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2017-03-13-ORDINANCE-7298.pdf
  7. Environmental Working Group. Pasadena. https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/system.php?pws=CA1910124
  8. World Health Organization. Arsenic. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/arsenic
  9. Public Health England. Chloroform: General Information. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chloroform-properties-incident-management-and-toxicology
  10. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Public Health Statement for Bromoform and Dibromochloromethane. https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/PHS/PHS.aspx?phsid=711&toxid=128
  11. Committee on Medical and Biological Effects of Environmental Pollutants. Arsenic: Medical and Biologic Effects of Environmental Pollutants. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK231025/

 

Expert Reviewer – Ken Christopher

Pregnant? Watch Out For Lead!

Posted by Ken Christopher

Of course we all know that lead is not good for us, but that our bodies can tolerate a certain amount without observable negative effects. If you are pregnant, however, that amount is much, much smaller. A recent headline on Science Daily’s website announced, “Lead exposure may affect blood pressure during pregnancy”.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration have set thresholds for supposedly safe levels of lead at 40 um/dL, but in a study lead by Goldman of George Washington University’s School of Public Health, pregnant women who were exposed to lead had a significant increase in blood pressure at as low of a level as 2 um/dL! Of course blood pressure is typically somewhat higher during pregnancy, labor, and delivery as the heart pumps higher, but sustained high blood pressure during pregnancy (pregnancy-induced hypertension) can lead to preeclampsia and eclampsia, which can be fatal or predispose women to a heart attack in their future.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends that action be taken by women to reduce exposures to lead. According to one medical professional, lead exposure must be considered not only during the pregnancy, but also before conception. “Because lead is stored in bones for many years, even childhood exposure could impact lead levels in pregnancy.” The hope is, this study will help determine a truly safe lead exposure level.

One common place of lead exposure is in drinking water. Even though municipalities test for and remove lead, much of the lead that people ingest comes into their water after water treatment, and more often than not, from the pipes, valves, and solder within our very homes. The solution? A point-of-use drinking water system that has been certified to remove lead. The most thorough of these systems are reverse osmosis or a drinking water system with LINX® Technology. These systems of usually offered as under-the-counter or in a convenient bottleless water cooler.

To read more on this subject, click here.

Arsenic Makes It Back Into the News.

Posted by Ken Christopher

Arsenic isn’t new to drinking water. It is a naturally-occurring mineral toxin that pops up in various water sources throughout the United States, just like one Texas community was faced with in an online news article. The residents there were drinking, bathing in, and cooking with drinking water that was plagued by the toxin without even knowing it. They were not notified of the arsenic, although it was required to be regulated quarterly according to state mandates. The main reason for the concern? Arsenic, when consumed in large amounts for a long period of time, can cause cancer and circulatory problems that are similar to the effects of diabetes. According to the article, “Arsenic enters drinking water supplies from natural deposits in the earth or from agricultural and industrial practices.” This small community is surrounded by acres of rural farmland like those found all across this country in virtually every state.

As stated in the article, “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lowered the allowed arsenic levels in 2001 from 50 micrograms per liter to 10 micrograms per liter after scientific findings showed drinking water at the higher level posed a greater health risk.” Texas isn’t the only area where arsenic causes these health concerns. Communities all over the United States are finding levels beyond regulations which are bringing arsenic back to the forefront of the discussion. But in this small community, they will most likely have to continue serving residents drinking water that is over the allowed levels until funding is available to reduce the levels of arsenic.

So what should you do if you find that your community is being provided drinking water with “unsafe” levels of arsenic beyond federal regulations? Or perhaps you don’t want to wait until the powers that be tell you there is a problem? Don’t wait for your water supply company to secure funding, especially with the state of the economy today. Look into a water treatment company which provides you with a number of water treatment options like water coolers, water conditioners, reverse osmosis or a drinking water system that uses electricity for ion exchange rather than chemicals. Find a water treatment company that has eco-friendly and affordable products which will provide your family with immediately safe drinking water, rather than waiting for funds which may take longer than ever to reach your water supply company.

