Chlorine works against skin health

Our skin is our body’s number one defense against germs. The largest organ of the human body, it is a protective layer that keeps us healthy and protects our internal organs. There are so many factors that affect the health and condition of our skin. Eczema can make this even challenging because the moisture that we need isn’t produced as it should be.

There are a lot of external factors that affect an eczema flare up such as weather, lotions, makeup, soap, and laundry detergent. One factor that you may not realize that is so harmful to your skin condition is Chlorinated water. Most, if not all, municipally supplied water is treated with chlorine. Chlorine however is hurting us and not helping our water.

Here are some of the effects of chlorine on our skin and eczema.

First and foremost, chlorine dries out your skin. This is especially bad for people who have eczema because their skin already is dry and has hard time maintaining natural moisture. It can also dry out your hair as well. Swimming pools have a lot of chlorine in them to ward off bacteria If you’ve and spent much time in a pool or hot tub you know that dried out itchy feeling that is so common afterward.

There isn’t as much concentrated chlorine in your bathing water, however over time the chlorine’s effects take does damage to your skin because the levels of chlorine are still pretty high. After showering you can feel itchy, dry, and notice a rash. This is an uncomfortable feeling to have every day.

Showering is even more harmful than swimming in a chlorine treated pool. The hot water from your shower opens your pores, to cleanse, but the toxic gases caused from the steam and heat is easily absorbed by your skin; and even worse still you breathe it in, which is a direct transfer to your bloodstream. In addition to drying you out, you can prematurely develop wrinkles. To ease the itching feeling after your shower, you can use lotions or eczema oil to alleviate the irritation and bring some moisture back. There is also an option to install chlorine free shower-heads. Chlorine free water is the best defense against atopic dermatitis and wrinkles.

There are other harmful effects of chlorine in the water you bathe in and the water you drink. Chlorine is used to fight off bacteria in our water, yet it causes so many other detrimental health problems. In addition to causing atopic dermatitis or making it worse, it has also been known to cause cancer. If you drink tap water that has been treated with chlorine you run the risk of hurting your bladder, stomach, and breasts. It can also really flare up asthma attacks which are commonly associated with eczema. Chlorine, over time, will damage cell tissues.

Get the Chlorine out of your water an you will see improvement in the health of your skin, hair and overall wellness. You will be glad you did.

AP








AquaPro@AskaquaPro.com 


www.AquaProSolutions.com
www.AquaEnvi.org
www.AshevilleGreenPlumbing.com
www.H2oEasy.com

ENVIRO-NEWS:EPA to Scrutinize Environmental Impact of Bisphenol A

This is very welcome and long overdue news. Let's hope the EPA holds true to their stated goals. Bisphenol A is a very dangerous chemical with long lasting negative environmental and human health concerns. It is one of the primary concerns with the use of plastics for food and water packaging. Lets hope we get this substance exposed for the damaging effects it has on our health. here's a lot of money opposing the exposure so it's good to see an agency with the power of the EPA targeting this issue; as long as the results are unbiased and actions are implemented. We'll be watching developments. 

Date: Mar 29, 2010 5:33 PM
From: U.S. EPA [mailto:usaepa@govdelivery.com]
Sent: Monday, March 29, 2010 1:06 PM
Subject: EPA News Release (HQ): EPA to Scrutinize Environmental Impact
of Bisphenol A

CONTACT
Dale Kemery
kemery.dale@epa.gov
202-564-7839
202-564-4355

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 29, 2010

EPA to Scrutinize Environmental Impact of Bisphenol A

Agency sets stage for action on BPA

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today
announced a number of actions to address the potential effects of
bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used in the manufacture of a wide range of
consumer and industrial products. The BPA action plan released today
focuses on the environmental impacts of BPA and will look to add BPA to
EPA's list of chemicals of concern and require testing related to
environmental effects. These actions are part of Administrator Lisa P.
Jackson's comprehensive effort to strengthen the agency's chemical
management program and assure the safety of chemicals.

In January 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced
that it had some concerns about the potential human health impacts of
BPA and it would study the potential effects and ways to reduce exposure
to BPA in food packaging.

"We share FDA's concern about the potential health impacts from BPA,"
said Steve Owens, assistant administrator of EPA's Office of Prevention,
Pesticides and Toxic Substances. "Both EPA and FDA, and many other
agencies are moving forward to fully assess the environmental and health
impacts to ensure that the full range of BPA's possible impacts are
examined."

Food packaging represents the most obvious source of BPA exposure to
people and is regulated by FDA. Unlike FDA, EPA has authority over the
potential environmental impacts of BPA.  Releases of BPA to the
environment exceed 1 million pounds per year. BPA has caused
reproductive and developmental effects in animal studies and may also
affect the endocrine system. The EPA action plan on the environmental
impacts of BPA includes:

*       Adding BPA to the chemical concern list on the basis of
potential environmental effects.

*       Requiring information on concentrations of BPA in surface water,
ground water, and drinking water to determine if BPA may be present at
levels of potential concern.

*       Requiring manufacturers to provide test data to assist the
agency in evaluating its possible impacts, including long-term effects
on growth, reproduction, and development in aquatic organisms and
wildlife.

*       Using EPA's Design for the Environment (DfE) program to look for
ways to reduce unnecessary exposures, including assessing substitutes,
while additional studies continue.

*       And, continuing to evaluate the potential disproportionate
impact on children and other sub-populations through exposure from
non-food packaging uses.

EPA is working closely with FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
on research to better assess and evaluate the potential health
consequences of BPA exposures, including health concerns from non-food
packaging exposures that fall outside of the FDA's reach but within
EPA's regulatory authority.  Based on what this new research shows, EPA
will consider possible regulatory actions to address health impacts from
these other exposures.

In December, EPA announced that it will, for the first time, use its
authority under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to list
chemicals that may present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or
the environment. The decision to list chemicals signals EPA's concern
about the risks that the listed chemicals may pose and the agency's
intention to address those risks. These actions are part of the agency's
efforts to strengthen EPA's chemical management program, utilizing
current authorities to the fullest extent possible, while continuing to
encourage legislative reform of TSCA, which has not been updated since
1976 and is in need of reform.

