Groundwater at N.J. Superfund site could still be dangerous
WARREN COUNTY, NJ, May 7, 2012 (Water Tech) — Untreated private water in Warren County, N.J. could potentially increase the risk of cancer and birth defects, according toThe Express-Times.
Groundwater at the Pohatcong Valley Groundwater Contamination Superfund Site was deemed safe to drink by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, but there is still reason for concern for private water users, noted the article.
The aquifer that supplies most of the county with water is contaminated with tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene and the impact of these contaminants depends on the type of water treatment, stated the article.
To be safe, public water sources and private wells should use a POE system, according to the article.
Multi-Pure Commentary:
Multipure Drinking Water Systems have been certified by NSF International, under Standard 53, to reduce Tetrachloroethylene and Trichloroethylene, VOC's.
Vermont close to becoming first U.S. state to ban fracking for natural gas
MONTPELIER, VT, May 9, 2012 (Water Tech) — The state of Vermont is preparing to become the first U.S. state to successfully ban hydraulic fracturing for natural gas, according to the Environment News Service.
A May 4 vote of 103-36 by the Vermont House of Representatives secured the approval needed to send the measure to the desk of Governor Peter Shumlin who is expected to sign the law, stated the article.
“We don’t want to be shooting chemicals into our groundwater in pursuit of gas that does not exist,” Governor Shumlin said Friday after the House vote.
Study shows toxic substances finding way to Columbia River through treatment plants
SEATTLE, WA, May 10, 2012 (Water Tech) — A recent study shows that more than 100 toxic substances are working their way into the Columbia River through wastewater treatment plants, according to the Seattle Times.
“In the past people thought of pollution in the river in terms of smokestack industry on the river or dirty pipes,” said Jennifer Morace, the U.S. Geological Survey hydrologist who was lead investigator on the study. “This links it back to what we do in our everyday lives, what goes down the drain and to the wastewater treatment plant, and the fact they were not designed to remove the new or emerging contaminants.”
N.J. American water switching from free chlorine to chloramines in certain counties
VOORHEES, NJ, May 11, 2012 (Water Tech) — New Jersey American Water customers will notice a less chlorinated smell and taste to their drinking water starting May 28, according to a press release.
The company will be changing its water treatment disinfectant for customers in Monmouth and Ocean Counties from free chlorine to chloramines, stated the release.
“The use of chloramine is new to our customers in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, but it is a water treatment process that has been in use for 90 years. Chloramine is used in other areas of New Jersey American Water's distribution system and is common across the U.S. and other utilities in New Jersey,” said Steve Schmitt, New Jersey American Water's vice president of operations.
Multi-Pure Commentary:
Multipure Drinking Water Systems have been certified by NSF International, under Standard 53, to reduce Chloramine.
NGWA urges private well owners to test water regularly for contaminants
WESTERVILLE, OH, May 14, 2012 (Water Tech) — The National Ground Water Association (NGWA) said private water well owners should test their water regularly for bacteria, nitrate and anything of local concern, citing the possibility of arsenic and uranium in some central and northeastern Massachusetts bedrock wells, according to a press release.
If well owners find arsenic or uranium at levels that exceed health benchmarks, the substances can be treated effectively, said NGWA in the release.
It was reported this week (May7-11) that only 10 of about 1,500 owners of private wells in Northborough, Mass. tested their water for arsenic and uranium in response to a letter sent to all residents a year ago by Jamie Terry, board of health agent, stated the release.
Multi-Pure Commentary:
Multi-Pure’s MP880 and MP750 Plus RO has been certified by NSF International, under Standard 53, to reduce Arsenic
Bottled water company to pay $2 million for using unfiltered water
KONA, HI, May 16, 2012 (Water Tech) — Koyo USA, a company that sells bottled water from the ocean off Kona, Hawaii, has agreed to pay a $2 million settlement to the department of health for using unfiltered water, according to KHON 2 News.
The initial fine was over $5 million against the company being accused by the state of diverting concentrated ocean water that had been rejected by its reverse osmosis system, stated the article.
“For reasons no one can understand or explain a small bypass was put in taking some of the unfiltered water into the final drinking product,” said Department of Health Deputy Director of Environmental Health Gary Gill.
N.C. could experience great risks on drinking water during hydraulic fracturing
RALEIGH, NC, May 21, 2012 (Water Tech) — A move to allow hydraulic fracturing in the state of North Carolina could create higher risks to its drinking water than in other states, according to the News Observer.
The natural gas reserves are much closer to the groundwater and the rocks could permit potent fracking chemicals to work their way up to pollute the aquifers, stated the article.
This process will take years of planning so state officials can figure out the safest way to conduct fracking practices without hurting residents, farm animals, crops and natural habitats, noted the article. |
No comments:
Post a Comment