Some Public Water Sources Contaminated Says Govt Study

Quality of Water from Public-Supply Wells in the United States

by Patricia L. Toccalino and Jessica A. Hopple | USGS

More than 20 percent of untreated water samples from 932 public wells across the nation contained at least one contaminant at levels of potential health concern. About 105 million people - or more than one-third of the nation's population - receive their drinking water from one of the 140,000 public water systems across the U.S. that rely on groundwater pumped from public wells.

About 105 million people—more than one-third of the Nation’s population—receive their drinking water from one of the 140,000 public water systems across the United States that use groundwater as their source.

Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) assessed water-quality conditions in source (untreated) groundwater from 932 public wells, and in source and finished (treated) water from a subset of 94 wells. A greater number of chemical contaminants (as many as 337), both naturally occurring and man-made, were assessed in this study than in any previous national study of public wells.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate (1) the occurrence of contaminants in source water from public wells and their potential significance to human health, (2) whether contaminants that occur in source water also occur in finished water after treatment, and (3) the occurrence and characteristics of contaminant mixtures.

Read the USGS Study

RainSoft Hydrefiner Water Filtration Systems

RainSoft's compact, economical, carbon block drinking water system tucks neatly under your sink and dispenses a constant supply of purely delicious water through your dedicated RainSoft faucet. Additional photo of the faucet will be provided.

Function

Hydrefiner drinking water filtration systems provide a dependable source of high quality water for drinking, cooking, making coffee and tea's - just about anything you make with water!

Performance

These RainSoft home water filtration systems utilize a highly compressed carbon block filter made of selected activated carbons to reduce chlorine tastes and odors, as well as other select contaminants. +

Convenience

Installs out-of-sight under the kitchen sink.

Economy

Produces up to 830* gallons of filtered water before cartridge replacement is needed.

Reliability

Unit is built to industry standards and carries a limited lifetime warranty. +Ask your local RainSoft dealer for a Performance Data Sheet for additional information regarding specific contaminant reduction claims. *830 gallons with RainSoft Filtergard II faucet. 500 gallons without faucet.

RainSoft of Sinking Springs, an authorized RainSoft Dealer.

Or locate a RainSoft Dealer near you.

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You Could be Drinking Prescription Drugs. What's in Your Drinking Water?

Prescription Drugs in Drinking Water
Reporter: Shannon Kantner | WILX.COM

Germs on a water fountain are no surprise, but what about drugs in the water?

"Most meds when they are taken are not completely absorbed by the body, they pass through unchanged," said Ron Melaragni, Adminstrative Director for Sparrow Pharmacy Plus. "They get into the water supply and cause pollution, even if it's minor."

In addition, there's the commonly held belief that people are supposed to flush leftover prescriptions down the toilet. Over the years that practice has taken its toll on wildlife, including fish with three eyes and two sets of reproductive organs, according to some studies.

"There is a lot of evidence that speaks to the residuals being in the receiving waters of the United States and the local community here," said Chad Gamble, Director of Public Service for the City of Lansing. "Now they're at very, very low levels, but we want to be on the front end of that. We want to be able to protect the environment."

Gamble said most waste water treatment facilities, including Lansing's, can't remove every leftover drug particle. That makes initiatives like the third annual Medication Disposal Event at the Capitol on Tuesday especially important.

"It's a source control issue, which is inviting people to take a little bit more time out of their day to dispose of their drugs when they're done using them in a safe and efficient manner," Gamble said.
This year more than 579 pounds of unwanted or expired medication was collected, which amounts to about $1 million worth.

At this point, experts say the flushing method hasn't made drinking water dangerous for humans yet. "But if this process continues, who knows what could happen," Melaragni said. "So, it's important to do it the right way, so it doesn't get in the water supply."

If you missed the Capitol's disposal event, there is a national one happening Sept. 29. There's also a new kit on the market that will soon be on pharmacy shelves for use in the home. It's just a little black plastic bag filled with a substance when mixed with warm water, neutralizes prescriptions - up to 45 pills or 6 ounces of liquid medicine can fit in it. Once it's mixed, you seal it, and throw it in the trash.

Pharmacisits also recommend using kitty litter or coffee grounds in a container with the prescriptions and dispose of them that way.

The Ingham County Sheriff's Office recently added a bin in their lobby where anyone can drop off old pills free of charge during normal business hours.