More information on EPA's BPA action plan:
http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals
 [deletions]

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Information Center at the National Agricultural
Library.  The center's Web site is at
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The Enviro-News list facilitates information exchange.
Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) agreement,
nor does USDA attest to the accuracy or completeness of
the item. See
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/environews.shtml#disclaimer

ENVIRO-NEWS: White House Conference on America's Great Outdoors

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Mar 29, 2010 11:05 AM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] White House Conference on America&apos;s Great Outdoors
To: <Enviro-News@nal.usda.gov>

USDA
Release No. 0153.10
Contact: USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON
AMERICA'S GREAT OUTDOORS

WASHINGTON, Friday, March 26, 2010 - Obama Administration Officials
announced today that they will host a White House Conference on
America's Great Outdoors on Friday, April 16, 2010. Nancy Sutley, Chair
of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Ken Salazar,
Secretary of the Interior, and Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture are
leading the conference, which will address the challenges, opportunities
and innovations surrounding modern-day land conservation and the
importance of reconnecting Americans and American families to the
outdoors.

"America's outdoors are part of our national identity. They are the
farms, ranches and forests that we take great pride in, and the
neighborhood parks, trails and fields where we spend memorable time with
our families and friends," said Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House
Council on Environmental Quality. "Too many of these places are
disappearing. In launching this conversation, we strive to learn about
the smart, creative community efforts underway throughout the country to
conserve our outdoor spaces, and hear how we can support these efforts."


"Across the country, Americans are working to protect the places they
know and love, from the streams they fished as children and the parks
where families gather together to the battlefields and buildings that
tell America's story," said Ken Salazar, Secretary of the Interior. "The
Conference is a great chance to learn about these efforts, start a new
dialogue about conservation in America, and find ways to further the
work that is already going on in cities and towns, counties and states
throughout the country."

"There is no doubt that we face serious challenges to our natural
resources: climate change, air and water pollution, a lost connection
between some Americans and the outdoors, and a fragmentation and loss of
open space," said Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture. "We believe
that the best way to answer these challenges is to work with landowners,
conservation groups, sportsmen and women, local communities, and state
and local governments to conserve America's great outdoors, and in doing
so, reconnect Americans to our forests, working lands and public lands."


This conference will bring together leaders from communities across the
country that are working to protect their outdoor spaces. Participants
will include working ranchers and farmers, sportsmen and women, State
and local government leaders, Tribal leaders, public lands experts,
conservationists, youth leaders, business representatives and others who
view the outdoors as integral to their communities. The discussion will
center on the conservation opportunities in communities, the challenges
facing them, and the innovative solutions they are crafting from the
bottom up.

The conference will offer an opportunity for participants to engage with
each other, learn from past and ongoing efforts, communicate how the
Federal Government can support these efforts, and identify new
opportunities to work together to modernize our approach to
conservation, and reinvigorate the national conversation about our
outdoors.

Media credentialing information will be released when it becomes
available.

#
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a
complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil
Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or
call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).


#
[USDA news releases are available in the "Newsroom" section at
http://www.usda.gov/ .]


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Library.  The center's Web site is at
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/.

The Enviro-News list facilitates information exchange.
Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) agreement,
nor does USDA attest to the accuracy or completeness of
the item. See
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You can contact the list owner at
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ENVIRO-NEWS:US EPA/NCER Grant Announcement

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Mar 29, 2010 10:18 AM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] US EPA/NCER Grant Announcement
To: <Enviro-News@nal.usda.gov>

-----Original Message-----
From: Water Quality Discussion List [mailto:WQ-L@LISTSERV.URI.EDU] On
Behalf Of Rozum, Mary
Sent: Friday, March 26, 2010 9:18 PM
To: WQ-L@LISTSERV.URI.EDU
Subject: Fw: US EPA/NCER Grant Announcements Update

----- Original Message -----
From: NCER_listserver@saic.com <NCER_listserver@saic.com>
To: Rozum, Mary
Sent: Fri Mar 26 09:40:40 2010
Subject: US EPA/NCER Grant Announcements Update
[deletions]

Title: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I Program
Solicitation

URL: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2011/2011_sbir_phase1.html

Open Date: 03/25/2010  -  Close Date: 05/11/2010

Summary: A.The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites small
business
firms to submit research proposals under this Small Business Innovation
Research (SBIR) Solicitation.  The SBIR program is a phased process
across the
Federal Government of soliciting proposals and awarding funding
agreements for
research (R) or research and development (R&D) to meet stated agency
needs or
missions.

EPA is interested in advanced technologies that address priority
environmental issues.  The following topics are included in this
solicitation:
Green Building, Innovation in Manufacturing, Nanotechnology, Greenhouse
Gases,
Drinking Water Monitoring and Treatment, Wastewater and Sustainable
Infrastructure, Air Pollution Monitoring and Control, Biofuels, Waste
Management and Monitoring, and Homeland Security. The proposed research
must
directly pertain to EPA's environmental mission and must be responsive
to EPA
program interests included in the topic descriptions in this
solicitation.
[deletions]

***********************************************
Enviro-News is a service of the Water Quality
Information Center at the National Agricultural
Library.  The center's Web site is at
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/.

The Enviro-News list facilitates information exchange.
Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) agreement,
nor does USDA attest to the accuracy or completeness of
the item. See
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/environews.shtml#disclaimer
You can contact the list owner at
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ENVIRO-NEWS:Results of EPA's Review of Existing Drinking Water Standards; Request for Comment and/or Information on Related Issues

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Mar 29, 2010 11:10 AM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] Results of EPA&apos;s Review of Existing Drinking Water Standards; Request for Comment and/or Information on Related Issues
To: <Enviro-News@nal.usda.gov>

-----Original Message-----
From: EPA Federal Register [mailto:envsubset@epa.gov]
Sent: Monday, March 29, 2010 10:01 AM
Subject: [epafr-all] Table of Contents March 29, 2010
[deletions]

WATER
-----------
NOTICES
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations:
   Results of EPA's Review of Existing Drinking Water Standards;
           Request for Comment and/or Information on Related Issues,
           15500-15572 http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-6624.htm


[deletions]

***********************************************
Enviro-News is a service of the Water Quality
Information Center at the National Agricultural
Library.  The center's Web site is at
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/.

