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Vancouver Water

• Chlorine-Free Gardening with a Garden Hose Filter

  Friday, April 12th, 2019

  If you are an organic gardener, chances are you would like an easy way to water your fruits and vegetables with chlorine-free water.
  watermatters’ Garden Hose Filter is a versatile and effective solution that can be adapted to your local water quality conditions and specific needs. It has ¾” fittings so that it connects to standard ¾” garden hoses. You’ll need two hoses – one that brings tap water from your hose bib to the Garden Hose Filter (IN side) and another that supplies the filtered water from the Garden Hose Filter (OUT side) to wherever you want to deliver the filtered water.

  The Garden Hose Filter is a two-stage filtration system. The first stage cartridge removes sediment and particulate. It contains an inexpensive sediment cartridge that protects the stage two filter which is the real work horse of this combo. The stage two filter can be selected by you to target whatever disinfectant or contaminants you want to remove from your local tap water before the water reaches your intended point of use.

  The heavy-duty housing comes mounted on a sturdy steel bracket so that you can install it on the side of your house or garden shed. The housing can withstand outdoor use however it must be brought inside over the winter in case temperatures drop below freezing. The spent filter cartridges should be discarded when you bring the garden filter housing indoors for storage over the winter. Start the new growing season with a new set of filter cartridges.

  watermatters™ garden filters employ carbon ‘filtration’ to intercept contaminants in tap water. Carbon is a superior contaminant reduction media to zinc/copper (KDF), especially for cold water use. Carbon is also capable of more comprehensive contaminant reduction due to its unparalleled properties of adsorption.

  The watermatters™ garden hose filter is a versatile system that can be adapted to a variety of uses and challenging water conditions by selecting the right cartridge combo that delivers the water quality you require.

  NOTE… Why drinking water out of a garden hose is not a good idea.
  Although garden hose filters can be very effective at removing unwanted chemicals from tap water, most garden hoses are made of vinyl which is NOT a material suitable for delivering potable water for human consumption. If you plan to drink water delivered by a hose, use a specialty hose which is deemed safe for potable use. Moreover, please be aware that outdoor hoses are typically subjected to temperature extremes and intermittent use; both of these conditions may encourage bacterial growth within the hose.

  To purchase a watermatters™ Garden Hose Filter, call us at 604-733-7888 or visit our store.

  Posted in Vancouver Water, Water and Health, Water Treatment Guide

• Microplastics from Laundry Water End Up in Waterways and the Ocean

  Thursday, December 20th, 2018

  “Every time clothing is washed, tiny strands of fabric break off and go down the drain. Research has shown that microplastics in the ocean are being mistaken for food by zooplankton and fish, raising concerns about impacts to their health,” says Peter Ross, vice-president of research at Ocean Wise who led a joint study conducted by Metro Vancouver and Ocean Wise.

  The 2018 study raises questions about waste water from household laundry as a significant source of microplastic particles in water ways and the ocean.

  The majority of microparticles that end up in a Metro Vancouver wastewater treatment plant are primarily from fibres such as polyester and rayon (modified cellulose) which indicates that they are coming from our laundry water.

  Although Metro Vancouver treatment plants (which serves 1.3 million people) filter and remove up to 99% of 1.8 trillion plastic particles that enter our wastewater treatment system each year, about 30 billion of those particles are still released into the ocean.

  Metro Vancouver residents and all Canadians are encouraged to help reduce microplastic pollution. Here are some suggestions:

  • Do laundry less frequently when possible
  • Use front-loading laundry machines (which cause clothes to shed four times fewer fibres than top-loading washing machines)
  • Use cold water
  • Use less soap
  • Install a lint trap or lint filter on your washing machine’s discharge hose

  ____

  *   Retention of Microplastics in a Major Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant in Vancouver, Canada, published in 2018 in Marine Pollution Bulletin, an international scientific journal.

  Posted in News & Initiatives, The Future of Water, Vancouver Water, Water and Health

• Fresh Filtered Water Refills & More at Main Street Car Free Day

  Monday, June 13th, 2016

  

  We look forward to seeing you at this Sunday’s (June 19th) Car Free Day on Main Street. watermatters will be offering delicious filtered water refills for all, so bring your reusable water bottle or collect a new favorite at our tent. We’ll be introducing exciting new products and talking about water quality and awareness in Metro Vancouver and beyond.

  Come by and help us celebrate one of our favorite local events! Find us on the east side of main between 16th and 17th Ave.

  Many thanks to Hillcrest Plumbing [3260 Main St] for providing us with water access once again.

