Be Sure! Test And Be Safe.

The US boast some of the best fresh water sources on the planet. Most of Americas water supplies are considered safe but we should never take this for granted. There are many things that can occur within a source or distribution system that can change the quality of the water supplied to our homes. 

There are thousands contaminants and substances that can adversely effect the safety and quality of our tap water and the concentrations of many of them is increasing.  Some contaminants are not regulated or adequately controlled even though they are known to pose immediate health problems when present in our potable water. Some chemicals that are known to present human health risks are intentionally used to treat public water supplies in an effort to minimize or prevent bacterial and viral contamination. 

A report by the National Defense Council stated that scientists estimate that each year as many as 7 million Americans become sick from drinking contaminated tap water. The NRDC conducted a review of 19 major citys throughout the US which found that pollution, old piping and outdated water treatment facilities that posed direct threats to tap water quality. Heavy metals such as Murcury and Lead have become pervasive throughout the environment and easily find their way into our water supplies. 

Concerns about drinking water quality are on the rise in the US and around the world. Unfortunately most people assume that their water is safe and therefore take no precautions to ensure it is; the risk are much greater than you might believe. 
The most important message I want to impart is that you need to take precautions and control of the water you use. It is very important to monitor and test the quality of your water to be sure it is, in fact, safe for your family.

Be sure! Test and be safe; your health or life could be at risk.

 
AP

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ENVIRO-NEWS- Millions of Americans at risk from poisoned water

40 Million Americans at risk from widespread elevated elevated levels of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Much of the Nation's Streams and Groundwater sources.
See below EPA Environment News release for more details.
AP

On Sep 24, 2010 11:23 AM, "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov> wrote:
This release can be found in the USGS Newsroom at: http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2599 .

News Release
________________________________________
September 23, 2010

Neil Dubrovsky
(916) 278-3078
nmdubrov@usgs.gov
Kara Capelli
(571) 420-9408
kcapelli@usgs.gov

Elevated Nitrogen and Phosphorus Still Widespread in Much of the Nation's Streams and Groundwater

Complete findings, as well as a USGS fact sheet, podcast, and graphics are available online.
Elevated concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus, nutrients that can negatively impact aquatic ecosystems and human health, have remained the same or increased in many streams and aquifers across the Nation since the early 1990's, according to a new national study by the U.S. Geological Survey.

"This USGS report provides the most comprehensive national-scale assessment to date of nitrogen and phosphorus in our streams and groundwater," said Marcia McNutt, USGS Director. "For years we have known that these same nutrients in high concentrations have resulted in 'dead zones' when they reach our estuaries, such as during the spring at the mouth of the Mississippi, and now we have improved science-based explanations of when, where, and how elevated concentrations reach our streams and aquifers and affect aquatic life and the quality of our drinking water."

"Despite major Federal, State and local efforts and expenditures to control sources and movement of nutrients within our Nation's watersheds, national-scale progress was not evident in this assessment, which is based on thousands of measurements and hundreds of studies across the country from the 1990's and early 2000's," said Matthew C. Larsen, USGS Associate Director for Water.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, nutrient pollution has consistently ranked as one of the top three causes of degradation in U.S. streams and rivers for decades.

USGS findings show that widespread concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus remain two to ten times greater than levels recommended by the EPA to protect aquatic life. Most often, these elevated levels were found in agricultural and urban streams. These findings show that continued reductions in nutrient sources and implementation of land-management strategies for reducing nutrient delivery to streams are needed to meet EPA recommended levels in most regions.

Nutrients occur naturally in water and are needed for plant growth and productive aquatic ecosystems; however, in high concentrations nutrients often result in the growth of large amounts of algae and other nuisance plants in streams, lakes and estuaries. The decay of these plants and algae can cause areas of low dissolved oxygen, known as hypoxic, or "dead," zones that stress or kill aquatic life. Some forms of algae release toxins that can result in health concerns.

The study also found that nitrate is a continuing human-health concern in many shallow aquifers across the Nation that are sources of drinking water. In agricultural areas, more than one in five shallow, private wells contained nitrate at levels above the EPA drinking water standard. The quality and safety of water from private wells-which are a source of drinking water for about 40 million people-are not regulated by the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act and are the responsibility of the homeowner.
Because nitrate can persist in groundwater for years and even decades, nitrate concentrations are likely to increase in aquifers used for public drinking-water supplies during at least the next decade, as shallow groundwater with high nutrient concentrations moves downward into deeper aquifers.

"Strategies designed to reduce nutrient inputs on the land will improve the quality of water in near-surface parts of aquifers; however, decades may pass before quality improves in deeper parts of the aquifer, which serve as major sources for public-supply wells," said Neil Dubrovsky, USGS hydrologist and lead scientist on this study. "Unfortunately, similar time delays for improvements are expected for streams that receive substantial inputs of groundwater."

A variety of sources can contribute nutrients to surface and groundwater, such as wastewater and industrial discharges, fertilizer and manure applications to agricultural land, runoff from urban areas, and atmospheric sources. USGS findings show that nutrient sources and resulting concentrations vary across the Nation. For example, concentrations of nitrogen generally are highest in agricultural streams in the Northeast, Midwest, and the Northwest, which have some of the most intense applications of fertilizer and manure in the Nation.

Differences in concentrations across the Nation also are due to natural features and human activities. For example, concentrations of nitrogen in streams draining parts of the agricultural Midwest are increased by contributions from artificial subsurface tile drains that are used to promote rapid dewatering of poorly drained soils. Conversely, concentrations of nitrate in streams draining parts of the Southeast appear to dissipate faster as a result of enhanced natural removal processes in soils and streams.