The Enviro-News list facilitates information exchange.
Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) agreement,
nor does USDA attest to the accuracy or completeness of
the item. See
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/environews.shtml#disclaimer
You can contact the list owner at
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ENVIRO-NEWS: National Water Conference Proceedings

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Mar 29, 2010 11:35 AM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] National Water Conference Proceedings
To: <Enviro-News@nal.usda.gov>

-----Original Message-----
From: Water Quality Discussion List [mailto:WQ-L@LISTSERV.URI.EDU] On
Behalf Of Kelly Addy
Sent: Monday, March 29, 2010 10:54 AM
To: WQ-L@LISTSERV.URI.EDU
Subject: National Water Conference Proceedings

I am pleased to announce that the 2010 Land Grant - Sea Grant National
Water
Conference Proceedings is now online at:
http://www.usawaterquality.org/conferences/2010
[deletions]

--
Kelly Addy
Research Associate
University of Rhode Island - NRS
One Greenhouse Road
Kingston, RI 02881
Voice: 401-874-7532
Fax: 401-874-4561

Research: http://www.uri.edu/cels/nrs/whl
National Water Program: http://www.usawaterquality.org
Regional Water Center: http://www.usawaterquality.org/nesci

***********************************************
Enviro-News is a service of the Water Quality
Information Center at the National Agricultural
Library.  The center's Web site is at
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/.

The Enviro-News list facilitates information exchange.
Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) agreement,
nor does USDA attest to the accuracy or completeness of
the item. See
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/environews.shtml#disclaimer
You can contact the list owner at
owner-Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov.
***********************************************

ENVIRO-NEWS: ARS Publishes Guide for Remote Solar Water Pumps

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Mar 26, 2010 9:37 AM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] ARS Publishes Guide for Remote Solar Water Pumps
To: <Enviro-News@nal.usda.gov>

-----Original Message-----
From: ARS News Service [mailto:NewsService@ars.usda.gov]
Sent: Friday, March 26, 2010 8:25 AM
Subject: ARS Publishes Guide for Remote Solar Water Pumps

STORY LEAD:
ARS Publishes Guide for Remote Solar Water Pumps
___________________________________________

ARS News Service
Agricultural Research Service, USDA
Don Comis, (301) 504-1625, donald.comis@ars.usda.gov
March 26, 2010
--View this report online, plus photos and related stories, at
www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr
--Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ARSInformation
___________________________________________

A guide to choosing a solar water pump for remote (off-grid)
applications has been published by Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
scientists.

For this guide, agricultural engineer Brian Vick and colleagues drew on
the ARS Conservation and Production Research Laboratory's 31 years of
testing stand-alone water pumps. The laboratory is located near
Bushland, Texas.

Vick found that for pumps with motors rated less than 1,500 watts, solar
is usually the best choice. With current technology and costs, wind
power or a hybrid wind/solar pump is usually best for power needs of
1,500 watts or more.

Vick and colleagues tested three major pump types: diaphragm, helical
and centrifugal. Diaphragm and helical pumps can maintain almost the
same maximum flow rate over a large range of pumping depths. Because
maximum flow rate increases with increasing power, centrifugal pumps can
pump more water than diaphragm or helical pumps, although a photovoltaic
(PV) array rated at a higher power may be required, especially at deeper
pumping depths.

Powered with a 160-watt PV array, most diaphragm pumps sold today can
draw sufficient water from wells 100 feet deep or less to supply 75 head
of cattle. Some recently designed diaphragm pumps can draw from as deep
as 230 feet, but can only supply sufficient quantities of water for 30
head of cattle.

ARS research indicates that if more water is needed or a deeper well is
required, a pump type other than a diaphragm--and a PV array of more
than 160 watts--is recommended.

The researchers also recommend using a controller on all pumps. For
irrigation, they recommend the centrifugal pump with a hybrid wind/solar
power system.

Their guide offers case studies in the Bushland area, where wells are
more than 230 feet deep. One example is a four-person household, for
which they recommend a helical pump powered by a 500-watt PV array. To
supply water to 150 head of beef cattle, they would use a helical pump
powered by a 640 watt PV array.

The guide, published by the American Solar Energy Society in 2009, is
available online at http://www.cprl.ars.usda.gov/REMM_Publications.htm

ARS is the principal intramural scientific research agency in the U.S.
Department of Agriculture.
___________________________________________

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.  To file a
complaint of discrimination, write:  USDA, Director, Office of Civil
Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or
call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).
___________________________________________

This is one of the news reports that ARS Information distributes to
subscribers on weekdays.
Send feedback and questions to the ARS News Service at
NewsService@ars.usda.gov.
[deletions]
__________________________________________
ARS News Service, Information Staff, Agricultural Research Service
5601 Sunnyside Ave., Room 1-2251, Beltsville MD 20705-5128
NewsService@ars.usda.gov | www.ars.usda.gov/news
Phone (301) 504-1636 | fax (301) 504-1486

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Library.  The center's Web site is at
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/.

The Enviro-News list facilitates information exchange.
Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) agreement,
nor does USDA attest to the accuracy or completeness of
the item. See
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/environews.shtml#disclaimer
You can contact the list owner at
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ENVIRO-NEWS: Grants.gov Opportunities--March 26, 2010

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Mar 26, 2010 9:46 AM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] Grants.gov Opportunities--March 26, 2010
To: <Enviro-News@nal.usda.gov>

-----Original Message-----
From: notifier07@grants.gov [mailto:notifier07@grants.gov]
Sent: Friday, March 26, 2010 3:56 AM
Subject: Grants.gov Opportunities Posting Update

The following grant opportunity postings were made on the Grants.gov
Find Opportunities service:
[deletions]

DOI
Department of the Interior
Fish and Wildlife Service
Migratory Birds
Migratory Bird Project Support: Golden Eagle Satellite Telemetry
Grant
http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=53201

Please do not respond to this message. This is a post-only mailing.
[deletions]
[Disclaimer:
This service is provided for convenience only and does not serve as a
guarantee of email notification. Subscribers to this list service are
ultimately responsible for reviewing the Grants Opportunities site
< http://www07.grants.gov/applicants/search_opportunities.jsp> for all
information relevant to desired funding opportunities.]

***********************************************
Enviro-News is a service of the Water Quality
Information Center at the National Agricultural
Library.  The center's Web site is at
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/.