  Posted in Vancouver Water

• Get the LEAD OUT of your DRINKING WATER

  Thursday, June 2nd, 2016

  Lead is a neurotoxin, a carcinogen and a heavy metal that bio-accumulates in the body. It is dangerous to everyone and particularly to children. Once ingested, it may be stored in the bones and soft tissues for decades. Even extremely low levels of exposure are toxic and very difficult to eliminate. Lead gets into water from the corrosion of plumbing parts (such as the solder used to join copper pipes) and from brass fittings and faucets.

  Most Vulnerable: young children and pregnant mothers

  Lead has a toxic effect on the brain, especially the developing brains of young children. Exposure can lead to lowered IQ, emotional reactivity, aggression, and diminished social functioning.
  There is no safe level for lead. Its presence is complicated by the fact that it cannot be detected in water by sight, smell or taste. Testing is the only way to detect lead in water.
  Adverse consequences are most significant for young children and pregnant women. Potential effects to lead exposure during pregnancy include premature births, smaller babies, decreased mental ability in the infant, learning difficulties, and reduced growth in young children.
  Lead free water is particularly important for infants whose formula is prepared by adding water to liquid concentrate or powder.

  Lead in Drinking Water – the problem is at home

  Unlike most other drinking water contaminants, lead is usually not in water before it reaches your home or workplace. It comes from contact with lead service lines (water pipes that link a house to the main water supply), lead solder used to join pipes, or form brass plumbing fixtures such as faucets.

  Lead Levels in Drinking Water: 4 significant factors

  1. Greater risk of lead in older homes

  1. Older homes built prior to the mid-1950’s are more likely to have lead pipes and service lines, especially in provinces east of British Columbia

  “The City of Vancouver conducted a lead service replacement program in the ‘80s to remove lead water services to the property line. According to staff who were involved in the replacement program, they do not recall seeing any lead service on private property. Galvanized pipes was the common material on private property (in Vancouver) as it was much less expensive…For residents who have particular concerns about metals from aged household plumbing, there are a number of CAEAL accredited private laboratories who offer testing services.” – Jennifer Bailey, Water Quality Department, City of Vancouver, Jan 2007

  In Vancouver BC, homes built between the mid 1950’s and 1989 are not likely to have lead pipes or service lines but may have lead in some fixtures or lead solder used to join pipes.
  Homes built after 1989 are unlikely to have any lead in pipes, service lines, solder or pipe connections.
  In other parts of Canada, plumbing containing lead, including service lines, are more likely to still be in place especially in older buildings.

  2. pH influences lead content in water

  1. Lead-based pipes and other plumbing materials corrode if water has a low pH (is very acidic) or if its alkalinity (the ability of the water to stabilize the pH) is too low.
  1. The optimal pH of water for controlling lead corrosion is between 7.5 and 9.5.
  Water supplied to Metro Vancouver is naturally acidic (low pH). Metro Vancouver adjusts the pH of tap to offset this corrosive effect.

  3. Lead leaches into stagnant water

  1. Lead levels increase significantly in ‘standing’ water (that is water that sits unused in pipes overnight or for extended periods of time). For this reason municipalities advise people who live in older homes to run their tap water first thing in the morning (and after returning home from work) until water runs cold to flush any standing water. Periodically, remove and clean all faucet aerators.
  Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment advises that people in homes with lead service lines should flush standing water for at least 5 minutes.

  4. Warm water increases lead levels

  Never use hot water for drinking, cooking, or especially for making baby formula. Heat increases the leaching of lead into water.

  Identifying Lead Pipes in Your Home

  

  lead pipe

  

  copper pipe

  Your water service line is the pipe that enters your home through the wall or floor in your basement and is connected to your water meter. Service lines are typically made of lead or copper. Lead service lines are silver/grey in colour. Lead is soft and non-magnetic. It can be easily engraved with a sharp stick or metal nail. Copper pipe, on the other hand, is the same colour as a penny.
  If your house is connected by a lead service line and/or you have concerns about the quality of your water, please contact your municipality.

  Some other sources of lead exposure may be:

  • children’s toys and jewelry
  • lead in paint on toys and furnishings
  • lipstick
  • candlewicks
  • lead crystal glassware
  • fishing weights

  For more information about lead see Environmental Defence.

  Health Canada Guidelines for lead in drinking water
  Health Canada’s Guideline for the maximum acceptable concentration of lead content in drinking water was lowered by half in early 2019 from 0.010 mg/L to 0.005 mg/L (milligrams per litre).

  0.005 mg/L is the same as 5 µg/dL or 5 parts per billion (ppb).
  To give you an idea of how small these numbers are, 1 ppb is comparable to 1 second in 32 years, or 1¢ in $10,000,000.

  It is controversial that, in Canada, this standard is measured using a free flowing water sample (after the water has run for some time). In the U.S water is tested for lead at first draw.