"This nationwide assessment of sources and natural and human factors that control how nutrients enter our streams and groundwater helps decision-makers anticipate where watersheds are most vulnerable to contamination and set priorities and management actions in different geographic regions of the country," said Dubrovsky.

For more than 125 years, the USGS has served as the Nation's water monitoring agency, including flow and (or) quality in selected streams and rivers across the U.S. USGS continues to work closely with the EPA, U.S. Department of Agriculture, the States, and local watersheds to assure that USGS monitoring and assessments provide useful information for managing nutrients throughout the Nation.

Water-quality data from more than 1,300 locations, much of it in real-time, is available through USGS Water Quality Watch < http://waterwatch.usgs.gov/wqwatch/ >. Additional information about surface water, groundwater and water quality is available at National Water Information System Web Interface < http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/ >. You can also receive instant, customized updates about water conditions by subscribing to WaterAlert < http://water.usgs.gov/wateralert/ >, a new service from the USGS.

AP

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Drugs on tap; Keeping Pharmecuticals Out Of Our Water Supply

There is a lot to be concerned about when it comes to contaminants in our water supplies. One of the biggest concern in recent years has been the discovery of measurable concentrations of  Pharmaceutical drugs in public water supplies. Improvements in our ability to test for such contaminants has lead to the realization that  these drugs are present and in concentrations that are concerning to say the least. The EPA ha funded a Pilot "Mail-Back Program" in an effort to asses the viability of preventing consumers from disposing of leftover prescription medications in ways that allow them to get in into the water supply systems. With the amount of prescriptions being improperly disposed of, there is real cause for concern, especially for young children and the elderly. Below is a press release that came out today about the EPA funded program.
 

ENVIRO NEWS:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2010

Report Released on Pharmaceutical Mail-back Pilot Program Funded by EPA

Agency provided $150,000 grant to University of Maine's Center on Aging
to undertake study

WASHINGTON -Through a grant awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), the University of Maine's Center on Aging has completed
the first statewide mail-back pilot program for managing pharmaceutical
waste from consumers. Studies show that pharmaceuticals are present in
our nation's waterbodies and that certain drugs may cause ecological
harm. EPA is currently evaluating the potential risks associated with
pharmaceuticals and personal care products on public health and aquatic
life.

"This pilot is important because it has filled research gaps about the
volumes and types of medications that can end up in our waters, and
affect our ecosystems," said Peter S. Silva, assistant administrator for
EPA's Office of Water. "The pilot also gave residents a way to serve as
environmental stewards to reduce water pollution."

The program included the use of mailers to return unused and unwanted
medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, from households.

Maine Care (Maine's Medicaid program) established a limit for certain
drugs on the quantity that can be filled with an initial prescription.
This policy is targeted at reducing the supply and accumulation of
unused medications and to prevent pollution. The Maine legislature also
recognized the value of the take-back pilot and enacted legislation to
continue the program for an additional two years. As part of the EPA
grant, the University of Maine's Center on Aging  developed a handbook
on the project and collected data on the type and amount of unused
medications.

The grant is part of EPA's larger efforts to protect the health of older
adults and encourage older adults to engage in environmental stewardship
in their communities. Older adults were actively involved in the design
and implementation of the safe medicine disposal; for Maine pilot
program.

To view the executive summary of the report:
http://www.epa.gov/aging/RX-report-Exe-Sum/


CONTACT:
Enesta Jones
jones.enesta@epa.gov
202-564-7873
202-564-4355


Pharmaceuticals in my water is very bad news.

AP

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Robert Glennon; Unquenchable, and genuine

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Robert Glennon, the author of Unquenchable: America's Water Crisis and What To Do about It. He has recently been a guest on The Daily show.

He was a guest speaker at Warren Wilson College as part of their new environmental lecture serious. Mr. Glennon provided some unique insights for consideration. I am very thankful for his efforts and devotion to educate the public and bring attention to the state of the water situation in the US. He is very passionate in his attempts to “wake up" the American public to this potential crisis without being alarmist. I found his points of view and expectations very realistic and well researched. I recommend his book as “well worth reading”.

AP
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Who is Aqua Pro Solutions?

AquaPro Solutions is based in the ancient, scenic mountains of Western North Carolina. We are a privately owned, globally minded company with a humbled appreciation for the fragile environment that surrounds us. Our founder possesses over 25 years experience in the water service and treatment industries.

Our team works together with architects, engineers, designers and contractors to offer water conservation solutions for large scale projects such as hotels, stadiums, schools, and municipal buildings. (Members of these professions are encouraged to contact us directly for custom pricing and quotes for large orders.) We also provide products to homeowners and small businesses who wish to reduce water waste, increase water quality and experience savings on utility bills. In the interest of better serving our clients, we have representatives positioned in North America, Central and South America, the United Kingdom and greater Europe. Additionally, we offer world-wide shipping for all of our products.

Each of our inventory items has been thoroughly investigated, tested, and approved with the consumer’s best interest in mind. AquaPro products are carefully constructed using UL, NSF, and WQA approved parts and media. Upon request, we will provide documentation to substantiate any claim we make regarding product life, performance, effectiveness or LEED points.

AquaPro Solutions strongly encourages sustainable practices and is in business to help people become better educated about the importance of water quality and water conservation, offer solutions for problems to consumers from our vast line of products, and to promote a greener, cleaner earth.

Combined with limited manufacturer’s warranties, our 60-Day Money Back Product Satisfaction Guarantee* allows to you make your purchase with ease of mind. We hold this policy as one of our core values. At AquaPro Solutions, you will receive post-sales service that cannot be rivaled. We believe that our job does not end with the sale. The AquaPro Solutions team will always be available to assist you with your questions and concerns.

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