The Enviro-News list facilitates information exchange.
Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) agreement,
nor does USDA attest to the accuracy or completeness of
the item. See
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/environews.shtml#disclaimer
You can contact the list owner at
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ENVIRO-NEWS: Reinstatement of Protections for the Grizzly Bear in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem in Compliance with Court Order

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Mar 26, 2010 9:58 AM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] Reinstatement of Protections for the Grizzly Bear in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem in Compliance with Court Order
To: <Enviro-News@nal.usda.gov>

-----Original Message-----
From: EPA Federal Register [mailto:envsubset@epa.gov]
Sent: Friday, March 26, 2010 9:00 AM
Subject: [epafr-all] Federal Register Table of Contents, March 26, 2010
[deletions]

Reinstatement of Protections for the Grizzly Bear in the Greater
           Yellowstone Ecosystem in Compliance with Court Order,
14496-14498     http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-6802.htm

[deletions]

***********************************************
Enviro-News is a service of the Water Quality
Information Center at the National Agricultural
Library.  The center's Web site is at
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/.

The Enviro-News list facilitates information exchange.
Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) agreement,
nor does USDA attest to the accuracy or completeness of
the item. See
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You can contact the list owner at
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ENVIRO-NEWS: EPA Climate Change and Water News

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Mar 26, 2010 10:03 AM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] EPA Climate Change and Water News
To: <Enviro-News@nal.usda.gov>

From: water_climate_change@epa.gov [mailto:water_climate_change@epa.gov]
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2010 2:14 PM
Subject: EPA Climate Change and Water News

EPA Climate Change and Water News

EPA News

EPA Office of Water Issues National Water Program Climate Change
Strategy 2009 Progress Report

The EPA Office of Water has issued the National Water Program Climate
Change Strategy 2009 Progress Report.  The report summarizes the climate
change accomplishments of the National Water Program through 2009.  Two
fact sheets provide highlights of key activities in the Office of Water,
Regional offices, and Large Aquatic Ecosystems Programs.  Over forty key
actions in the areas of climate change mitigation, adaptation, research,
education, and management are underway.  The report and highlights
factsheets are available at:
http://www.epa.gov/ow/climatechange/implementation.html


EPA Seeking Public Comment on 303(d) Program of the Clean Water Act and
Ocean Acidification

EPA is seeking public comment on ocean acidification as it relates to
Clean Water Act section 303(d) (also known as the Total Maximum Daily
Loads Program). Ocean acidification (OA) refers to the decrease in the
pH of the Earth's oceans caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2)
from the atmosphere.  A Federal Register notice (FRN) was published on
March 22, 2010 which provides a 60 day public comment period lasting
until May 21, 2010.  In this FRN, EPA is soliciting specific input on
what considerations EPA should take into account when deciding how to
address listing of waters as threatened or impaired for OA under the
303(d) program.  Should EPA decide to issue guidance regarding the
listing of waters as threatened or impaired for OA under the 303(d)
program, EPA is using this opportunity to seek public comment on the
specific assessment, monitoring and other elements under the CWA that
EPA should consider.  Questions EPA is requesting comment on include:
What specific elements should EPA consider in regards to monitoring and
assessment? How can states or EPA otherwise aide in monitoring OA and
its impacts on marine life and ecosystems?  If waters were determined to
be threatened or impaired for OA under 303(d), what issues should EPA
and states take into account when considering how to address TMDL
development for such waters? What other federal ocean acidification
programs and initiatives should EPA take into account when deciding how
to approach OA under the 303(d) program?  By November 15, 2010, EPA will
complete a memorandum that describes how EPA intends to proceed with its
section 303(d) program in light of the responses to the notice.  The FRN
is titled "The Clean Water Act Section 303(d): Notice of Call for Public
Comment on 303(d) Program and Ocean Acidification" and is posted at:
http://www.epa.gov/owow/tmdl/oceanfrMarch_2010/


EPA Climate Ready Estuaries Program Issues 2009 Progress Report

The EPA Climate Ready Estuaries program recently issued its 2009
Progress Report, describing ongoing efforts to assist coastal
communities in preparing for the impacts of climate change.  This report
features the activities of each of the program's 11 partners and key
lessons learned in the adaptation-planning process.  The Climate Ready
Estuaries program works with the National Estuary Programs to assess
climate change vulnerabilities; develop and implement adaptation
strategies; engage and educate stakeholders; and share lessons learned
with other coastal managers.  It also helps coastal areas adapt to
climate change by providing technical, financial, communications, and
other support to its partners.  The Progress Report can be downloaded
at: http://www.epa.gov/cre/downloads/2009-CRE-Progress-Report.pdf


Other News

NOAA Climate Service to Host Webinar for Non-Governmental and
Non-Profits on March 25, 2010, 2:30 - 4:00 EDT

NOAA is hosting a series of informational webinars for individuals and
organizations to learn about the proposed NOAA Climate Service and to
provide an opportunity to answer questions, and obtain feedback.  The
webinar is targeted to non-governmental and non-profits, and will begin
with a presentation from Tom Karl, Director, NOAA National Climatic Data
Center, and Transitional Director, NOAA Climate Service, and will be
followed by a question and answer session.  Additional webinars will be
held in April for the academic community, state and local government
officials, and the corporate and business community.  For additional
information, visit:  http://www.noaa.gov/climateresources/meetings/


American Water Works Association Presents Webcast: Water Resource
Strategies for Climate Change & Shortages on March 31, 2010, 1:00 -
2:30pm EDT

Climate change and water supply stresses are causing water resource
planners to develop innovative strategies to deal with potential
shortages and water quality problems.  This webcast describes the effect
of climate change on a groundwater supply, predicted shortages for a
surface water reservoir, and how sustainability principles can be
incorporated into water planning.  The experts will discuss planning
approaches that consider sustainable resource development to optimize
supply while balancing other important concerns.  For more information,
visit:
www.awwa.org/Conferences/WebcastsDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=53680&showLogin=N


Department of the Interior and Bureau of Reclamation Announce Funding
Opportunity for WaterSMART: Water and Energy Efficiency Grants for FY
2010

The objective of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to
invite States, Tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and other
organizations with water or power delivery authority to leverage their
money and resources by cost sharing with Reclamation on projects that
conserve and use water more efficiently, increase the use of renewable
energy in the management or delivery of water, protect endangered and
threatened species, facilitate water markets, or carry out other
activities to address climate-related impacts on water or prevent any
water-related crisis or conflict.  With leveraged water sustainability
grants, an important step will be taken towards increasing conservation
for a more efficient use of water in the West.  The closing date for
grant applications is May 4, 2010.  For additional information, visit:
http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=52826


Sustainable Water Management Conference and Exposition to be Held April
11 - 13, 2010 in Albuquerque, New Mexico

The American Water Works Association will host the Sustainable Water
Management Conference and Exposition on April 11 - 13, 2010 in
Albuquerque, New Mexico.  The conference will focus on sustainable water
management with emphasis on changes in climate patterns, population and
environmental pressures, and developments in technology and energy
management.  This event will provide a venue for water community
professionals to discuss the latest developments in water conservation,
water resource planning, water reuse, desalination, energy management,
and related topics.  For additional information, visit:
http://www.awwa.org/Conferences/SustainableManagement.cfm?ItemNumber=354
0&navItemNumber=50567
[or http://tinyurl.com/yhog96z ]


EPA Climate Change and Water News is produced by the United States
Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). For more information on EPA's
climate change activities, visit http://epa.gov/climatechange.  For an
overview of climate change and water issues, visit
http://www.epa.gov/ow/climatechange.

