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Chloramines in Your Drinking Water Safe or Harmful? Chloramines may be something you’ve never heard of before, but they’ve been in your drinking water for a while. For some cities, it’s been nearly 100 years. Let’s back up a moment. What are chloramines and why should you be interested in them? You probably know what chlorine is and how it has been used to help disinfect drinking water before it enters your home. Chloramines are a combination of chlorine and ammonia and that mix has caused a number of consumer concerns. One of them is that ammonia itself is a food source for bacteria which means the germs are growing and not being depleted. The next is that chloramines are corrosive and can damage copper piping. Chloramines – the plural is used because it can come in many forms depending on the pH and mineral content of the water – have been the backup disinfectant to chlorine for a long time in major cities like Cleveland, OH, Springfield, IL, and Lansing, MI. A 1998 survey done by the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] reported that as many as 68 million Americans – that’s 1 in 5 – had been drinking water disinfected with chloramines. Why the Switch? There is one important reason why chloramines were added as a back up to chlorine: Chlorine dissipates quickly, and the result could be that germs remain in the drinking water. But there’s an even bigger concern about chloramines and that’s what they can do to your health. Research is currently underway to provide better answers as to why the use of chloramines to disinfect your water is risky business. Risky Business Exposure to chloramines in your drinking water can cause skin rashes and itching. It also doesn’t kill the pathogens that live in your water. That may be okay for a healthy person, but it isn’t for someone who has an autoimmune disease or children and the elderly. We have the solution….ask about our No-Salt Whole House Water Purification Systems. Fred DeFelice Water Science US Direct: 727-804-4562 Can Fluoride Make You Stupid? For many years, we have been told that fluoride is good for our teeth. But extensive research has uncovered the truth about Fluoride. Not only can it make you fat and stupid, but also can make your kids hyperactive with cognitive difficulties. Fluoride causes increased uptake of aluminum in the brain, thereby contributing to Alzheimer's disease. Beyond that, fluoride causes bones to become brittle, so they break easily. Take a look at the research findings on fluoride, not only in the United States, but all over the world. • Researchers from Harvard University's School of Public Health and China Medical University reviewed 27 different fluoride studies done in China, India, Mexico, and Iran. Their findings found "strong indications" of fluoride exposure issues for children living in municipalities that fluoridated the public drinking water. Based on the findings, children consuming fluoridated water had lower IQs than children who did not. • In the Xiang (China) study, the children in the fluoridated village suffered 5-10 points lower IQ and more mental handicaps than the children in the non-fluoridated village. • Pregnant rats that drank fluoridated water gave birth to hyperactive babies who exhibited retarded behavior and cognitive defects when continuing to consume fluoridated water. Male newborns exhibited "hyperactive" behavior. According to the CDC, ADHD affects an estimated 5.2% of children ages 3-17. • A 1998 study by Julie A. Varner found that rats fed distilled water with the addition of either sodium fluoride or aluminum fluoride for 1 year found that both groups of rats had an increased uptake of aluminum into the brain and formed beta-amyloid deposits associated with Alzheimer's disease. • Increased arthritis rates. The first symptoms of bone poisoning are identical to the first symptoms of arthritis. • Fluoride affects the thyroid gland as well as the teeth and bones. Tune in next week to found out how your extra weight and lowered metabolism can be attributed to fluoride consumption. Sources: "The Fluoride Deception" by Christopher Bryson and "The Case against Fluoride" by Paul Connett, PhD, James Beck, MD, PhD and H.S. Micklem, DPhil Opinion: Water Fluoridation Is an Emperor Without Clothes By: Rick North September 4, 2018 Putting a drug – any drug – in drinking water is absurd. Putting fluoride – a known neurotoxin – in the water is unconscionable. Yet the U.S. government has endorsed water fluoridation since 1950. Many organizations in the medical establishment, led by the American Dental Association, American Medical Association and American Public Health Association, quickly jumped on the bandwagon, before any long-term health studies were done. They’ve never climbed off, denying the wealth of research demonstrating fluoride’s harmful effects, including recent strong evidence it can lower IQ’s in children. Indeed, in 2006, the National Research Council asserted “It is apparent that fluorides have the ability to interfere with the functions of the brain and body. In the following decade, 189 out of 196 peer- reviewed studies – human, animal, and cellular - found fluoride to be neurotoxic. My Stedman’s Medical Dictionary defines a drug as “a substance used in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of a disease” or “such a substance as recognized or defined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.” Melinda Plaisier, the FDA associate commissioner for legislation, stated in an official letter to the U.S. House of Representatives “Fluoride, when used in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in man or animal, is a drug that is subject to FDA regulation.” Fluoride is used to prevent cavities. Consequently, the FDA regulates it, requiring a prescription for fluoride tablets and a label on fluoridated toothpaste that says, for children under 6, “If more than used for brushing is accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.” But once fluoride is added to public water supplies, the FDA no longer takes responsibility for it as a drug. If you’re looking for logic or consistency, look elsewhere. Instead, it’s regulated by the EPA as a contaminant, which it certainly is. It’s highly toxic in its own right, and the chemical typically used, fluorosilicic acid (FSA), can be contaminated with lead, arsenic and heavy metals. If FSA isn’t used for fluoridation, it must be disposed of as a hazardous waste. (I’m not making this up.) Again, if you’re looking for logic . . . When you go to a doctor's office there are standard safety protocols for his/her recommending a drug. It is prescribed for you only, based on your personal medical history. It’s a specific dose and prescribed for a specific period of time. The doctor must tell you its potential harmful side effects. But it’s still up to you - the patient - to decide if you’ll take the drug or not. When you add fluoride to the water, every one of these protocols is violated. This is both absurd and unethical. It takes away your right of informed consent. It is one main reason that many European countries have banned fluoridation. And for those that don’t have a nationwide ban, it’s a major reason that the vast majority of their cities and towns either decided they don’t want it or simply consider it a non-issue. Out of 48 European nations, only five have any fluoridated cities. Over 98% of Europeans drink un-fluoridated water. European health officials’ statements make it clear: • Netherlands: “The addition of chemicals to drinking water is prohibited by law in the Netherlands. This law came into effect because it was widely perceived that drinking water should not be used as a vehicle for pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, fluoridation of drinking water would conflict with the freedom to choose for natural drinking water.” • Belgium: “This water treatment has never been of use . . . The main reason . . . is the fundamental position of the drinking water sector that it is not its task to deliver medicinal treatment to people.” • France: “Fluoride chemicals are not included in the list (of ‘chemicals for drinking water treatment).' This is due to ethical as well as medical considerations.” • Germany: “The Federal Ministry of Health cites 'the problematic nature of (compulsory) medication' in not fluoridating.” • Czech Republic: “(Fluoridation) is not under consideration because this form of supplementation is considered uneconomical, un-ecological, unethical - forced medication.” Adding fluoride to water to prevent cavities is as nonsensical as putting statins in water to lower cholesterol, Prozac to treat depression, or even aspirin to relieve headaches. Prescribing drugs isn’t one-size-fits-all. Virtually any can have harmful side effects, especially to vulnerable sub-populations like children, pregnant women and those who are medically fragile. There is no other drug allowed in U.S. water supplies. It is sheer absurdity that we’re still allowing this one. Rick North is the former executive vice president of the Oregon American Cancer Society and former project director for Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility’s Campaign for Safe Food. He can be reached at hrnorth@hevanet.com. Reclaimed Water as a Potential Source to augment Drinking Water As Published February 22, 2018, www.TampaBayWater.org Due to Tampa Bay’s rapid growth, it is estimated that an additional 10 million gallons per day of new drinking water will be required by 2028. There are two options for using reclaimed water to compensate for the shortfall. One option is to blend reclaimed water that has been cleaned and disinfected with desalinated seawater. This option would require a new water treatment facility built at or near the Tampa Bay Seawater Desalination Plant. Another option is to add reclaimed water to the front end of the water plant, blend it with seawater, and purify the water through the facility’s pretreatment. This option would take advantage of existing infrastructure, but other processes would have to be modified. We are already dealing with Pharmaceutical Drugs in our tap water under the current system. Will we see an increase in those levels as more and more “toilet water” is used? Allow me to provide the information that will help you make an informed decision about the differences between Water Softeners and the right Water Purification System for your Home. Our Healthy Home System includes No-Salt Whole House Water purification plus the Water Science 6000 Alkaline System for drinking and cooking. The process is simple, I will bring water for you to sample, test your water and inspect the plumbing systems. Rather than a one size fits all approach, I will recommend the proper system for your home. Ask about special pricing, financing and the trade in value of your outdated Salt Water Softener. Never buy another bag of Salt or bottled water again! Fred DeFelice Master Plumber ~ Systems Designer fred@WaterScience.US 727-804-4562 www.WaterScience.US A Healthy Home starts with Safe, Healthy Water In our recent articles, we talked about the use of reclaimed water to supplement Tampa Bay’s drinking water needs and issues with the use of plastic water bottles. Now, a new study says Microplastic Contamination Is Found in Most Bottled Water. The study claims drinking from a plastic water bottle likely means ingesting microplastic particles, prompting fresh concerns and calls for scientific research. A study carried out on more than 250 water bottles, sourced from 11 brands, revealed that Microplastic contamination was found in more than 90% of the samples. The study, by journalism organization Orb Media and researchers at the State University of New York at Fredonia, found an average of 10.4 microplastic particles, about the width of a human hair, in each liter of water. As much as 90% of ingested