Waterways Alerts

Where in the U.S. and Canada? (*Updated 6/10/2014)

by Paragon Water Systems and American Carbon Block

No matter where you live:

• Dwelling in the belly of a metropolis
• Skimming the outskirts of suburbia
• Looking out over a peaceful valley
• Working in the heart of the grain belt
• Casting an eye out over a river or ocean

WATER Is in the News!

At Paragon Water we understand that to be a leader in the business we also need to keep our suppliers and customers aware of the need for better monitoring by creating our Waterways Alert Map.

The Midwest section of the country seems to be in fine shape as far as Waterways Alerts. The same area of the United States is home to the largest freshwater aquifer.  Can the Ogawalla Aquifer and the KXL Pipeline project co-exist?

Evansville to Consider Adding a Second Water Treatment Plant Dateline: Evansville, IN 6/10-2014 Preparation is everything. Apparently, for the city of Evansville, two separate incidents this winter have prompted thinking about the addition of a second water treatment plant as backup. When your treatment plant is the only one serving the citizenry, and your supply is from only one source (the Ohio River), you need to plan for tomorrow. At least they are giving it thought. How about your local water utility system? Time to ask some questions? Here’s a snippet: “These are ongoing investments for an infrastructure that a majority of it is one-hundred plus years old," says Mounts. "I wished I could flip a switch and it happen tonight and it all be fixed and it all be well, but because of the size of this it's gonna take some time.” [Tristatehomepage.com] When Are Arsenic Levels Too High? Dateline: Brainerd, MN 3/18-2014 (Rust Triangle) Dangerous arsenic levels are more complex to discover due to variable chemical combinations, the amount of exposure, and the length of time of exposure. There is no sure mathematical calculation. Hence, no one wants to standardize dangerous levels for private well concentrations. Here’s are a few snippet: “There is evidence that people who’ve consumed arsenic at levels of 100 ppb over an extended period of time can develop diabetes, nervous system problems, several circulatory diseases and high blood pressure. Studies have also linked long-term arsenic exposure to certain types of cancers, particularly of the lungs, bladder and liver.” “One measure homeowners can take to remove arsenic from their drinking water is to install a reverse osmosis filtration system.” [pineandlakes Echo] Dateline: Charleston, WV (REVISITED) 3/12/2014 (Red Lightning Bolt) Make the Choices You Need to Make for Your Family! The devastating chemical spill in West Virginia back on January 9, 2014, left families in West Virginia scrambling for H2O. Freedom Industries reported a spill of 10,000 gallons of methylcyclohexane methanol (MCHM) and as smaller spill of propylene glycol phenyl ether (PPH). Even two months later, people struggle every day to draw lines of safety as to how much to trust the water supply. Here’s are a few snippets to illustrate the problem: “But even with the official go-ahead having been given several weeks ago, she refuses to drink it. Nor will she brush her teeth with it or shower in it; she won't run a load of laundry. She even refuses to mop the floor with the water.”  “Talk to people on the street and you're told that no one drinks from the tap. Some people bathe in it, others use it to wash their clothes, but almost no one trusts it.” This stance is perfectly understandable given that Governor Tomblin and Jeff McIntyre, president of WVAW, have yet to definitively state that the water is safe. Instead they have variously described it as "appropriate" and "usable for all purposes." At a hearing in Charleston on February 10th, when pressed to unambiguously confirm the water's safety, Letitia Tierney, Commissioner of the state Bureau for Public Health, responded, hardly reassuringly, "That's, in a way, a difficult thing to say because everybody has a different definition of safe." Apparently the West Virginia leaders handling the crisis also believe that everyone has a different definition of what's right and what's sane. Tierney's equivocation echoed the governor's hedge on the safety question at an earlier press conference. Instead of providing clear information, Tomblin dumped responsibility on the individual. "I'm not going to say absolutely, 100 percent, that everything is safe," he said. "It's your decision." [Rolling Stone]

Dateline: North and Central Wisconsin, 3/10-2014 (Green Square) Wisconsin Study Says Untreated Drinking Water Has More Risk of Illness According to a study in the American Journal of Public Health, local communities that do not disinfect water systems have a 40 percent higher rate of gastrointestinal illnesses after an inch of rain has fallen. Crazy weather this winter and spring could boost the illness rate to 240 percent higher if there is more than 4.5 inches of rain the previous week. Here’s a snippet: “The study is the latest example showing the potential health risks posed by public water systems that don't disinfect water. There are more than 60 Wisconsin municipalities with a population of 85,000 that do not disinfect water, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.” “Some community officials say their residents don't want water treated and found additives like chlorine distasteful.” "It goes back to choice for the community," Rep. Erik Severson said in a 2012 interview. "The communities have to make the decision." [Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel]