***********************************************
Enviro-News is a service of the Water Quality
Information Center at the National Agricultural
Library.  The center's Web site is at
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/.

The Enviro-News list facilitates information exchange.
Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) agreement,
nor does USDA attest to the accuracy or completeness of
the item. See
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/environews.shtml#disclaimer
You can contact the list owner at
owner-Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov.
***********************************************

ENVIRO-NEWS: National Research Council Report: Understanding the Changing Planet: Strategic Directions for the Geographical Sciences

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Mar 26, 2010 11:07 AM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] National Research Council Report: Understanding the Changing Planet: Strategic Directions for the Geographical Sciences
To: <Enviro-News@nal.usda.gov>

Understanding the Changing Planet: Strategic Directions for the
Geographical Sciences

http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12860&utm_source=dels&utm_mediu
m=gateway&utm_campaign=delsref
or
http://tinyurl.com/ybfg4zq

Date:  March 25, 2010
Contacts:  Jennifer Walsh, Media Relations Officer
Luwam Yeibio, Media Relations Assistant
Office of News and Public Information
202-334-2138; e-mail <news@nas.edu>

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Eleven Questions for the Next Decade of Geographical Sciences Identified

WASHINGTON -- Eleven questions that should shape the next decade of
geographical sciences research were identified today in a new report by
the National Research Council.  Reflecting a time when populations are
moving and natural resources are being depleted, the questions aim to
provide a more complete understanding of where and how landscapes are
changing to help society manage and adapt to the transformation of
Earth's surface.

The committee that wrote the report solicited input from the
geographical science community to identify research priorities and the
approaches, skills, data, and infrastructure necessary to advance
research.  The strategic directions span from overarching issues of
environmental change and sustainability to specific areas in the field
that are transforming.  They are grouped by topic area, but are not
ranked in any order of importance.

How to understand and respond to environmental change:
                               *      How are we changing the physical
environment of Earth's surface?
                               *      How can we best preserve
biological diversity and protect endangered ecosystems?
                               *      How are climate and other
environmental changes affecting the vulnerabilities of coupled
human-environment systems?

How to promote sustainability:
                               *      Where and how will 10 billion
people live?
                               *      How will we sustainably feed
everyone in the coming decade and beyond?
                               *      How does where we live affect our
health?

How to recognize and cope with the rapid spatial reorganization of
economy and society:
                               *      How is the movement of people,
goods, and ideas changing the world?
                               *      How is economic globalization
affecting inequality?
                               *      How are geopolitical shifts
influencing peace and stability?

How to leverage technological change for the benefit of society and
environment:
                               *      How might we better observe,
analyze, and visualize a changing world?
                               *      What are the societal
implications of citizen mapping and mapping citizens?

The report was sponsored by the National Science Foundation, U.S.
Geological Survey, National Geographic Society, and Association of
American Geographers.  The National Academy of Sciences, National
Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research
Council make up the National Academies.  They are independent, nonprofit
institutions that provide science, technology, and health policy advice
under an 1863 congressional charter.  Committee members, who serve pro
bono as volunteers, are chosen by the Academies for each study based on
their expertise and experience and must satisfy the Academies'
conflict-of-interest standards.  The resulting consensus reports undergo
external peer review before completion.  For more information, visit
http://national-academies.org/studycommitteprocess.pdf.  A committee
roster follows.

Copies of Understanding the Changing Planet: Strategic Directions for
the Geographical Sciences
<http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12860>  are available from the
National Academies Press; tel. 202-334-3313 or 1-800-624-6242 or on the
Internet at http://www.nap.edu.  Reporters may obtain a copy from the
Office of News and Public Information (contacts listed above).

#       #       #

[ This news release and report are available at
http://national-academies.org ]

NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
Division on Earth and Life Studies
Board on Earth Sciences and Resources

Committee on Strategic Directions for the Geographical Sciences in the
Next Decade

Alexander B. Murphy (chair)
Professor of Geography, and
James F. and Shirley K. Rippey Chair in Liberal Arts and Sciences
University of Oregon
Eugene

Nancy Colleton
President
Institute for Global Environmental Strategies
Arlington, Va.

Roger M. Downs
Professor
Department of Geography
Pennsylvania State University
University Park

Michael F. Goodchild *
Professor
Department of Geography
University of California
Santa Barbara

Susan Hanson *
Research Professor
School of Geography
Clark University
Worcester, Mass.

Victoria A. Lawson
Professor of Geography
University of Washington
Seattle

Glen M. MacDonald
Professor
Department of Geography
University of California
Los Angeles

Francis J. Magilligan
Professor
Department of Geography
Dartmouth College
Hanover, N.H.

William G. Moseley
Associate Professor of Geography
Macalester College
St. Paul, Minn.

Colin Polsky
Associate Professor
Graduate School of Geography
Clark University
Worcester, Mass.

Karen C. Seto
Associate Professor
School of Forestry and Environmental Studies
Yale University
New Haven, Conn.

Dawn J. Wright
Professor of Geography and Oceanography
Department of Geosciences
Oregon State University
Corvallis

RESEARCH COUNCIL STAFF

Mark Lange
Study Director

* Member, National Academy of Sciences

[Press release from
www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=12860 ]

***********************************************
Enviro-News is a service of the Water Quality
Information Center at the National Agricultural
Library.  The center's Web site is at
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/.

The Enviro-News list facilitates information exchange.
Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) agreement,
nor does USDA attest to the accuracy or completeness of
the item. See
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/environews.shtml#disclaimer
You can contact the list owner at
owner-Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov.
***********************************************

Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton's address to World Water Day

World Water Day
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
National Geographic Society
Washington, DC

March 22, 2010

Transcript and video at
http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2010/03/138737.htm

******************************

*****************
Enviro-News is a service of the Water Quality
Information Center at the National Agricultural
Library.  The center's Web site is at
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/.