plastic could pass through a human body, but some of it may end up lodged in the gut, or traveling through the lymphatic system, according to research by the European Food Safety Authority. Understanding this is the world we live in, we need to be educated on ways to protect our families. Allow me the opportunity to supply the necessary information for making an informed decision about Healthy Water for your family. The process is simple, I will bring water for you to sample, test your water, inspect the plumbing systems and make the right recommendation for your home. Ask about special pricing, financing and the trade in value of your outdated Salt Water Softener. “Never buy another bag of salt or bottled water again” Fred DeFelice Master Plumber / System Designer Sustainable Technologies Direct: 727-804-4562 States Ban Salt Water Softeners FEB 13 Why ban salt water softeners Over the last several years, many states have decided to ban salt water softeners entirely or restrict their use, and for good reason. When you pour a bag of salt pellets into your salt water softener tank, you are essentially dumping all of that salt into our freshwater rivers, streams and aquifers. Over time, discharge from salt water softeners will lead to increasing levels of sodium in fresh water supplies, and excessive chloride levels in soil. Many cities and states are now opting to ban salt water softeners in order to halt the cycle of environmental damage. Santa Clarita, CA water softener regulations In November of 2008, Santa Clarita voters approved a measure requiring removal of all residential water softeners, in order to protect the Santa Clara River. Other California cities have followed suit, including Fillmore, Chino, Chino Hills, Fontana, Montclair, Ontario, Upland, and the Cucamonga Valley and Monte Vista Water Districts. Michigan water softener regulations In May 2010, Hamburg Township prohibited the use of salt water softeners, in order to protect their aquifers from excessive sodium. Connecticut water softener regulations Brine discharge from salt water softeners is prohibited from entering private septic systems by the CT Public Health Code, in order to protect against groundwater contamination and damage to septic systems. Texas water softener regulations Most softeners are prohibited from being installed at homes with private septic systems. A homeowner can legally install a water softener as long as it’s labeled as “water-conserving,” and regenerates on demand as opposed to on a schedule. Massachusetts water softener regulations Brine discharge from salt water softeners is prohibited from entering private septic systems by Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Title 5 regulations. SOFT WATER -- IT'S NOT FOR DRINKING Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County prepared this information Soft Water is neither healthy nor desirable for drinking! If you were a steam iron or a washing machine it would be great, but we are neither! There are good reasons you should not be drinking soft water! Water is a universal solvent. Most materials, especially metals, are partially soluble in water. If that water is heated or softened it becomes much more aggressive at leaching metals from water lines. Lead in soldered joints and copper in pipe are particularly vulnerable and these are two of the heavy metals which shouldn't be present in significant amounts in your drinking water. WATER HARDNESS Calcium and magnesium are two minerals which make water "hard." Both of these minerals are classed as "contaminants," but that's a poor choice in terminology, for calcium is essential in our diet! A softener merely exchanges one group of non-toxic elements for another group of non-toxic elements. Water hardness is measured either in grains per gallon (GPG) or as calcium hardness in milligrams per liter (mg/l) or parts per million (ppm). GPG is based on calcium hardness. To convert from calcium hardness ppm, just divide by a factor of 17.2 and this gives you hardness in GPG. A soft or slightly hard water has up to 3.5 GPG; moderately hard water runs from 3.5 to 10.5 GPG; and very hard water is greater than 10.5 GPG. If your water is over 7 GPG, you might want to consider a softener just for the laundry. Metro water is on the low side of moderately hard at 4.1 GPG (that is 70 mg/l of calcium hardness. This is an excellent value and highly desirable! Cities which have soft water are having difficulty meeting the new lead standards in tap water. Metro has had none of these difficulties in meeting the new standards! SOFT WATER A soft water is aggressive at leaching metals (like lead) from your lines and faucets. Most faucets are solid brass (with a relatively high lead content) and are chrome plated. This means that if you have soft water, there is a great chance that your initial drawing of cold water will have a higher lead content than normal. Hot or warm water from the tap should never be used for cooking, shortcuts, drinking water, beverages, or infant formula as it could be higher in heavy metals like lead! WATER SOFTENERS Besides making the water more corrosive and aggressive at leaching metals from your lines and fixtures, the zeolite beads from water softening systems may back-siphon into your toilet tanks, and the soft water may attack vital plumbing parts. While supposedly solving one set of problems, the softener could possibly introduce other problems which you may or may not be aware of! A water softener, besides leaching lead and other metals from your plumbing, can increase your sodium intake. In water softening device hard water flows through synthetic resin beads. Sodium ions (salt) are loosely attached to each bead and the water exchanges hardness ions (calcium and magnesium) for the soft sodium ions. These devices can also be costly to run since they can waste up to 120 gallons for every 1,000 delivered. MORE ARTICLE HERE

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