Dateline: Greybull, WY 3/9-2014 (Green Square) Ice Jams on Big Horn Cause Extensive Flooding Piled river ice, an electrical power loss, and just running out of space required the Department of Environmental Quality in Wyoming to authorize sewage pumping into the Big Horn River to keep house basements safe. The Wyoming National Guard assisted with flood control while the town kept eyes on ice as it piled up against bridges. Here’s a snippet: “I know we upset some people by doing that, but I wouldn’t have wanted to drive across that bridge,” said Brenner. “You could feel the ice chunks slamming into it.  They would rock the bridge. It was spooky, actually. Some of those ice chunks were the size of semis.  Luckily the bridge held up.” [Greybull Standard]

Dateline: York, ME 3/6-2014 (Green Square) Algae in Drinking Water to be Addressed Green water runs deep and time waits for no one. The town of York has a “blooming” problem – algae, that is. Their water source, known as Chases Pond, has been taken over by a pesky algae outbreak.  As a first line of defense, the State of Maine allows the use of an algaecide if the situation escalates. A new circulation system could be two years to increase oxygen levels for future mitigation. Here’s a snippet: “The algae presents no health hazard, according to York Water Superintendent Don Neumann. In larger quantities, it can give the water and odor and taste of metallic. The algae is not at that “bloom” stage.” [Seacoastonline]

Dateline: Ruidoso, NM 2/14-2014 (GreenTriangle) Risks to Water Supply Enumerated Combine the forces of natural disasters with human decision making and choices for quality drinking water are “gray” for the residents of Ruidoso, New Mexico. Sea levels rise and aquifer levels dwindle. Albuquerque injects treated wastewater “graywater” to recharge aquifers. Here’s a snippet: Dennis McQuillan of the Drinking Water Bureau says, "Most of Ruidoso is underlaid by aquifers. The geology is complex. The best quality of water is in volcanic rock. The worst is in the Yeso Formation by Ruidoso Downs and farther to east. Rain and snow replenish the aquifer, so when we have a dry winter, that's when we get lot of calls about springs and wells drying up.” He goes on to say, "Now everything goes down pipes, streets and driveways and is not soaking back into the land and that's impacting the aquifer more," she said "We need to turn to gray water to replenish the aquifer." [Ruidoso News]

Dateline: Moscow, Idaho 2/14-2014 (Green Triangle) Moscow mobile home park residents seek water remedy For many people owning their own home will always be a dream. For most they must rely upon a  land owner, landlord, or a maintenance company for utility problems that may arise. Residents in the Syringa Mobile Home Park in Idaho brought a lawsuit about water quality issues including levels of coliform, chlorine, bacteria, and lead. The park’s landlord lives in Washington state. Here’s a snippet:  "The water 's been an issue for a long time," Gorton said. He alleged chlorine in the water made it so he couldn't even make coffee or take a shower without his eyes burning." "About a month and a half after moving in, Thompson said she was notified of E. coli allegedly in the water . Due to her and her husband's health conditions, she said they haven't consumed the water since." "We have to spend gas money to go into town to get free water from the city of Moscow ," she said, noting they regularly use the available pump station in town.” [Lewiston Morning Tribune]

Dateline: Rialto, CA 1/31-2014 (Green Triangle) Rialto: Final $11 Million Settlement Reached in Water Contamination Suit After 70 years of industrial use by B.F. Goodrich, Emhart Industries, KTI, Inc. and Pyro Spectaculars, and Pyrotronics, the site in Rialto found its way onto the EPA’s National Priorities List for contamination cleanup of perchlorate and trichloroethylene. Not only did the citizens lose precious water supplies from wells in the area, but the cost of the more expensive treatment systems passed along to the residents. Here’s a snippet: “Part of the money from the settlements will be used to reimburse residents for the “perchlorate surcharge” they paid from 2004 to 2012 to cover legal fees. The average household paid about $9 per month.” [nearly $1,000 per household] “Some former and current residents worry that their health problems, including cancer, thyroid ailments and miscarriages, were caused by drinking and bathing in the water before the contamination was discovered. They are considering filing a class action lawsuit against the companies who used the site.” [The Press-Enterprise]