The Enviro-News list facilitates information exchange.
Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) agreement,
nor does USDA attest to the accuracy or completeness of
the item. See
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/environews.shtml#disclaimer

AP

www.AskAquaPro.com
AquaPro@AskaquaPro.com 


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Enviro News: USDA, DOE & NSF Agree to Joint Climate Change Prediction Research Program

USDA
Release No. 0141.10
Contact: Jennifer Martin (202) 720-8188

USDA, DOE & NSF Agree to Joint Climate Change Prediction Research
Program

WASHINGTON - March 22, 2010 - The U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA)
and Energy (DOE) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) today created
a joint research program that designates nearly $50 million to develop
climate system models that provide insights on climate variability and
impacts on ecosystems.

"Climate change and its impacts on the land, crops and animals raise
some of the most serious issues faced by producers and by society at
large," said Roger Beachy, director of USDA's National Institute of Food
and Agriculture. "It is important to understand its potential effect on
our world and how we can proactively mitigate its consequences. Accurate
and reliable scientific information is critical to sustain economically
viable agricultural operations."

USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), DOE and NSF
will release a request for proposals for the program in Fiscal Year
2010.

The program seeks proposals that couple climate models at different
spatial and temporal scales to erosion, geomorphic change, land use,
water management and food production.

In FY 2010, NSF will contribute approximately $30 million, DOE
approximately $9 million and USDA approximately $10 million. This joint
solicitation allows these partner agencies to combine resources and fund
the highest-impact projects that support their respective missions
without duplicating efforts.

USDA will support research to develop climate models that can be linked
to crop, forestry, aquaculture and livestock models to assess the
adequacy of potential outcomes of risk management strategies so that
development and yields can be projected reliably at different spatial
and temporal scales.

Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and
extension programs, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solving
critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future.
More information is at: www.nifa.usda.gov.

#
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a
complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil
Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or
call (800) 795-3272(voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).

#

[USDA news releases are available in the "Newsroom" section at
http://www.usda.gov/ .]



******************************

*****************
Enviro-News is a service of the Water Quality
Information Center at the National Agricultural
Library.  The center's Web site is at
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/.

The Enviro-News list facilitates information exchange.
Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) agreement,
nor does USDA attest to the accuracy or completeness of
the item. See
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/environews.shtml#disclaimer
You can contact the list owner at
owner-Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov.
***********************************************

AP

www.AskAquaPro.com
AquaPro@AskaquaPro.com 


www.AquaProSolutions.com, www.AquaEnvi.org, www.AshevilleGreenPlumbing.com,

Enviro News: EPA Releases Public Database on Risk Assessments

From: U.S. EPA [mailto:usaepa@govdelivery.com

Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 11:14 AM
Subject: Research News Release (HQ): EPA Releases Public Database on
Risk Assessments


CONTACT:
Latisha Petteway
petteway.latisha@epa.gov
202-564-3191
202-564-4355

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2010

EPA Releases Public Database on Risk Assessments

WASHINGTON - Today, EPA is releasing the Health and Environmental
Research Online (HERO) database, a milestone in transparency.  HERO
provides access to the scientific studies used in making key regulatory
decisions, including EPA's periodic review of the National Ambient Air
Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six major pollutants.  It is part of the
open government directive to conduct business with transparency,
participation, and collaboration.

"The HERO database strengthens our science and our transparency -- two
pillars of our work at EPA.  Giving the public easy access to the same
information EPA uses will help open the lines of communication, increase
knowledge and understanding, and open the doors of EPA," said EPA
Administrator Lisa P. Jackson.  "Americans have a right to know the
background of decisions that affect their lives and livelihoods.  We're
taking a big step forward in opening government to the people."

The publically accessible HERO database provides an easy way to review
the scientific literature behind EPA science assessments, which are used
to support agency decision-making.  The database includes more than
300,000 scientific articles including the authors, titles, dates, and
abstracts.  In addition, through a simple keyword search, anyone can see
information from the articles that were used to develop specific risk
assessments.

HERO includes peer-reviewed literature used by EPA to develop its
Integrated Science Assessments (ISA) that feed into the NAAQS review.
It also includes references and data from the Integrated Risk
Information System (IRIS), a database that supports critical agency
policymaking for chemical regulation.

More information on HERO database: http://www.epa.gov/hero

More information on IRIS: http://www.epa.gov/iris

R086
 [deletions]

***********************************************
Enviro-News is a service of the Water Quality
Information Center at the National Agricultural
Library.  The center's Web site is at
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/.

The Enviro-News list facilitates information exchange.
Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) agreement,
nor does USDA attest to the accuracy or completeness of
the item. See
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/environews.shtml#disclaimer
***********************************************

AP

www.AskAquaPro.com
AquaPro@AskaquaPro.com 


www.AquaProSolutions.com, www.AquaEnvi.org, www.AshevilleGreenPlumbing.com,

ENVIRO-NEWS; USDA, DOE & NSF Agree to Joint Climate Change Prediction Research Program

USDA
Release No. 0141.10
Contact: Jennifer Martin (202) 720-8188

USDA, DOE & NSF Agree to Joint Climate Change Prediction Research
Program

WASHINGTON - March 22, 2010 - The U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA)
and Energy (DOE) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) today created
a joint research program that designates nearly $50 million to develop
climate system models that provide insights on climate variability and
impacts on ecosystems.

"Climate change and its impacts on the land, crops and animals raise
some of the most serious issues faced by producers and by society at
large," said Roger Beachy, director of USDA's National Institute of Food
and Agriculture. "It is important to understand its potential effect on
our world and how we can proactively mitigate its consequences. Accurate
and reliable scientific information is critical to sustain economically
viable agricultural operations."

USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), DOE and NSF
will release a request for proposals for the program in Fiscal Year
2010.

The program seeks proposals that couple climate models at different
spatial and temporal scales to erosion, geomorphic change, land use,
water management and food production.

In FY 2010, NSF will contribute approximately $30 million, DOE
approximately $9 million and USDA approximately $10 million. This joint
solicitation allows these partner agencies to combine resources and fund
the highest-impact projects that support their respective missions
without duplicating efforts.

