Imagine someone hands you a drink. You take a sip. Ahhh, cool, clear water.
How did you know it was water?
You trusted your senses. Water should be clear. It shouldn't have any noticeable color, smell or taste. Our senses are our first line of defense when it comes to analyzing water.
Sometimes excess minerals work their way into our water supply. You might notice reddish-brown stains in your sink. Maybe your water smells funny, like rotten eggs. Possibly your morning coffee has a metallic taste. But are these changes harmful?
Reddish-brown stains in your sink, tub, or toilet usually indicate a high concentration of iron. Extra iron in our water is a nuisance, but not a real threat.
Water percolates through soil and rock, dissolves the iron and carries it into the aquifer. When air hits this colorless mineral, it oxidizes and turns the familiar reddish-brown color.
Manganese is the culprit of those black, hard to remove stains. Using bleach or baking soda will only make the stains worse. Manganese reacts with coffee, tea and alcohol producing a metallic taste. Like iron, manganese is not harmful in the levels found in water.
Both iron and manganese have bacteria that specifically feed on these minerals. This bacteria produces the slime that clogs toilet tanks and pipes.
Sulfur is another element that is more of a nuisance than a health risk. Sulfur can cause yellow or black stains, and tarnish silverware. Sulfur also has associated bacteria to cause slime. Hydrogen Sulfide causes that rotten egg smell and taste. Sulfur is commonly found in wells drilled in shale or near coal fields.
Nuisance elements like iron, manganese and sulfur can be removed through various filtration systems.
The big problem with sulfur is that it makes the water more corrosive. This could wear away your pipes and fixtures, leaching harmful minerals such as copper or lead into your water.
Copper leaves blue-green stains and a metallic taste. High levels can cause flu-like symptoms and stomach or intestinal distress. Replacing faulty pipes or treating at the faucet is recommended for copper problems.
No level of lead is acceptable by EPA standards.
Lead accumulates in the body and can cause brain damage or even death. Lead gets in our water through pipe solder, older submersible pumps, well screens, and lead well collars. It has no noticeable color, smell or taste. If you suspect lead contamination, contact a licensed water well contractor.
The only way to know if your water is safe is to have it tested. This action uses your most important sense. Common sense.
Originally published April 5, 2003, Times News, Lehighton, PA
"As the poet said, 'Only God can make a tree,' probably because it's so hard to get the bark on." -¬ Woody Allen.
It is true that we can't make trees, or plants for that matter. But we can make the environment they live in cleaner and safer; and the plants are willing to help.
Phytoremediation is the term used to describe clean up of contaminated areas with assistance from plants. Soil, air and water can benefit from this technology, but for our purposes we are going to focus on groundwater.
Imagine all the possible ways groundwater pollution can occur in our area such as leaky underground storage tanks, mine run-off, industrial by-products, landfills, or spills. Each incident can release a different contaminant.
It's an alphabetical smorgasbord: TCE, MTBE, PAH,and TNT to name a few.
Phytoremediation can treat these chemicals and more.
Dr. Lawrence C. Davis of Kansas State University, found that some plants could absorb chemicals with little ill effects. "Plants will grow with 3 percent weathered crude oil, 100 parts per million of MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether, a gas additive) or TCE (trichloroethylene, a degreaser) in their water."
There are three possible scenarios for using plants to remediate contaminated groundwater. We can contain it, make it less harmful or remove it.
Treating groundwater in place or "in-situ" through phytoremediation can cost up to 50 percent less than pumping out the water and transporting it to a facility for treatment. This process is also less devastating to the environment.
According to Dr. Paul Schwab, Professor of Agronomy at Purdue University, some species of trees are excellent for phytoremediation.
"Planting trees directly in the groundwater can be quite effective at stopping or even reversing the flow of groundwater offsite," Dr. Schwab continued, "Phytoremedia-tion of contaminated groundwater is possible if the roots of the plants can extend into the water. Trees with high water demand (poplar, willow) have found great potential in this application."
One example of using trees was conducted by the United States Air Force.
Cottonwood trees were used to remove TCE from contaminated groundwater at a rate of up to 200 gallons of water per day. Trees and soil microbes broke down the TCE into less harmful elements of carbon dioxide, water and chlorine.
The trees also lowered the groundwater level and increased the distance between the contaminated soil and the aquifer. This stopped further pollution from entering the water supply.
Dr. Davis summed it up best, "When I was asked to help find plants that might speed up cleaning up some gasoline spills and such, I was willing to give it a try. I knew that plants have a lot of unusual abilities and are part of stable long-term ecosystems where they have experienced many strange chemicals already. So I expected that they could deal with the kinds of things that we are likely to make and spill."
So hug a tree today. It may have saved your groundwater.
Originally published June 21, 2003, Times News, Lehighton, PA
Where There's Smoke, There's Firefighters
It's 3 am. The smoke alarm goes off and what do you do? Naturally, you call the fire department. But do you know what hidden dangers lurk in and around your home?
Firefighters need to know what they are facing to protect both you and themselves from possible danger. A firefighter's priority when facing a hazardous situation is to isolate, evacuate and decontaminate an area.
Keith Lotier, the Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC) for Towamensing Township, reminds us, "I think the important thing is that people recognize the hazards that they have. I would sure like them to tell me if they have something in their shed that could cause a problem."
Hazardous materials (HAZMAT) when ignited, can cause serious injury through inhalation. Other concerns are direct contact and skin absorption. Eric George, Fire Police Captain for Towamensing Township states, "Normal firefighter's gear only gives about 15 minutes of protection."
Their protective clothing, called "turn out gear" consists of a hat, coat, boots and self-contained breathing apparatus.
Other First Response Personnel such as police and ambulance workers also need protection. "Emergency Management is working towards that in Carbon County," states Lotier.
Decontamination showers are on hand at the county level and protective suits are already in place in some municipalities, but local officials must request them. "The Office of Homeland Security is providing much of this funding."
What is a hazardous substance? According to George, "Any substance or combination of substances that is potentially damaging to the health, well-being (of an individual) or the environment."
Where in the home are these hazardous substances? Most people think of sheds and garages, but according to George, there is a more common location. "The number one place in the home you find hazardous waste is under the kitchen sink."
These can include antifreeze, car care products, paint, fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, batteries, medicines, mothballs, nail polish and remover, pet products, rodent poisons, photographic and pool chemicals, car batteries, scouring powders, ammonia and bleach-based cleaners, oven cleaners, drain openers and toilet bowl cleaners, solvents for cleaning firearms and engines, glues, degreasers, gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, motor oil, transmission fluid, paint strippers, varnish, turpentine, air fresheners, hair spray, and coin, floor, furniture and shoe polish.
If a HAZMAT status is determined, the local coordinator must notify the county Emergency Management Office and they will call out the HAZMAT team. Presently a HAZMAT team must come from Old Forge to treat a possibly dangerous situation.
Remember when buying household products to read the directions and warnings.
Also, buy only what you need to cut down on storing chemicals. Always use original containers and check them regularly for wear and tear. Put the original container into a larger, clearly marker vessel if leakage occurs.
Avoid mixing chemical products and cleaners. Store materials in a cool, dry place and separate incompatible products.Combinations like diesel fuel and ammonia can explode when ignited.
The Groundwater Guardians support safe use, storage and disposal of hazardous waste. Recycle what you can and consider donating unused supplies to charitable organizations.
Originally published May 31, 2003, Times News, Lehighton, PA.
Copyright © 2006, Cindy Kerschner, All Rights Reserved.
