Looking up San Bernardino County, I found that most of the water comes from ground water, surface water, ground water that is under influence of surface water, and surface water purchased (not sure what that means). One of the reports I looked at was for East Valley. It is not my hometown, but it is close by and within the San Bernardino County lines. Their water originates 11% from the Santa Ana River, 11% is imported from state water projects, and 78% of the water comes from the Bunker Hill Basin.
When looking at what is in the water, a lot of inorganic compounds like: aluminum (levels of 0.009), fluoride (levels of 1), nitrate (levels of 10), arsenic (levels of 0.004), and chromium (levels of -100). Since most of these chemicals are chemicals found from natural erosion or runoff from fertilizer. A few radioactive contaminates, uranium and gross alpha particle activity. While looking through the report I was not surprised by what was in the water in East Valley. Nothing was in violation and most of the chemical sources came from natural contamination or by-products of drinking water disinfection. A few of the associated health risks for the chemicals found in the water very and depending on if there are high levels. For example, if there was a high concentration of nitrate in our drinking water can result in restriction of oxygen transport in the bloodstream. According to the World Health Organization, having high amounts of fluoride in our drinking water can lead to skeletal fluorosis, which is when fluoride accumulates in the bone progressively over years leading to stiffness and pain in joints. Thankfully looking at East Valley water quality data, fluoride and nitrate levels are not in excess and are not in violation.
In my home here in San Francisco, the water comes from our city pipes where water is pumped from The Hetch Hetchy watershed near Yosemite National Park. It is the spring snowmelt that comes from Tuolumn River and is classified as surface water. This water is of good quality as I often times will drink from the tap. I do however have a PUR water filter pitcher that I fill to keep in my fridge. I wouldn't say that I am consciously trying to filter anything specific out of my water, I just enjoy having a cold glass every once and awhile, but out fridge doesn't have a water dispenser. When it comes to drinking bottled water, I do my best not to buy one or take one when offered. I always carry around my refillable water bottle. Watching this video I always knew that bottle water was very wasteful and decided to commit to carrying my reusable tin bottle with me at all times.
When looking at what is in the water, a lot of inorganic compounds like: aluminum (levels of 0.009), fluoride (levels of 1), nitrate (levels of 10), arsenic (levels of 0.004), and chromium (levels of -100). Since most of these chemicals are chemicals found from natural erosion or runoff from fertilizer. A few radioactive contaminates, uranium and gross alpha particle activity. While looking through the report I was not surprised by what was in the water in East Valley. Nothing was in violation and most of the chemical sources came from natural contamination or by-products of drinking water disinfection. A few of the associated health risks for the chemicals found in the water very and depending on if there are high levels. For example, if there was a high concentration of nitrate in our drinking water can result in restriction of oxygen transport in the bloodstream. According to the World Health Organization, having high amounts of fluoride in our drinking water can lead to skeletal fluorosis, which is when fluoride accumulates in the bone progressively over years leading to stiffness and pain in joints. Thankfully looking at East Valley water quality data, fluoride and nitrate levels are not in excess and are not in violation.
In my home here in San Francisco, the water comes from our city pipes where water is pumped from The Hetch Hetchy watershed near Yosemite National Park. It is the spring snowmelt that comes from Tuolumn River and is classified as surface water. This water is of good quality as I often times will drink from the tap. I do however have a PUR water filter pitcher that I fill to keep in my fridge. I wouldn't say that I am consciously trying to filter anything specific out of my water, I just enjoy having a cold glass every once and awhile, but out fridge doesn't have a water dispenser. When it comes to drinking bottled water, I do my best not to buy one or take one when offered. I always carry around my refillable water bottle. Watching this video I always knew that bottle water was very wasteful and decided to commit to carrying my reusable tin bottle with me at all times.
Nitrates and Nitrites are a known cause of cancer too. Though I think that the levels in the tap are not enough to effect anyone short term - term in the long run it can. The water here in Sacramento also has Arsenic in it! The same ingredient as in RAT POISON. I wonder how this gets in there? Also I found that trihalomethane a derivative from the chlorine and cleaning process can also be harmful.
ReplyDeleteThe fluoride aspect of water seems crazy to me as it is a matter of public health concern both in its importance in dental health but then it's detriment in physical health. It seems like a weird balance that public officials are playing which makes me nervous that something synthetic is ever being added to our water.
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