Questions About What's in Your Water - RainSoft Has Answers

RainSoft Water Facts

Maximum Contaminant Level Goals vs. Maximum Contaminant Levels

The environment has changed a lot in the last fifty years. Manufacturing and agricultural activities, along with our growing population, add an enormous amount of potentially hazardous materials to our environment. 

As a result, the U.S. Environmental Agency (EPA) and others have detected more than 700 different organic compounds in treated drinking-water supplies. 

To read more about water facts and contaminants go to RainSoft Water Facts.

To Request a Free In-Home Water Test visit RainSoft of Sinking Springs Water Test.

Rainsoft of Sinking Springs

3981A Penn Ave
Sinking Spring, PA 19608

Phone: (610) 670-7275

www.rainsoftofsinkingsprings.com

Or locate a RainSoft Dealer near you.
To read what people are saying about RainSoft, check out RainSoft Reviews.

Liven Up Your Drinking Water with Orange and Cucumber

Cucumber-Orange Water Recipe

By Adela Jung

Not all of us like soda and flavored drinks, but plain old water can get boring after a while. Here, the clean flavors of cucumber and orange steep in water for a refreshing twist.


This recipe was featured as part chow.com Post-Holiday Recovery Menu

INGREDIENTS

• 6 cups cold water
• 6 thin slices English cucumber
• 5 thin slices orange

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Serve.
www.chow.com

Cities Question Water Fluoridation

Phoenix set to reassess fluoridation

by Lynh Bui - Jun. 10, 2012 10:55 PM
The Republic | azcentral.com

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention proclaimed it one of the 10 greatest public-health achievements of the 20th century.

Every U.S. surgeon general since the 1950s has endorsed the practice. And the American Dental Association calls it the "single most effective public-health measure to prevent tooth decay."

But despite overwhelming support from the government and medical professionals, the debate over fluoridating public water systems, which largely subsided after the Cold War, has resurfaced.

Phoenix has become the latest Valley city to reassess the controversial cavity-fighting policy as several City Council members are proposing to save money or limit government's reach by discontinuing water fluoridation in the nation's sixth-largest city.

The City Council Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee is scheduled to decide Tuesday whether the entire council should vote to suspend the city's use of fluoride in city water. A change would affect the more than 1.4 million Phoenix residents who use the city's fluoridated tap water for drinking, bathing and brushing their teeth.

Anti-fluoride activists have continued to rally against municipal fluoridation of water for decades, worried that overdoses could lead to weight gain and muscle pains from thyroid problems, discoloration of teeth and other yet-to-be-discovered side effects. They also worry that ingesting too much fluoride could damage bones the same way it has been found to eat away at tooth enamel.

Read more: 

Water and Its Significant Role in Your Workout Regime

Stay Safe When Working Out in Summer Heat

Juan Villa | Visalia Time-Delta

Workouts don't need to be put aside simply because the hot weather has arrived. By making a few simple changes, those heading outdoors for their regular workouts can stay safe while doing so.

Three Central Valley natives share some tips for staying safe while working out in the hot weather.

Stay hydrated

When it comes to taking care of the body while exercising in hot weather, local experts agree that staying hydrated is foremost.

And staying hydrated doesn't mean just drinking water or Gatorade during the actual workout. Staying hydrated before working out is just as important.

"If say they only drink in the morning, then by the time their competition or workout comes around they will have lost that hydration significantly," said Janelle Myers, Redwood High School athletic trainer. "Not all of it but a lot of it will have been lost. The most important thing is to stay hydrated before and during practice."

Read more...

Thirsty? Here are 8 Ways to get MORE water!!

By now you probably know that drinking your daily dose of H2O keeps your body running properly, your skin clear and may even help you lose weight.

But there still isn't a set-in-stone answer when it comes to the question of just how much water we need to drink each day. Some people will tell you to drink eight glasses, while others call that "nonsense." Others will tell you to divide your body weight in half and drink that number, in ounces, of water every day. And depending on the weather or your level of physical activity or whether or not you're pregnant, you might need even more than usual.

In 2004, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) established that healthy adult women need around 91 ounces of total water and healthy adult men need about 125 ounces every day. But "total" water counts the water in other beverages, as well as the liquid in hydrating, high-water-volume foods.  Read more...

Daily Hydration Essentials: Water, The First Nutrient

" Water is essential for proper muscle function and aids in important bodily processes such as digestion."

Click here to read more.

Is your showerhead making you sick?

Ahhh that hot shower feels good, doesn't it? But could it be making you sick?.... According to this article, it's possible.

Luckily, there's a solution.

Click here to read more.