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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2012 22:09:53 GMT -7
I would consider having activated carbon sealed and on hand anyway. Dollar for dollar, it is the most effective filtration system dollar for dollar. It won't catch everything, but it will catch a lot. Where would one find this carbon and hwo much would you recommend to keep on hand? What kind of water filter system or softener system would you recommend for those of us with deep wells on large aquafiers?
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Post by dtucker on Jun 23, 2012 5:00:26 GMT -7
I did find out last nite that there is another well on the property. This well was tested years ago and they made them quit using it because there were diesel tanks near it and the new well was drilled which is the one we are using now. They are about 120 ft. apart
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Post by solargeek1 on Jun 23, 2012 5:40:58 GMT -7
There are many very inexpensive activated charcoal filters. But don't use a faucet filter as they are not as effective. Talk to your EPA guy and see if an undersink mount would be enough. You change those on a set schedule (sometimes monthly, sometimes every other month and in great cases every 3 months - but it all depends on the contamination levels, your water usage and what other contaminants are in your water) Basically, AC (activated charcoal) can and does remove tastes and odors and some VOCs (volatile organic compounds) which can include your toxins. But the rub is that it is an broad brush removal system that can be compromised quicky if you have sediment, dissolved solids, or other VOCs in your water. I used to work for a water conditioning company and also practice law cleaning ground water from VOCs, PCBs, and mercury so know just enough to be dangerous. Put your landlord on notice formally by sending a demand letter registered mail telling him/her HE is responsible for your water supply. Tell him in the letter to keep you fully informed of every communication he has, verbal or written with any agency re the water contamination or potential contamination. I have to go clean our condo we moved yesterday and have showings today at 11 am. I will post more later tonight. DO not drink the water of course, nor cook with it, and check to see if you have any ice tea you made or any cooking in your fridge you need to throw out. Don't panic, this can be fixed. More later.
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Post by Cwi555 on Jun 23, 2012 9:51:18 GMT -7
I usually avoid the words activated charcoal. While they are technically correct, I've had people run out and use their charcoal grill briquets which 'is not' activated carbon. The activation is typically through pyrolysis (thats right, the same method you use for making charcloth) at specific temperatures. One of the best materials for AC that is intended for water filtration is coconut shells. For that, we purchased this: www.water.siemens.com/en/products/activated_carbon/granular_activated_carbon_gac/Pages/aquacarb-1230cx-enhanced-coconut.aspx Depending on the mesh size, (size of the particle), it is used for basic air filtering, water filtering and other applications. It is important to pay attention to the size of the 'mesh'. Powder activated carbon, .177 mm or less. Granular activated carbon, Size for this one varies relatively dramatically depending on application. It is used for air/vapor and liquid. At .277mm it is used for water. Extruded activated carbon, usually a circle shaped block from .8mm to 130 mm diameter (.032" - 5.11" diameter) typically used for air/vapor applications. Bead activated carbon, In the same size range as granular, but specifically made from petroleum pitch. Used for bed applications of water filters Impregnated carbon (usually with silver cations [one less electron than it should have, giving it a net positive charge, which btw is why the higher end filters contain silver to begin with]) .
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Post by Cwi555 on Jun 23, 2012 10:20:56 GMT -7
I would consider having activated carbon sealed and on hand anyway. Dollar for dollar, it is the most effective filtration system dollar for dollar. It won't catch everything, but it will catch a lot. Where would one find this carbon and hwo much would you recommend to keep on hand? What kind of water filter system or softener system would you recommend for those of us with deep wells on large aquafiers? As for which ones I'd recommend, we built our own multi stage units. None of the off the shelf units worked like we wanted, specifically we had a problem with the cation models, if the ground water was ever contaminated with radionuclides, none of the available models offered enough protection for our satisfaction. We have a three stage unit. Anion to cation, then to cation again specifically. Depending on the contaminate, it may need a negative charge, or a positive charge (cation) to bind the specific radionuclide. Our proximity to ORNL prompted that one. We are not worried about the nearby nuclear plant, but the national lab is listed as a super fund site. Our solution will not be ideal for you for that reason. SolarGeeks background will probably have given her a better solution for your purposes than our specific situation dictates.
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Post by hunter63 on Jun 23, 2012 13:42:01 GMT -7
Was the letter from the EPA.?...or some one wanting to sell water tests.
We had a rash of this going on out in the area of "The Place" our cabin, after 2-100 years floods in 10 months.
Neighbor up the road who's water is from two natural springs, received one of these notices, and provided a "free water test", then show up to tell them that they were contaminated, needed to drill a new deep well to the tune of 10k bucks.
Turned out the test they were using did show a very small amount of certain contaminates , but was designed for infants and those with medical conditions.
They called the state for a second opinion......to find out that the state test was just fine for normal use........The whole thing was a sales pitch....and people bit on it.
