-a series of SIX VIDEOS about safe and effective water systems.
Tape #5
Man-made Chemicals
MRC Catalog #75706
This VIEWER REFERENCE GUIDEis yours to keep!
DO NOT RETURN ITwhen you return the tape.
Is water supply contamination caused by manmade chemicals a common problem in lowa?
Public water supplies
Of nearly 850 tested in 1987 for 70 different chemicals, nine
supplies contained organic chemical concentrations exceeding safe drinking water guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Private water supplies
Of nearly 700 tested in 1989, about 14% contained detectable
levels of pesticides, but only l% exceeded safe drinking water guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
How can I find out if man-made chemicals are in my water supply?
Most public water supplies in lowa were tested in 1987,and will continue to be tested.
Check with your water utility manager, or the lowa Department of Natural Resources to get the test results.
If you rely on a private well, YOU may want to do some testing on your own-particularly if a chemical has been
spilled near your well.
If I decide to test my drinking water for man-made chemicals, what should I ask the lab to test for?
There is no single test for man-made chemicals, so you must specify which
chemicals you want the lab to look for.
Tests for man-made chemicals are expensive, so you'll probably want to limit your testing to just a few chemicals that are most likely to be present, such as:
-- a chemical spilled near your well;
-- chemicals commonly used or stored near your well;
-- chemicals that have previously shown up in groundwater in your area (ask your lab about this).
NOTE-If you have no reason to suspect the presence of particular man-made chemicals, you may want to begin with tests
for coliform bacteria and nitrate. These tests are much less expensive than tests for man-made chemicals, and their results are good general indicators of the vulnerability of your water
supply to contamination. If coliform and nitrate levels are safe, your well is structurally sound, and no chemical spills have occurred near your well, the likelihood of finding
health-threatening levels of man-made chemicals in your water is low.
See Extension publication, Pm-1329, Coping with Contaminated Wells.
How can I find out if a lab has the special equipment and qualified staff to perform sophisticated chemical tests?
Contact the lowa Department of Natural Resources for a list of laboratories that are state-certified to perform organic chemical analysis of
publicwater systems.
If a man-made chemical is found in my drinking water, how can I find out if the concentration is
high enough to cause health problems?
For latest information on current drinking water guidelines for man-made chemicals, contact:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Safe Drinking Water Hotline in Washington, D.C. 1-800-426-4791.
What are my options for dealing with contamination caused by man-made chemicals?
Try to find and eliminate the source of the contamination,
NOTE-In all but the simplest cases, source identification and
elimination is often impossible or impractical. By the time the chemical shows up in a well a lot of soil may have been contaminated. The contaminated soil may continue to release pollution for many years.
Construct a new well.
Depth must be adequate and location must be away from sources
of contamination (chemical storage and use areas).
NOTE-Seek advice from your drilling contractor, your county environmental health officer, and from the Geological Survey
Bureau of the lowa Department of Natural Resources.
Treat your water to remove the contaminants.
What kinds of water treatment equipment have POTENTIAL to remove man-made chemicals?
Activated carbon filter
Works like a "chemical sponge." Certain kinds of chemicals- those
with a natural affinity for carbon-are absorbed by the carbon, removing them from the water.
Reverse osmosis filter
Water molecules, which are relatively small, pass through a
membrane. But some man-made chemicals-those consisting of relatively large molecules-cannot pass through, and so are removed from the water.
Distillation
First, water is boiled to produce steam. Then the steam is cooled
and condensed to form purified water. Chemicals with boiling points much higher than water have the best potential for removal via distillation.
Is there a single type of treatment that will remove ALL man-made chemicals?
NO! That's why it's desirable to identify specifically (if possible) which contaminants are present in your water. Then ask your
water treatment equipment dealer for equipment performance data on removal of those contaminants of concern to you.
Where can I obtain unbiased performance data on treatment devices that claim to remove manmade chemicals?
Iowa law requires
Water treatment devices claimed capable of removing health
related contaminants must be tested accordingto state approved procedures.
Seller must give a PERFORMANCE DATA SHEET (which shows these test results) to buyer prior to purchase.
National Sanitation Foundation (listed below), offers a voluntary product testing program for water treatment equipment.
REMEMBER!
It is easier to prevent water pollution caused by man-made chemicals before it happens than it is to clean it up afterwards.
-other sources of information-
Your local county or community environmental/health sanitarian
Iowa Department of Public Health, Lucas State Office Building, Des Moines, IA 50319-0075 (515-242-6340)
University of lowa Hygienic Laboratory. Oakdale Hall, lowa City, IA 52242 (319-335-4500)
Geological Survey Bureau, lowa Department of Natural Resources, 123 North Capitol. Iowa City, IA 52242 (319-335-1575)
National Sanitation Foundation, 3475 Plymouth Rd., P.O. O. Box 1466, Ann Arbor, Ml 48106 (313-769-8010)
Water Quality Association, 4151 Naperville Rd., Lisle, IL 60532 (708-505-0160)
This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Extension Service, under project number 89-EWQI-1-9108
Ames, lowa 50011
AE 3062 July 1991
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