Dateline: Livingston, CA 2/3-2014 (Green Bullseye) Drinking Water in Livingston, Calif., Contaminated Small towns suffer from ‘the perfect storm” when it comes to help with water quality issues. The city of Livingston, CA prepared pre-applications for $22 million in state money to fund water projects. According to a report all seven wells contain contaminants including TCP, DBPC, nitrate, arsenic, and manganese, each of which cause systemic damage to humans. Here’s a snippet:  “Animal studies have shown that long-term exposure to TCP may cause kidney failure, reduced body weight, and increased incidences of tumors within numerous organs.” “Acute (short-term) exposure to DBCP in humans results in moderate depression of the central nervous system (CNS) and pulmonary congestion from inhalation, and gastrointestinal distress and pulmonary edema from oral exposure.” [AllVoices.com]

Dateline: Watertown, NY 2/3/2014 (Green Bullseye) Orleans Starts Letter-writing Campaign to Improve Water Quality Issue When salt contaminated local wells in Orleans, local officials received information that required follow up. When a state agency was also involved, in this case the New York Department of Transportation and its winter road salting supply, extra effort from Orleans’ citizens might help to cut through the red tape. Here’s a snippet:  “We had our water tested and it was 550 parts per million sodium; anything over 250 is dangerous,” Mr. Jeffers said. “This is not safe, not the kind of water you want your kids bathing in, and people forget skin is one large organ.” “In an effort to rectify a decade-long problem, Mr. Jeffers and other community members are starting a letter-writing campaign, sending out petitions and encouraging people to attend the Orleans Town Council meeting Feb. 13 at the municipal building.” [Watertown Daily Times]

Dateline: Salt Lake City, UT 02/04/2014 (Green Bullseye) Willard Bay Emerges from Fuel Spill in Better Shape A sense of corporate responsibility created a winning situation for the visitors to the Willard Bay recreational area. A spill of 21,000 gallons of diesel fuel from a broken line linked to the Chevron Pipe Line Company closed part of the park for several months, impacting visitor numbers. Here’s a snippet: As part of the settlement, Chevron also agreed to pay $350,000 in civil penalties to the state Division of Water Quality and $4.45 million to fund mitigation projects that are above and beyond any cleanup actions by the company.” “Chevron received credit for $719,000 in projects already completed at the state park and will also get a nod for a new $600,000 handicapped-accessible trail that will bolster the park's amenities.” [Deseret News]

Dateline: Camano Island, WA 1/22/2014 (Black Square) Boil Water Advisory Ends for Camano Island Neighborhood Geography, saltwater intrusion, and infrastructure maintenance create unique challenges for suppliers of drinking water. In the case of Camano City Community Club, a boil-water advisory for possible presence of E. coli bacteria, lasted from January 16-22. Here’s a snippet: “…contamination was linked to frequent power outages that caused a water-pressure loss allowing contaminants into the system.” [Washington State Department of Health]

Dateline: Georgia 1/23/2014 (Black Square) Scientist studies septic systems' effect on water quality Septic systems manage approximately 25 percent of homes in the United States. On-site septic systems use soil to treat waste water before it reaches ground water. Scientists are now looking at bacteria, nutrient, and hormone levels in stream and river water. Here’s a snippet: According to Mussie Habteselassie, from UGA, “Seventy-eight percent of Georgia’s drinking water comes from surface water. That’s why we are looking at the effect septic systems have on water quality and quantity.” [PHYS.org]

Dateline: Honolulu, HI 1/21/2014 (Black Square) In aftermath of Red Hill fuel leak, tests find drinking water still safe Military bases and storage sites can be a source of many chemicals. In the case of Red Hill Underground Fuel Storage Facility, the possible water contaminant was a leak in a 12 million-gallon tank of JP-8 jet fuel. Initial tests have shown no fuel in drinking water wells. Here’s a snippet: “Draining of the fuel tank was completed Saturday morning. Now it must be vented, a process that could take several weeks, before workers can enter it to try to find the source of the leak.” [Honolulu Star-Advertiser]

Dateline: North St. Louis County, MO 1/16/2014 (Black Triangle) New report of cancers near Coldwater Creek Radioactive by-products of past contamination renew health concerns. Several types of cancer (including 37 cases of appendix cancer) occur at higher-than-normal levels years in the areas adjacent to Coldwater Creek.  Here’s a snippet: “[Residents are hoping to catch the attention of federal health investigators and get classified as “downwinders” entitled to compensation for radiation exposure linked to atomic bomb production. Investigations into suspected cancer clusters are rarely definitive because of the complexity of the disease and the difficulty in measuring exposures to carcinogens.” [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]

