3 ms·

Is there testing that can be done for these as a homeowner/renter?

ianlevesque 3y ago
Yes. Start with the EPA’s list of state laboratory certification programs here https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-03/state-cert-programs-certify-labs-to-conduct-drinking-water-analyses.pdf https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-03/state-cer... then find a lab from the list for your state. Then you generally just mail them a sample using their kit.
- 11101010001100 3y ago
  Keep in mind that these measurements are not straightforward. Large background signal due to these compounds literally being EVERYWHERE!
bradfa 3y ago
Your local water authority may publish their test results, including their testing to detect such forever chemicals. Mine does: https://mcwa-wordpress-media.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022-Detected-Substances-Summary-Final.pdf https://mcwa-wordpress-media.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/upl...
- tsergiu 3y ago
  I am skeptical of reports published by the cities. There is incentive for the reports to skew positive, since otherwise individuals can lose elections/jobs/contracts. So I looked back at the 2014-2016 reports from Flint, Michigan to see if they correctly predicted the water crisis. They did, but only very subtly. In 2014, there was a single violation of too many total trihalomethanes: https://www.cityofflint.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/CCR-2014.pdf https://www.cityofflint.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/CCR-2... In 2016, there were no declared violations, even though the 90th percentile sample of lead concentration (20 ppb) was over the 15 ppb limit: https://www.cityofflint.com/wp-content/uploads/City-of-Flint-2016-Annual-Water-Quality-Report.pdf https://www.cityofflint.com/wp-content/uploads/City-of-Flint... Also note that while in the US the lead concentration limit is 15 ppb, Canada has recently reduced its limit from 10 ppb to 5 ppb. Nearly every US city I've looked at exceeds 5 ppb.
evanlivingston 3y ago
The testing is probably already done for you! https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/ https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/
- kevin_thibedeau 3y ago
  I would take their data with a grain of salt. It's basically a viral marketing site for filter manufacturers and they're biased toward showing scary numbers. My city has two water sources depending on where you're located and they don't break down the figures to that level of detail but the county water quality report does.

Yes. Start with the EPA’s list of state laboratory certification programs here https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-03/state-cert-programs-certify-labs-to-conduct-drinking-water-analyses.pdf https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-03/state-cer... then find a lab from the list for your state. Then you generally just mail them a sample using their kit.

11101010001100 3y ago
Keep in mind that these measurements are not straightforward. Large background signal due to these compounds literally being EVERYWHERE!

bradfa 3y ago

Your local water authority may publish their test results, including their testing to detect such forever chemicals. Mine does: https://mcwa-wordpress-media.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022-Detected-Substances-Summary-Final.pdf https://mcwa-wordpress-media.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/upl...

tsergiu 3y ago
I am skeptical of reports published by the cities. There is incentive for the reports to skew positive, since otherwise individuals can lose elections/jobs/contracts. So I looked back at the 2014-2016 reports from Flint, Michigan to see if they correctly predicted the water crisis. They did, but only very subtly. In 2014, there was a single violation of too many total trihalomethanes: https://www.cityofflint.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/CCR-2014.pdf https://www.cityofflint.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/CCR-2... In 2016, there were no declared violations, even though the 90th percentile sample of lead concentration (20 ppb) was over the 15 ppb limit: https://www.cityofflint.com/wp-content/uploads/City-of-Flint-2016-Annual-Water-Quality-Report.pdf https://www.cityofflint.com/wp-content/uploads/City-of-Flint... Also note that while in the US the lead concentration limit is 15 ppb, Canada has recently reduced its limit from 10 ppb to 5 ppb. Nearly every US city I've looked at exceeds 5 ppb.

evanlivingston 3y ago

The testing is probably already done for you! https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/ https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/

kevin_thibedeau 3y ago
I would take their data with a grain of salt. It's basically a viral marketing site for filter manufacturers and they're biased toward showing scary numbers. My city has two water sources depending on where you're located and they don't break down the figures to that level of detail but the county water quality report does.