  How to Protect Yourself from Lead in Drinking Water

  Use a point-of-use filtration system certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for the removal of lead.
  Be sure to replace filter cartridges at regular, recommended intervals to ensure sustained protection.
  Boiling water will NOT remove lead.
  All pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings and fixtures that come in contact with drinking water should meet the low-lead rule.

  References
  

  Lead in Drinking Water:
  https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/programs/consultation-lead-drinking-water/document.html
  Health Canada: Reducing Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water
  http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/water-eau/lead-plomb-eng.php
  http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/contaminants/fs-fi/lead-plomb_e.html

  Disclaimer
  The information and recommendations provided on this website have not been evaluated by Health Canada and are for educational purposes only. The products and information offered on this site are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. You should always ask your doctor before using any products.

  Posted in News & Initiatives, Vancouver Water, Water and Health, Water Treatment Guide

• Preparing for the BIG ONE: water you waiting for?

  Wednesday, December 30th, 2015

  

  British Columbia’s current earthquakes are wake-up calls. The Cascadia Subduction Zone is clearly adjusting itself.

  These seismic events may be precursors to Vancouver’s long expected ‘Big One’.
  Are you prepared?

  If you haven’t got an emergency kit prepared yet, this is the time to get it together.

  Store emergency water
  A major earthquake could damage municipal water supply lines, making tap water unavailable and/or vulnerable to contamination through ruptured pipes.

  The April 2015 earthquake in Nepal has reminded us how devastating a ‘natural’ disaster can be. Don’t take adequate water supplies for granted.

  If you store ample water in advance you’ve already greatly increased your family’s ability to respond to an earthquake.

  How much water to store
  At very least, you should store one gallon per person per day for three days. Extra if you have pets. A three-week supply is preferable.

  Water storage containers for an emergency
  Look for sturdy, re-usable one- to five-gallon plastic containers made of number 2, 4 or 5 plastic. Yes, plastic for portability. Glass is too heavy for emergency use. Best not to rely on one or two gallon containers typically found in grocery store as they aren’t designed for long-term storage.

  Home owners may be well advised to also store water in large food-grade plastic drums.

  Sanitation and six month replacement schedule
  Make sure the containers are sanitized before filling them with chlorinated tap water. Yes, chlorinated.   Hopefully you will never have to use this water but if you do, better that it be sterile than bacteria-ridden. Make yourself a reminder to replace the water in these containers every six months.

  Alternate emergency water sources
  Water from the following sources should be disinfected if needed for drinking in emergency conditions. Berkey® water purifiers will disinfect water from these last-resort sources as well as making it taste better.

  • Hot water tank
    Turn off the power that heats it, and let the tank cool. Then place a container underneath and open the drain valve at the bottom of the tank. Don’t turn the tank on again until water services are restored.
  • Toilet tank
    The water in the tank (not the bowl) can be used to drink in an emergency unless chemical treatments have been added.
  • Water pipes
    Release air pressure into the plumbing system by turning on the highest faucet in the house. Then drain the water from the lowest faucet.
  • Outside the home
    Rain water, spring water, and water from streams, river, lakes, and coiled garden hoses can be used after it is disinfected.

  Emergency water purification methods
  Here are four methods to disinfect questionable water in emergency situations:

  • Berkey® water purifier – gravity filter requires no electricity.
  • LifeStraw – portable water filter.
  • Aquatabs – add prescribed number of pre-packaged water purification tablets to water. Wait 30 minutes.
  • Liquid chlorine bleach (unscented) – add eight drops per gallon of water. Double this amount if the water is cloudy.
  • Two percent tincture of iodine – add twelve drops per gallon of water. Double this amount if the water is cloudy.
  • Boil the water vigorously for 10 minutes.

  Local natural sources of fresh water
  Vancouver has paved over all but three of its many creeks and streams. This is very unfortunate for many reasons, one of which would be devastatingly clear in the event of a water shortage.
  Take note if you are lucky enough to live near a natural source of fresh water… a creek, stream, river or lake. Protect and respect this invaluable living resource. It could be your life-saving source of fresh water in the event of an earthquake.

  Note 1: If emergency use water is very murky, it is best to strain it through several layers of cheesecloth or a paper coffee filter before applying one of the above treatments.

  Note 2: Most drinking water filters are meant to be used with municipally treated (disinfected), microbiologically safe tap water only. They do not remove bacteria and will not protect you adequately in an emergency situation.

  *Map from EMBC Earthquake Info page

  Additional Links:

  Prepared BC
  B.C. Earthquake Immediate Response Plan (PDF)

  Posted in News & Initiatives, Vancouver Water, Water and Health, Water Treatment Guide

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