So how did the state test pan out?
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Post by woodyz on Jun 23, 2012 14:19:16 GMT -7
The EPA would know better than to place mail of any kind into a Post Box. I would suspect a form letter from the EPA being put in by either the contractor testing or supplying the bottled water placed the flier.
The two substances quoted were insecticides probably sprayed from crop dusting planes from the field. If they dumped their excess before or after they were illegal effects who might be paying the bills.
I would talk to one of the families closer to the strip and determine if there was a lawsuit or legal action. Getting you checked off of the list could be a method to avoid installing city or purified water as opposed to bottled water.
Also, if there has been legal action you may discover other solvents had been dumped or more costly measures need to be taken.
I am not trying to be a naysayer or raise your level of alarm. I just have some experience with contaminated soil and water systems and the levels both the goberment and its contractors will go to make money but not make you safer.
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Post by dtucker on Jun 23, 2012 18:00:38 GMT -7
At the top of the letter it says: United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 61 Forsyth St. Atlanta, GA. 30303 his title is Federal On-Scene Coordinator I am normally a suspicious type anyway, and I thought it might be a scam so I looked at the EPA site and his name is Brian Englert as listed under the removal operations section and that is the same phone number listed on the letter that I called. www.epa.gov/region4/superfund/information/erstaff.htmlI have also called my local health department and will get them to test it also. The guy I needed to talk to was out of town and I will know more Monday when he gets back. I'm not sure they can test for pesticides and insecticides, the lady that answered the phone didn't know a whole lot.
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Post by Lawdog2705 on Jun 23, 2012 19:02:19 GMT -7
If I am not mistaken, it is illegal to simply put something in a mailbox like that. Thank you for pointing that out cwi. This would have me skeptical. A government agency placing notices in mailboxes rather than on their doors (if they are not home)? I would call the DC office and verify. This could be a scam. They test the water, tell you you have the toxins and it will cost x amount of $ to clean up. Maybe I'm paranoid...or is it that "spidey" sense?!
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Post by dtucker on Jun 23, 2012 20:46:08 GMT -7
I agree this could be a scam and I am still going to check it out some more and talk to neighbors. I do need to point out that where I live is an old forestry station with the fire tower and all, it doesn't look like a regular home. I am going to talk to the health dept again Monday and see what they have to say. I really do appreciate everyone's input and advice. Thanks for pointing out some things I had no knowledge of. I am driving my husband crazy with this, but I know alot more than I did yesterday about what to do and the different types of filters, so that makes me feel a little better therefore I don't drive him completely crazy
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Post by solargeek1 on Jun 23, 2012 20:50:52 GMT -7
Did your letter say if a Superfund site was involved? I worked on over 60 of them but not any near Region 4. However, very odd to have the EPA Reg. 4 guy for Superfund involved if the site causing the contamination was not either proposed for the NPL (national priorities list for really bad sites that need attention) or on it. Could you please type in the "re" lines and a few more points of info? And I know this is trivial, but I was under the impression that in times of Health and Safety, EPA can put letters in mailboxes. Not worth researching, but I recall them doing this on several Superfund sites to MAKE certain people got the word on whatever danger was involved. Does it name the site/
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Post by solargeek1 on Jun 23, 2012 20:53:35 GMT -7
Removal actions are generally done as very fast (EPA "fast" can be 6 weeks or 5 years- depends on the magnitude of the site) and either contain the danger till further study can be done or they can completely remediate the problem. Remedial actions are longer term responses to contamination. I can point you to tons of info but if you give me the site name or the details from the letter, I can try to help.
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Post by dtucker on Jun 23, 2012 21:06:04 GMT -7
Did your letter say if a Superfund site was involved? I worked on over 60 of them but not any near Region 4. However, very odd to have the EPA Reg. 4 guy for Superfund involved if the site causing the contamination was not either proposed for the NPL (national priorities list for really bad sites that need attention) or on it. Could you please type in the "re" lines and a few more points of info? And I know this is trivial, but I was under the impression that in times of Health and Safety, EPA can put letters in mailboxes. Not worth researching, but I recall them doing this on several Superfund sites to MAKE certain people got the word on whatever danger was involved. Does it name the site/ His card has Brian Englert, Ph.D. On- Scene Coordinator Superfund Division, ERRB There was also another card with it but I didn't call this person it has Angela Miller Community Involvement Coordinator Office of Superfund Public Affairs & Outreach I'm not sure if this is what you are asking for but maybe this will help? If you would like I can scan the forms and cards and email them to you
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Post by solargeek1 on Jun 23, 2012 21:08:19 GMT -7
Yes, I will pm you my email.
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Post by Cwi555 on Jun 23, 2012 22:26:43 GMT -7
If it is related to a super fund site, you've got more than a little bit of old fertilizer to deal with.
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