USDA will support research to develop climate models that can be linked
to crop, forestry, aquaculture and livestock models to assess the
adequacy of potential outcomes of risk management strategies so that
development and yields can be projected reliably at different spatial
and temporal scales.

Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and
extension programs, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solving
critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future.
More information is at: www.nifa.usda.gov.


**********************************************
Enviro-News is a service of the Water Quality
Information Center at the National Agricultural
Library.  The center's Web site is at
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/.

The Enviro-News list facilitates information exchange.
Inclusion of an item in Enviro-News does not imply
United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) agreement,
nor does USDA attest to the accuracy or completeness of
the item. See
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/environews.shtml#disclaimer
You can contact the list owner at
owner-Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov.
***********************************************

Earth Hour Is March 27th at 8:30pm. Please participate!

Earth hours is a worldwide community participation event that helps raise awareness to environmental issues, particularly climate change.  Participation it is voluntary. Will you participate? I hope so. On march 27th at 8:30 pm, turn off all your lights and send a message of support for  global warming initiatives to our governments.
Make it something special to do with family or friends.



AP








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AquaPro@AskaquaPro.com 

www.AquaProSolutions.com, www.AquaEnvi.org, www.AshevilleGreenPlumbing.com,

TOXIC SUBSTANCE CONTROL RECORDS BECOME PUBLIC INFORMATION

This is very big news!! For the first time since the creation of the EPA's Toxic Substance Control Act, these once secret records are now available for public viewing. Below is the EPA press release I received on March 15th. My apologies for the delay in posting this information. It has been a very busy week in AquaPro World. Please take advantage of the opportunity to educate yourself on what manufacturers have until now been able to keep out of the public domain. Some 84,000 chemicals can now be reviewed. There are still over 17,000 chemicals that remain unreleased in the EPA list due to manufacturers "proprietary information". But this is a huge step in the right direction for the public's right to know.




Sent: Monday, March 15, 2010 2:06 PM
Subject: EPA News Release (HQ): EPA Makes Chemical Information More
Accessible to Public

CONTACT:
Dale Kemery
kemery.dale@epa.gov
202-564-7839
202-564-4455

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 15, 2010


EPA Makes Chemical Information More Accessible to Public
For the first time, TSCA chemical inventory free of charge online

WASHINGTON - As part of Administrator Lisa P. Jackson's strong
commitment to increase information on chemicals, for the first time, EPA
is providing web access, free of charge, to the Toxic Substances Control
Act (TSCA) Chemical Substance Inventory. This inventory contains a
consolidated list of thousands of industrial chemicals maintained by the
agency.  EPA is also making this information available on Data.Gov, a
website developed by the Obama Administration to provide public access
to important government information.  This action represents another
step to increase the transparency of chemical information while
continuing to push for legislative reform of the 30 year old TSCA law.

"Increasing the public's access to information on chemicals is one of
Administrator Jackson's top priorities," said Steve Owens, assistant
administrator for EPA's Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic
Substances. "The American people are entitled to easily accessible
information on chemicals, and today's action is part of a series of
ongoing steps that EPA is taking to empower the public with this
important information."

Until now, the consolidated public portion of the TSCA Inventory has
only been available by purchase from the National Technical Reports
Library or other databases.  By adding the consolidated TSCA Inventory
to the Agency's website and to Data.Gov, EPA is making this information
readily available to the public at no cost.

Currently, there are more than 84,000 chemicals manufactured, used, or
imported in the U.S. listed on the TSCA Inventory. However, EPA is
unable to publicly identify nearly 17,000 of these chemicals because the
chemicals have been claimed as confidential business information under
TSCA by the manufacturers.  Under Administrator Jackson's leadership,
EPA has already begun a series of aggressive steps to provide greater
transparency on chemical risk information, including an announcement in
January that signaled EPA's intent to reduce a certain type of
confidentiality claim, or Confidential Business Information (CBI) claim,
on the identity of chemicals

In the coming months, EPA will take further steps to increase
transparency and make more information available to the public,
including adding TSCA facility information, and the list of chemicals
manufactured to the Facility Registry System (FRS). FRS is an integrated
database that provides the public with easier access to EPA's
environmental information and better tools for cross-media environmental
analysis. The addition of TSCA facility and chemical databases to FRS
will provide the public with information on the facilities in their
communities using industrial chemicals.

For information about EPA's increasing transparency on chemical risk
information see
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/bd4379a92ceceeac8525735900400c2
7/631cf22eb540c4db852576b2004eca47!OpenDocument
[or http://tinyurl.com/yhegw6l ]
For access to the entire TSCA Inventory, please visit
http://www.epa.gov/oppt/newchems/pubs/invntory.htm

AP

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AquaPro@AskaquaPro.com 


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WaterSense News: Approved Showerheads Coming Soon!

Good news for water efficiency is on the horizon. On March 4, EPA WaterSense division announced the final specification for showerheads. Manufacturers can now submit showerheads for testing to qualify for the WaterSense label. Consumers will soon be able to renovate their bathrooms utilizing a full suite of WaterSense labeled products.   

If every household in the United States installed WaterSense labeled showerheads, it would save Americans more than $1.5 billion on their water bills, and more than 250 billion gallons per year. That is enough water to supply more than 2.5 million U.S. homes with the water they need for a year. In addition, this simple change would also reduce the nation’s heating water energy bills by $2.5 billion.

Standard showerheads use a minimum of 2.5 gallons of water per minute (gpm). WaterSense labeled showerheads will have been tested and to demonstrate that they use no more than 2.0 gpm. As with all WaterSense specifications, EPA included performance criteria to ensure a good shower experience. EPA worked with a variety of stakeholders—including consumers who tested various showerheads—to develop criteria for water coverage and spray intensity. Independent laboratories test showerheads for these attributes before certifying them to earn the WaterSense label.

Whether they are replacing an older, inefficient showerhead or simply looking for ways to reduce water use and utility bills in the home, consumers can look for the WaterSense label on showerheads, faucets, aerators and toilets to help identify models that save water and conform to the WaterSense guidlines for quality and performance. EPA encourages partners and interested to help raise awareness about WaterSense labeled showerheads when they begin to hit the marketplace in April!  For more information, please visit www.epa.gov/watersense.

If manufacturers have questions about joining WaterSense or having products tested for WaterSense labeling, please contact the WaterSense Helpline at (866) WTR-SENS (987-7367) or e-mail watersense@epa.gov.