Uranium a Common Problem in Wells

Posted by Ken Christopher

Most people remember uranium from their high school chemistry class as being an element, but most homeowners aren’t aware of the ways it gets into drilled wells and into drinking water. The element uranium is a metallic gray and found naturally in rocks and soil. It is the result of volcanic activity, making it radioactive, which scientifically means that its atoms spontaneously break into new atoms, releasing energy in the process. It also has chemical toxicity which makes consuming it dangerous for the body. But even more dangerous is that it doesn’t have any taste, smell, or color, so many consumers have no idea it is present.

According to an article on suite101.com, uranium is present in larger quantities in certain types of rock. Some of these rocks include granite, shale, and sandstone. So wherever groundwater flows through these rock formations, the mineral can then dissolve into the water. Drilled wells that need underground water sources flowing through the bedrock are more likely to have higher, and sometimes unsafe, levels of uranium.

So what are the safe levels set forth for uranium in drinking water? Health Canada defines it as .02mg/L, and the World Health Organization has been working to determine the safe levels. In 2011, a provisional document has the amount at .03mg/L. And because uranium naturally occurring, those people with drilled wells are advised to get their well water tested. Uranium can also occur as a result of mining, industry, and agricultural fertilizers.

The health affects when consumed in large amounts are really quite alarming. According to the Nova Scotia Department of the Environment, the effects of uranium are caused only from consuming the drinking water, not through skin or air. Ingesting excessive amounts of uranium can lead to kidney damage. But the dangers don’t stop there. According to the online article, when the uranium breaks down, radon gas is produced. In homes, radon has a tendency to collect and increases the risk of lung cancer when inhaled. As previously mentioned, well water consumers are encouraged to test water. If the water test shows the presence of uranium or radon, water filtration systems can be the solution to a potentially harmful situation.

There’s Little Water Problems – And Then There’s 1000 TIMES THE LIMIT

Posted by Ken Christopher

Desert Sun’s recent article about some California wells containing huge amounts of Chromium-6. In some cases, wells contained 1,000 times the amount deemed safe by the State.

Hexavalent chromium is a potentially carcinogenic (cancer causing) metal that Erin Brockovich brought to the media’s attention some time ago. Because scientific studies on the contaminant are still ongoing, official maximum allowable standards have not been set, but California’s public health officials have determined a “goal” of 0.02 parts per billion that public water utilities and private wells should try to stay under. To implement and maintain a chromium-6 removal system is speculated to cost just one California water district more than $275 million and would raise water rates by approximately 74 percent.

Many Californians complain that there is absolutely no room for cancer-causing agents in their drinking water. Others argue that if chromium-6 were a real problem, they would have felt the effects of it by now, since generations of people have been consuming this same water. Regardless of which way the public opinions swings, governmental regulation is a long ways off, with the EPA often taking four or more years to set limits.

The solution is surprisingly easy – and affordable. While a faucet-mounted or pitcher-style water filter will not remove the contaminant, a reverse osmosis system generally can. Be sure to ask your water treatment professional for a list of contaminants their water filter can remove.

Fix It, or Drink It

Posted by Ken Christopher

Ultimatums and drinking water just don’t mix. The only option for drinking water from the tap should be pure and safe in order to do its job correctly for your health. But all over the country, in cities and small towns, we are finding out about harmful contaminants in drinking water that can cause some major health concerns. There are small steps being taken, but not all municipalities can or are doing much to solve some pretty alarming issues. Some cities have given the ultimatum. Either drink the water or don’t. But that doesn’t seem to be acceptable, even in the economic state we are in. According to recent news from KWQC, Dixon, Iowa is currently being cited (again) for dangerous drinking water. Three times last year, dangerously high levels of nitrate were found in Dixon’s water at 11 milligrams per liter; the limit is ten. Now a year later, nothing has been done and water tests came back even worse at 13 milligrams per liter. Leaders say Dixon is leaning towards building a new well, but it’s not that simple. So although they may be correct, it may not be that simple, it is that important. Talking about the issue is not enough. Leaders must be doing something to solve the issue. Unfortunately, as stated in the article, “Dixon officials have to figure out how to pay for the cost of the new well, the cost of the land to put that new well on, and the cost to hire an engineer to do the research and make sure this problem doesn’t come up again. All of this is estimated to cost well over $100,000, but Dixon only has $2,000 to pay for it and the town is running out of options.” But you don’t have to run out of options whether you are facing a similar issue in your area or fear that your water could potentially be contaminated. Water filters can be the best choice to eliminate or reduce harmful contaminants while still providing a constant flow of safe drinking water with the most advanced technology. Don’t choose an ultimatum when it comes to drinking water. Choose the best water filter for you, and worry less about what leaders in your town are doing, or would do, should you find yourself in this situation. To read more from this article, click here.

