Most American consumers dread having to deal with problem drinking water–and rightly so. It can sometimes be a difficult process determining the cause and finding an effective solution. However, there are options that can help consumers determine their specific problems more effectively and then help them to apply the most effective solutions.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a chart on its website that lists common drinking water problems and treatments for those problems.
For example, consumers who experience an “abrasive texture” to their water and have residual that is left in the sink can determine, according to the EPA chart, that excessive sand and silt in their water is the cause of the grittiness. And, that grittiness has a treatment: “sand trap and ultra-filtration.”
The EPA chart lists numerous common water quality problems, some of them with treatments associated with water filters, reverse osmosis systems or other similar treatments. Another example includes problems with salty or brackish tasting water. The cause tends to be salt in the water, and one of the solutions suggested is a reverse osmosis system.
These treatments–water filters, reverse osmosis systems, etc.–tend to be affordable and cost effective for consumers. Installation and upkeep on these treatments are fairly simple and can oftentimes be done without professional help.
So, if you are having problems with your drinking water quality, check out the EPA website for help determining the cause and for help in finding a solution.
As the entire country now is enjoying summer, families are moving outside and everyone is looking for ways to cool down. As most areas of the country no longer have to worry about heating bills for a while, summer is also a great time to instigate some water-saving techniques and practices. Everyone is looking to save a few bucks and conserve water, so what are a few ways to do both during the next few months?
When it comes to outside activities, the PHCC (Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association) website has several useful tips. Many of the tips are common sense, but they are also easy to overlook or forget.
In regards to your lawn, only use a sprinkler during cooler hours of the day, thus limiting evaporation caused by the heat; use shorter watering cycles; make sure your sprinkler system is running efficiently and not leaking large amounts of water; and set a timer when watering your lawn and garden.
In the kitchen, the website suggests using only one drinking glass each day. This will cut down on the number of times you have to use the dishwasher, which uses large amounts of water.
The website also suggests storing drinking water in the refrigerator, so you don’t have to run the faucet for long periods of time waiting for the water to get cold.
Finally, limit dishwasher use to large loads. Running more loads with less dishes wastes a lot of water.
These are just a few tips for limiting water usage this summer. While some of these tips may seem to have minimal impact, when coupled together with other suggestions and if everyone does their part, they can equal large amounts of water conservation.
As more and more people occupy the globe, the availability of water has become strained. Areas throughout the world—and around the United States—regularly struggle with this increased demand for water. This becomes even more of a problem in areas that have struggled with water demand issues for decades.
As a result of this increased demand, some “supplies are being augmented with treated wastewater for uses such as irrigation,” according to the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS). And this water supply augmentation comes with its own risks.
Recent studies by the USGS and others have found pharmaceuticals present in wastewater. This isn’t the first time studies have detected pharmaceuticals in water. Now, researchers and others are giving increased attention to the use of reclaimed water, according to the USGS.
A report by MSNBC citing an AP investigation stated that “a vast array of pharmaceuticals—including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones” were found in the drinking water of more than 40 million Americans. Thankfully, the concentration levels are small, but the fact that these chemicals were found raises many questions associated with short-term and long-term effects on those who use water contaminated with them.
Is there an answer? The solution probably lies in advocating several strategies. First, more stringent testing of water would help consumers know what is present in their water and how much of it is there.
Second, more research should be conducted into how to remove these chemicals from the water. Products like water filters and reverse osmosis systems should be tested to determine their effectiveness in removing pharmaceuticals from drinking water.
Finally, more research must be completed into the long-term effects on these chemicals in our water and what can be done to prevent disease or other illnesses because of their presence.