Stop by again soon,

AP

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AquaPro@AskaquaPro.com 

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Why Conserve Water?

Why should I conserve water? There is plenty of it...right?

I'm going to touch briefly on how, I believe, people actually think (or don't think) about the subject of water conservation. Lets agree that, for the most part, the average citizen in this country is not concerned with water conservation for whatever reason and that awareness needs to be heightened about the environmental issues that plague this planet due to lack of drinkable water in some parts of the world. We won't even get started on the subject of pollution. Lets save that for another discussion.

That being established, I will attempt to relate the importance of water conservation to the environmentally unconcerned on a level we can all relate to... MONEY. By sharing my own journey to awareness, hopefully I will inspire others to make an effort.

As a boy, and even as a young adult, living in my parents home, my main concern regarding water was that the shower head in my bathroom felt like someone opened a fire hydrant on my back and that the toilet tank dumped enough water into the bowl that I wouldn't have to reach for the plunger. I didn't pay the water bill.

Now its a different story. While living in an apartment in West Asheville, I was reminded that the city expected me to pay for the water I used. After a couple of $90 - $ 100 water bills I installed water efficient aerators on all the faucets, a water efficient shower head, and a
high efficiency Flapperless toilet (HET); all of which were EPA Water Sense recommended products. I could see a noticeable difference in the amount of MONEY I was spending for water. It didn't cost much to make these changes, I could see tangible and immediate results and they all worked great. The Niagara Flapperless toilet by the way, is an incredibly smart and simple design that flushes better than most tank toilets I have used.

These days, I own a home. I pay $25 per month to a Home Owners Association for my water and for road maintenance. Great! I can use as much water as I want... right?... Wrong. This home has a septic system. All that great low fixed rate water I use dumps directly into it. Said septic system is 23 years old and has some issues with roots so all the money I save (and then some) by not paying the city for water or sewer goes straight into having a repair field installed for my overworked and over saturated septic system. Even if there were no root issues, a family of 5 can saturate an aging drain field in no time. Now what?

You guessed it. Water efficient aerators on all the faucets, water efficient shower heads in both showers, and water efficient toilets in both bathrooms. 2 of the 4 inch lines going to my leach field are still clogged with roots leaving me only one 4 inch leach line but my septic system is functioning just fine and should continue to do so until the spring when I can dig it up and replace the root impacted sections of pipe. I'll probably never have to install a repair field as long as I continue to be mind full of conserving water in my home. That saves me MONEY ($ 2300 to be exact).

If I'm unsuccessful at changing the world and how it thinks with regards to being environmentally conscious, and being a good steward of the planet, by appealing to peoples sense of social responsibility then I'll do it by showing them how conserving water will save them MONEY.

PB


www.AskAquaPro.com


AquaPro@AskaquaPro.com


http://www.aquaprosolutions.com/, http://www.aquaenvi.org/, www.AshevilleGreenPlumbing.com,

Water Quality Today: Iron

IRON IN DRINKING WATER

Iron is one of the most troublesome elements in water supplies. Making up at least 5 percent of the earth’s crust, iron is one of the earth’s most plentiful resources. Rainwater as it infiltrates the soil and underlying geologic formations dissolves iron, causing it to seep into aquifers that serve as sources of groundwater for wells. Although present in drinking water, iron is seldom found at concentrations greater than 10 milligrams per liter (mg/l) or 10 parts per million. However, as little as 0.3 mg/l can cause water to turn a reddish brown color.
Iron is mainly present in water in two forms: either the soluble ferrous iron or the insoluble ferric iron. Water containing ferrous iron is clear and colorless because the iron is completely dissolved. When exposed to air in the pressure tank or atmosphere, the water turns cloudy and a reddish brown substance begins to form. This sediment is the oxidized or ferric form of iron that will not dissolve in water.

Health
Iron is not hazardous to health, but it is considered a secondary or aesthetic contaminant. Essential for good health, iron helps transport oxygen in the blood. Most tap water in the United States supplies approximately 5 percent of the dietary requirement for iron.

Taste and Food
Dissolved ferrous iron gives water a disagreeable taste. When the iron combines with tea, coffee and other beverages, it produces an inky, black appearance and a harsh, unacceptable taste. Vegetables cooked in water containing excessive iron turn dark and look unappealing.

Stains and Deposits
Concentrations of iron as low as 0.3 mg/l will leave reddish brown stains on fixtures, tableware and laundry that can be very hard to remove. When these deposits break loose from water piping, rusty water will flow through the faucet.

Iron Bacteria
When iron exists along with certain kinds of bacteria, problems can become much worse. Bacteria feed on the iron, leaving behind a reddish brown or yellow slime that can clog plumbing and cause an offensive odor. This slime or sludge is most noticeable in the tank of the toilet when the lid is removed.

Organic Iron
Iron combines with different naturally occurring organic materials; it may also exist as an organic complex. The combination of naturally occurring organic material and iron can be found in shallow wells and surface water. This type of iron is usually yellow or brown but may be colorless.

Test Your Water
If there is an iron problem with the water supply, the first step is to determine the source. The source of iron may be from the corrosion of iron or steel pipes or other components of the plumbing system where the acidity of the water, measured as pH, is below 6.5.
A lab analysis of water to determine the extent of the iron problem and possible treatment solutions should begin with a test for iron concentration. A water sample kit can be obtained from a certified laboratory. The laboratory’s instructions for collecting the water sample should be followed. Collect the sample as close to the well as possible.
If the source of water is a public water system and you experience iron-related problems, it is important to contact a utility official to determine whether the red water is from the public system or from the home’s plumbing or piping.

Treatment Considerations
 Before choosing a water treatment method or device, answer the following questions:
1. What form of iron do I have in my water system?
2. According to the water test results, will the water treatment unit remove the total iron concentration? (Total iron includes both soluble and insoluble iron.)
3. Will the treatment unit treat the water at the flow rate required for my water system?
4. Will the pH have to be adjusted prior to a particular treatment?
5. Would the construction of a new well or the reconstruction of an existing well be more cost effective than a long-term iron removal treatment process?

Iron water is one of those conditions that will need to be addressed or the long term effects will create additional problems later. Don't put it off.

AP

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AquaPro@AskaquaPro.com 


www.AquaProSolutions.com, www.AquaEnvi.org, www.AshevilleGreenPlumbing.com, www.H2oEasy.com