3 Various Bakersfield Water Contaminants

Posted by Ken Christopher

You have probably wondered, “ is tap water safe in Bakersfield, CA ?” In the following sections, we’ll break down five potential examples of Bakersfield water contamination and provide potential solutions. 

#1 1,2,3 – TCP

1,2,3,-Trichloropropane (1,2,3 – TCP) is a highly regulated, toxic chemical that can infiltrate water supplies around the country.1 It’s a man-made chemical commonly used in:

In a 2009 study, the EPA discovered that 1,2,3 – TCP can cause cancer in laboratory animals, and the study extrapolated that it could potentially cause cancer in humans. 

While the California Water Board established a regulatory maximum concentration of 0.005 micrograms per liter for statewide water treatment facilities, you may still be worried about your home or business water supply. 

#2 Nitrates

Nitrates are common compounds that regularly appear in drinking water.2 They form as a result of a chemical reaction between nitrogen and oxygen or nitrogen and ozone. 

While all living things need some level of nitrogen and nitrates to survive, too much can cause significant health concerns, especially for children, infants, and pregnant people. 

The CDC recognizes a few potential causes of nitrate contamination in local drinking water supplies:

Luckily, you can easily remove nitrates from your home or business water supply by treating it via one of the following methods:

While municipal water suppliers do treat and filter water, which removes some nitrate content, it’s important to note that mechanical filters (like activated charcoal filters often found in countertop filter pitchers) and chemical disinfection (with chlorine, a common water treatment chemical) do not effectively remove nitrates. 

Reverse Osmosis Systems starting at only /mo. Try before you buy!

#3 Arsenic

Arsenic in your water supply is a pressing concern. Some water experts hypothesize that arsenic—a naturally occurring substance found in rocks and soil—can leach out of certain rock formations when groundwater levels are significantly low.3

During different conditions, water regulations are often in place to prevent the groundwater level from getting low enough to expose arsenic-rich rock formations (among other reasons). However, arsenic can still get into your drinking water via:

Just as with nitrates, water boiling and other common water treatment methods don’t remove arsenic solids from drinking water. Nonetheless, you can reduce the total dissolved solids of potential arsenic contamination using:

#4 Calcium and Magnesium

Calcium and magnesium are perfectly healthy in small quantities, but when a high concentration of these elements are dissolved in your water supply, they can cause hard water—water that leaves stains, leads to soap scum buildup, and impacts the effectiveness of soap.4

While the other impacts of hard water can be irritating, hard water staining is one of the most persistent impacts of water with high levels of calcium and magnesium. Hard water stains are difficult to remove, and they can damage plumbing fixtures. Furthermore, as they build up in water pipes, they reduce efficiency. Mineral accumulation could eventually cause pipe bursts and leaks. 

A Bakersfield water softener is an excellent solution to hard water in your home, business, industrial facility, or farm. You’ll notice a significant reduction in hard water stains, your soap scum buildup will decrease, and your hands will feel less slimy after you wash your hands in softened water. 

#5 Biological Contaminants

Biological contaminants are also a concern for Bakersfield residents—along with people everywhere. (After all, we all drink water.) 

While they’re often naturally occurring, some biological contaminants can also have negative effects on your health.5

Biological contaminants can be further categorized as one of the following:

Local water suppliers treat and filter water to remove a significant portion of these organisms, but contaminations can still occur. Homeowners and businesses should take care to supply their families, workers, and operations with the cleanest water possible to prevent illness and product contamination. 