Dateline: Sebring, FL 1/15/2014 (Black Triangle) Lake Josephine residents concerned about water Sometimes nature and science act together as mad chemists to produce dangerous water quality situations. The rotten-egg smell of naturally-occurring  hydrogen sulfide that many Floridians know and DON'T love can react with chlorine/chloramine to produce Haloacetic Acid. Here’s a snippet: “Carl Smith -- U.S. Water's director of customer service, billing and business development -- said water quality in Florida can vary greatly within a few miles, depending on how deep the water is and what substances leached into the earth from land uses over the years. Dealing with those inconsistencies is not easy, he said. "It's a tough science, but as technology improves, (you) have better things available to you," Smith said.” [News-Sun]

Dateline: Fairbanks, AK 1/14/14 (Black Triangle) Sulfolane meeting in North Pole tonight Water, the "universal solvent," experiences  contamination from man-made solvents. This time, the solvent in the news is Sulfolane (tetramethylene sulfone). Ongoing meetings on the subject pit the gasoline refinery against residents. [Fairbanks Daily News-Miner]  This ongoing debate includes a snippet about the alternative water supply program.  Flint Hills Refinery North Pole Groundwater Office site:  We maintain the alternative water supply program that protects the community. This includes: delivering bottled water, bulk water or maintaining POE systems on a routine basis testing private wells and our monitoring wells to ensure that the alternative water solutions are in the right place We run on-site remediation systems to capture and treat groundwater to remove sulfolane. A planned spring 2014 expansion of this system will expand the area of groundwater captured and treated. We work with realtors to test properties during real estate transactions when requested/required.

Dateline: Memphis, TN 1/2/2014 (Black Bullseye)  City Adjusting Water Filtration Process to Address Disinfection Byproduct Violations Total Haloacetic Acids and Total Trihalomethanes levels requiring a look at increasing the amount of activated carbon that needs to be added in the pre-filter process. These organics form in their chlorine- and chloramine-based drinking water treatment processes. Here’s a snippet: “[Department of Natural Resources] DNR officials noted that drinking water systems that use surface water sources, such as lakes and reservoirs, are more likely to experience problems with disinfection byproducts than groundwater systems -- those that receive their source water from wells -- because there is a greater amount of organic material in surface water. The organic material reacts with the chlorine that is required to reduce the level of naturally occurring -- but potentially harmful -- bacteria in the source water.” [Memphis Democrat]

Dateline: Evansville, IN, 1/9/2014 (Black Bullseye) Water treatment reservoirs at 40 percent, residents asked to conserve Winter brings special challenges to water filtration plants. Freezing water wreaks havoc on water mains and reduces water pressure. Pressure is critical for efficient filtering. BOIL WATER alerts and extra conservation measures are bound to make people nervous about water quality. Filtration at the point of use should follow these utility alerts. Here’s a snippet: “Water and Sewer Utility Director Allen Mounts said the Ohio River temperature was about 37 degrees Thursday, and the treatment plant on Waterworks Road is not able to effectively clean impurities when water is that cold.” “The treatment plant has 22 filtration beds. When impurities reach a certain level, Mounts said, some of those filtration beds must be emptied, cleaned and not used for a period of time. When that happens, the plant operates at reduced capacity.” [Evansville Courier and Press]

Dateline: 9 Counties in West Virginia 1/10/14 (Black Bullseye) State, feds declare a state of emergency as out-of-state water is trucked in A spill of up to 5,000 gallons of 4-Methylcyclohexane Menthol (MCHM) resulted in a state of emergency alert for customers of West Virginia American Water. The chemical, used to wash impurities from coal, leaked from a tank of MCHM and poured into the Elk River. Water is being trucked into the area and schools, restaurants, and even the state legislature has shut down. Here’s a snippet: "Do not drink it. Do not cook with it. Do not wash clothes in it. Do not take a bath in it," Tomblin warned. "For safety, we would ask everyone -- this includes restaurants, hospitals, any institutions out there -- please do not use any tap water if you're a customer of West Virginia American Water." [USA TODAY]

Visit us at http://www.paragonwater.com and let us create a filtration solution for you today! Call us at 1-800-288-9708