PFAS
While PFAS are widely used in consumer products, there is a growing concern that they can be found in the water we drink. The White House Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released plans to reduce PFAS in water sources across the country. Eight agencies have already conducted research on PFAS and have produced a road map outlining specific regulations and deadlines to reduce PFAS in commerce. The plan also outlines research to learn about additional controls. This strategy was released just before the Senate Environment and Public Works committee’s hearing on the issue.
While previously thought to be rare, PFAS are now showing up in communities at alarming levels. For example, Fountain and Security had their groundwater contaminated by runoff from Peterson Air Force Base. Those communities have had to install new treatment systems and monitor the quality of their water. In addition to Fountain and Security, PFAS have been detected in the groundwater wells of Commerce City and the surrounding communities. Furthermore, these chemicals have been detected in areas near the Suncor Refinery in Adams County and the Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora.
Trihalomethanes
Recently, the Commerce City water department sent out a mailer warning residents about the contamination of their water. The contaminants are known as trihalomethanes and are associated with cancer. However, these contaminants are not organic and are not likely to cause gastric distress. In addition, boiling water does not affect their concentrations. In some cases, the city may want to consider a water-purification system to reduce the contaminants.
To create trihalomethanes, we must first determine which elements are present in the water. Chlorine and bromine are known carcinogens. Trihalomethanes are formed by these two elements when they react with each other. Chlorine, bromine, and astatine are elements from the 17th column of the periodic table. When combined, they produce trihalomethanes, which may be present in drinking water.
Haloacetic acid
The health effects of haloacetic acid exposure in commercial tap water have not been well studied, but it is possible to derive estimates from household drinking water samples. Several epidemiological studies have examined fetal and stillbirth risk in association with trihalomethanes (HAAs) in drinking water. However, studies examining the effects of other classes of disinfection by-products in drinking water are lacking.
Disinfection processes produce byproducts that are primarily detrimental to human health. Haloacetic acids can occur as a result of the interaction between chlorine and organic matter in the water. In commerce water, haloacetic acid levels tend to decrease over time. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates five HAAs – dibromoacetic acid, monochloracetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, and trichloroacetic acids.
Lead
A recent study revealed that 90% of Commerce City’s tap water was safe to drink. While the city’s water treatment facilities are EPA-certified, contaminant levels can vary by water system. Copper and lead levels can also be higher in homes with lead piping. The EPA records violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. If you’re concerned about lead levels in your drinking water, you can contact Rex Environmental. They have connections throughout the community and can interpret the results accurately.
The LIA’s 1934 annual meeting minutes show an extensive effort to improve the quality of tap water and plumbing systems. It published newsletters and lobbied federal agencies to change regulations. In addition to promoting lead pipes, the LIA has also published educational materials and updated plumbing codes in nine different cities. These publications praised the benefits of lead pipes and gave practical tips for the installation of them. They have changed the landscape of tap water quality in America.
Production levels of wells
The City of Commerce has six deep wells, all with varying production levels. The highest producing well is the one at 160 gallons per minute, while the lowest is a mere 75 gallons per minute. Combined, the wells produce 1,018,000 gallons of water per day. For further insight, it is useful to compare production levels from different wells. But to accurately compare the different water levels, you need to understand how each well differs from each other.
The GEPA Water Resources Management Program maintains monthly records for water levels in wells. Data prior to 1980 are limited to wells that supply the GWA public water supply, the Navy, and the Air Force. These data are recorded and compiled in USGS Annual Reports and Guam Water Data Management System (GWDMS) files. However, data for 1980 to FY 1996 are not available on the USGS web site. Alternatively, you can obtain copies of the annual reports. Production data for the years before 1993 is maintained on Excel spreadsheets. The GEPA can provide you with copies of these reports.
Source of water
Commerce, California, has two water sources: one well had treatment to reduce the chemical levels, but the other did not. This left Commerce with two bad choices: keep serving contaminated water or shut down the well and import it from another source. Because the city is well funded through casino and outlet mall taxes, officials decided to close the well. However, many people have opposed the decision. In the end, commerce officials have decided to close the well and import water from a different source.
The sources of commercial water include evaporation from lakes and streams, deliveries from water suppliers, food preparation and outdoor use, discharge into wastewater-collection systems, and return flow. You can find information about commercial water use by consulting state and regional government agencies, professional associations, and wastewater-treatment facilities. You can find out which type of water your business is using and the sources from which it comes. In many cases, it’s easier to see how much water your business uses.