Rayne Water Conditioning: Bringing Clean Water to Homes and Businesses Since 1928

It’s important to remember that mandatory water restrictions and common contaminants don’t just impact residential water users—businesses and agricultural operations must also abide by rules and take care to monitor their water supply for potentially harmful substances.

No one understands the pursuit of clean water better than Rayne Water . We’re not just a residential water service provider—we started in the commercial sector in 1928, and we’ve been servicing business owners with pride ever since. 

For clean and compliant water, look no further than Rayne Water Conditioning. If you’re ready to make the switch to safer water, contact us for a free consultation.

Find a location near you!

 

Sources: 

  1. California Water Boards. 1,2,3,-Trichloropropane. https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/drinkingwater/123TCP.html  
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nitrate.  
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Arsenic.  
  4. US Department of the Interior. Hardness of Water. https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/hardness-water#overview  
  5. US Environmental Protection Agency. Types of Drinking Water Contaminants. https://www.epa.gov/ccl/types-drinking-water-contaminants  
  6. The City of Bakersfield. Water Restrictions Mandated for City Water Customers. https://www.bakersfieldcity.us/379/Water-Resources
  7. Water Education Foundation. Potable Water. https://www.watereducation.org/aquapedia-background/potable-water  
  8. US Department of Energy. Best Management Practice  #14: Alternative Water Sources. https://www.energy.gov/eere/femp/best-management-practice-14-alternative-water-sources  
  9. University of California Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Converting to a Low-Water Landscape: A How-To. https://ccuh.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk1376/files/inline-files/5.%20Karrie%20Reids%20Presentation.pdf  

Fluoridation – Again?

Posted by Ken Christopher

I’ve been writing about water issues for a long time now, and was so relieved when, about a year ago, I determined that I could finally quit harping on the fluoridation issue. Many states and municipalities finally listened to consumers and the many scientists who argued that ingesting fluoride is not only pointless, but dangerous and expensive, and stopped adding the chemical to water. In fact, since 1990, more than 300 North American communities, including 43 cities serving at least 3 million residents hav voted to end fluoridation programs. Whew, one down!  BUT WAIT, now I’ve seen several news reports the last couple of months that fluoride is coming back! Just last month, The Wall Street Journal announced that New Jersey is being threatened with mandatory water fluoridation. The state’s Senate Bill S-959 and Assembly Bill 1811 will require cities to add what the article calls “unnecessary, untested, health-robbing fluoride chemicals” into the public water supplies – all to the tune of $5 billion in start-up costs and $1 billion each year to maintain the practice. Research shows that there is quite a long list of reasons why we should not want fluoride in drinking water:

  1. Fluoridation chemicals, often purchased from Mexico, China, and Japan, are hazardous waste byproducts of the phosphate fertilizer industry that are typically contaminated with arsenic, lead, and radionuclides.
  2. More than 40% of adolescents already have dental fluorosis – a visible sign of fluoride toxicity.
  3. Government, health, and dental organizations advise that infant formula should not be mixed with fluoridated water. Many families have to scrape together money for formula, without having to purchase special water with which to mix it.
  4. Low-income children have a greater risk of suffering from all forms of fluoride toxicity since poor diet exacerbates fluoride’s negative effects.
  5. There have been 25 studies showing that fluoride can lower the IQ of children.
  6. Fluoride works topically – and is much more effective when applied in toothpaste or mouth rinse form.

What I found most disturbing was that the Wall Street article indicated that most New Jersey residents did not even know about this bill that’s up for vote! So, keep your hears open and your eyes sharp – the question can arise in other states too! Already stuck with fluoridation? Here’s what to do – purchase a home drinking water filter. But, when you do, ask the right questions. How much fluoride is left in the filtered water? What percentage does the drinking water system remove? Reverse osmosis or an ion exchange system are the most successful filtration systems. What won’t work? Many faucet-mount filters, many pitcher filters, boiling the water, and freezing the water.