watermatters

September 2007

• Rain, Turbidity and Boil Water Advisories

  Friday, September 28th, 2007

  If you are a resident of Greater Vancouver you may have recently noticed a more pronounced smell of chlorine in your drinking water and while showering. ‘Eau-de-chlorine’ is not a tantalizing scent to most of us. Why is there suddenly more of it in our tap water?

  More rain means more chlorine.

  The rainy season has arrived again here in the Vancouver area. Rain washes sediment into our watersheds creating a condition called turbidity. Turbidity is the presence of fine particulate and suspended matter (usually just silt) that makes water cloudy. This phenomenon, harmless in itself, can mask the presence of harmful micro-organisms like bacteria and cysts. When turbidity increases, our water district adds more chlorine to the municipal water treatment system to make sure it is properly disinfected.

  Turbidity and boil water advisories again this year?

  Most of us became very familiar with that ‘dirty’ word, turbidity, last November (2006) when we experienced an unprecedented drinking water crisis. Are we going to encounter more turbidity events and boil water advisories again this year?

  Because of our rainy climate and water sourced from open wilderness reservoirs, Greater Vancouver has always experienced increases in turbidity in the fall and winter months. This is the reason for the construction of our new Seymour-Capilano Water Filtration Plant. Until this project is completed (now anticipated in 2010), we can expect turbidity issues to re-occur. The severity of these occurrences cannot be predicted.

  Posted in Vancouver Water

• Drinking Water Filters – How do you choose?

  Friday, September 28th, 2007

  A guide for residents of Greater Vancouver

  You know bottled water isn’t the answer. So you’re either filtering your tap water, or you’re thinking about it. But how do you choose from the confusing deluge of water filters and treatment methods that are flooding the market these days?

  Knowing what is and isn’t in your water is imperative

  Have you ever wondered what exactly is in your tap water that needs to be filtered out?
  Water filters are not like other appliances. A blender is a blender. But a water treatment system needs to be tailored to the water coming out of your tap. Why? Because every city, every water district has different water conditions.

  Chlorine, chloramines, fluoride, arsenic, radon, lead, trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, herbicides, pesticides, gasoline additives, parasite cysts, pharmaceuticals, nitrates are just a few of the many hundreds of contaminants found in North American water distribution systems.

  Which of these are in your water?

  And what are the consequences of drinking them day after day and year after year?

  Consider yourself fortunate if you live in Greater Vancouver, as your water contains only a few of these noxious contaminants – but which ones?

  An accurate answer to this question gives you the key to making a safe and informed choice for a drinking water system that can treat your water effectively.

  Where does your water come from?

  Drinking water for Greater Vancouver* comes from wilderness watersheds in the North Shore mountains and is captured in the Capilano, Seymour and Coquitlam reservoirs.

  Except for wildlife, access to these watersheds is highly restricted protecting our source water from contamination by human activity.

  Birds and animals that live in the watershed areas can transfer parasite cysts called Cryptosporidium and Giardia into the source
  water. Though not usually fatal, these cysts can cause illness.

  Although chlorine is introduced to the water as a disinfectant at the water treatment plant, it is not very effective at killing Cryptosporidium cysts.

  The consequences of using chlorine

  Chlorine (and ozone at Coquitlam) is the disinfectant used in our water. It ensures that drinking water is microbiologically ‘safe’. That means no harmful bacteria and no viruses.

  However, the use of chlorine (itself a poison), especially with surface water rich in organic matter like ours, results in the formation of highly toxic chlorine by-products that are clearly linked to cancer, miscarriage and negative effects for pregnancy. Recent studies indicate that damage occurs at lower levels of exposure than considered ‘safe’ by current drinking water standards. Learn more.

  Health hazards in Vancouver’s water

  Tap water in the Greater Vancouver area may contain the following potential health hazards:

  • Chlorine
    a biological poison
  • Trihalomethanes (THMs) and Haloacetic Acids (HAAs)
    chlorination by-products known to cause cancer and birth defects.
  • Cryptosporidium and Giardia
    parasite cysts cause intestinal and immune system disorders.
  • Lead
    (especially in homes built prior to 1989)
    not found in the water supply itself but introduced into water from pipe fittings and plumbing fixtures containing lead.

  Bottled water isn’t the answer

  Despite its tremendous popularity in recent years, bottled water is often just municipal tap water. Under regulated and exorbitantly over priced, it is toxic to the environment and often to human health. Learn more.

  The basic requirement for safe water

  You now know the basic requirement for choosing effective water treatment if you live in Greater Vancouver: select a system that is capable of protecting you from chlorine, cryptosporidium, giardia, THMs, and lead.

  It should have the capacity to do so for a reasonable length of time, calculated by the number of gallons of water that can pass
  through it before loosing effectiveness for filtering each particular contaminant.

  When you think about it, these points are so obvious, but rarely addressed in the world of buying and selling water filters.

  Most water treatment systems don’t match local conditions

  There is a confusing array of water filters and water treatment systems competing for your attention. These products are made and shipped here from all over the world.

  Do the manufacturers and vendors of those systems know about the unique characteristics of your local water supply? Unlikely.

  Guidelines for choosing your water treatment system

  Every type of water filter or purifier has strengths and weaknesses. Here are some important tips on choosing a water treatment
  system that will ensure your protection.

  Tip #1

  Choose a water treatment system capable of reducing hazards specific to Greater Vancouver’s water. Be certain the system can protect you from all know contaminants in your local water.

  Tip#2

  Find out the capacity of the system for each contaminant. How many gallons/litres can the filter handle before its capacity for that contaminant is exhausted? For example, capacity for Trihalomethanes (THMs) is usually exhausted long before the capacity for chlorine.

  Tip #3

  A multistage system with several different filters with the right characteristics can cover all the bases. This is because high quality filter cartridges are specialized. Each cartridge will perform a special function.

  Tip #4

  Avoid systems that are designed for contaminants not found in Vancouver’s water. For example, protection from fluoride is not necessary in Vancouver.

  Tip #5

  Make sure your water treatment system can filter particles one micron in size or smaller. The system should be able to do much more than just make your water taste better. It should do the filtering, not your kidneys.

  Tip #6

  Reverse Osmosis systems are not recommended for Greater Vancouver’s water conditions.

  Tip #7

  Be diligent about maintaining your system and replacing cartridges at recommended intervals. Fouled cartridges can introduce contaminants back into your water.

  The moral of the story…

  Don’t waste your money and your health on water treatment that doesn’t address Vancouver’s unique water conditions.

  Make your water treatment system is an exact match to the contaminants coming out of your tap – no more, no less.

  _____________________

  *The Greater Vancouver Water District services Anmore, Bowen Island, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Delta, Langley (City), Langley (Township), Maple Ridge, New Westminster, North Vancouver (City), North Vancouver (District), Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver, West Vancouver.

  Posted in Vancouver Water, Water Treatment Guide

• BC’s Stolen Rivers

  Thursday, September 27th, 2007

  British Columbia’s rivers are among our greatest public assets, immeasurable in aesthetic and environmental value and worth billions in terms of potential power generation. Yet the BC government is transferring ownership rights for more than 500 spectacular wilderness sites to private power projects for less than $5000 -$10,000!

  These independent ‘Run-of-River’ projects sound green, minimally consequential and environmentally sound. In fact, their combined impact will be massive.

  More insidious, these private power projects are being built on BC rivers to generate energy British Columbia does not need. Many have been bought by large corporations who will be able to sell them to foreign interests. These private producers will sell electricity back to BC Hydro (now banned by the BC government from generating any new power) at much higher prices than we currently pay!

  The BC government has manufactured an energy crisis to justify this privatization of prized river resources, the environmental destruction of spectacularly beautiful wilderness sites, and an impending radical increase in the cost of electricity for BC businesses and households.

  The government is also deliberately overriding communities around the province to prevent them from having a voice in these developments.

  Community groups are organizing to demand a stop these developments and transgressions. They are insisting that the ban on BC Hydro generating power be lifted and are calling for environmental and community reviews of the BC Energy Plan and the proposed projects.

  Contact the following to learn more and to take action.

  Save Our Rivers Society

  hydrofactsbc.ca

  Rivers for Generations

  BC Citizens for Public Power
  
  Private Power Developers and the BC Government’s Water License Giveaway

  Flogging Our Water

  Posted in The Future of Water

• BC Rivers Day

  Thursday, September 27th, 2007

  September 30 is BC Rivers Day celebrated by river festivals, cleanups, school projects and river paddling in communities throughout the province. The purpose of this special day is to raise public appreciation of the irreplaceable importance of our rivers and the many benefits we derive from them, including increasingly scarce clean water and the precious spawning ground for salmon. BC Rivers Day also brings public awareness to the increasing threats to our spectacular waterways, the lifeblood of our land.

  Created in 1980, the event is celebrated annually on the last Sunday in September. Its success in BC has recently led to the creation of National Rivers Day and World Rivers Day fostered by the UN Water for Life Decade (2005-2015).

  For a complete list of Rivers Day activities across BC contact
  Outdoor Recreation Council of BC

  334-1367 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6H 4A9
  Phone: (604) 737-3058
  orc@intergate.ca

  Posted in News & Initiatives

• Bisphenol A: Plastic Toxin in Bottled Water

  Tuesday, September 18th, 2007

  Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic chemical compound used in a wide range of consumer products including plastic water bottles, baby bottles and to line food cans. BPA can be ingested after leaching from a plastic bottle or food container into its contents.

  Low doses disrupt hormonal system

  Bisphenol A is a hormone disruptor that alters the normal functioning of the endocrine system in both humans and wildlife. Studies have linked very low levels of exposure to BPA to a wide range of adverse effects including reproductive, developmental and behavioural problems. These include hyperactivity and permanent changes to the genital tract, increased prostate weight, decline in testosterone, and breast and prostrate cells predisposed to cancer.

  Polycarbonate plastic and baby bottles

  BPA is primarily used to make polycarbonate plastic water bottles and other food and beverage containers. Many baby bottles are polycarbonate but not labeled as such. They can only be identified by calling the manufacturer. All bottles containing BPA should be (but may not be) labelled #7 plastic. However, not all #7 plastic containers are made with BPA.

  Pregnant women and children most at risk

  Fetuses, infants and children around puberty are most at risk because their endocrine systems are undergoing development and especially sensitive to hormone disruptors. Other species are affected by exposure to chemical toxins produced by humans. Genetic mutations are occurring in many other species at an alarming rate.

  Canadian Health Measures Survey

  The Canadian government has recently launched a study of BPA (and approximately 200 other chemicals) due to mounting concern about risks to human health and the environment. Currently there is no legislation in Canada regarding Bisphenol A leaching from water bottles and food containers.

  Stainless steel water bottles are a non-toxic alternative to plastic bottles.

  Studies show that virtually everyone is exposed to BPA.
  Environmental Defence is inviting support to urge the Canadian government to ban Bisphenol A.

  Posted in Water and Health

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