What some cities have learned and other cities should know about water privatization fiascos in the United States.
Articles
Homeland Security
Chloramine poses security threat to military bases, Homeland Security discourages use in service areas which include military bases.
Lead in Water Harmed Sons, D.C. Man Claims
A Capitol Hill father of twin boys sued the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority yesterday, claiming the children's ongoing health problems can be tied to high concentrations of lead in drinking water.
High Lead Levels Found in D.C. Kids
A new study concludes that hundreds of young children in the District experienced potentially damaging amounts of lead in their blood when lead levels were dramatically rising in the city's tap water.
Clean Water Conundrum
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The process for disinfecting the water that comes out of your tap may be changing. New federal regulations aimed at improving water quality are prompting many utilities to switch the chemicals they use. But one increasingly popular disinfectant may do more harm than good. DUQ's Katherine Fink reports.
(Broadcast Date: February 17, 2009)
What is in our drinking water?
A drinking water disinfection by-product (DBP) is formed when the chemical used for disinfecting the drinking water reacts with natural organic matter and/or bromide/iodide in the source water. Popular disinfectants include chlorine, ozone, chlorine dioxide, and chloramine. Source waters include rivers, lakes, streams, groundwater, and sometimes seawater.
Health effects of Chloraminated Water
Conclusions and relevance to professional practice: Indoor pool areas were associated with illness in these outbreaks. A large proportion of bathers were affected ; symptoms were consistent with chloramine exposure and were sometimes severe.
Ashtabula Rubber Company Article
For years, the potable water industry has used disinfectants like chlorine to kill bacteria. However, these disinfectants were producing disinfectant by-products (DPB's).
Residents Fight For Clean Drinking Water
The Champlain Water District became the first municipal water provider in Vermont to add an additional disinfectant called chloramine to its potable water system.
Pennsylvania American Water Company Charter
The general public must feel absolutely certain that its drinking water is safe to consume.
Alternatives to Water Privatization
Water is a basic human right and governments have a responsibility to ensure universal access to water and sanitation services. Water and sanitation services that are publicly funded, managed and operated are the most common approach around the world.
Waves or Regret
What some cities have learned and other cities should know about water privatization fiascos in the United States.
Turning up the Tap
How the Private Water Industry Wants to Boost Profits – at the Expense of Taxpayers.
Top 10 Reasons to Oppose Water Privatization
Instead of protecting existing supplies, enhancing conservation efforts, helping vulnerable populations, curbing
pollution and raising public awareness, more and more government officials throughout the world are turning to
privatization — transferring the control of this precious resource from the public sector to the private sector.
Water Spill Kills McLean Fish
A broken Falls Church City water main is believed to have killed virtually the entire fish population in several miles of the Pimmit Run stream where it runs through McLean.
Why is Chloramine Being Used?
Chloramine is being used to reduce the byproducts of chlorine and carry the chlorine through the longest distribution lines.
Why are Chloramines a Problem?
In recent studies funded and conducted by the EPA, scientists have discovered many by-products of chloramines that are cytotoxic (damages cells) and genotoxic (damages DNA).
Who is affected by Chloramines locally?
Affected areas are the West Shore Regional and Silver Springs service area of Pennsylvania American Water Company .
What are the alternatives?
Effective alternatives to chloramines will vary with the type and quality of source water, size and capability of the treatment plant.
What are DEP, EPA and PAWC telling you?
They talk about the BYPRODUCTS of chlorine and how dangerous they are and they talk about how safe chloramines are. They WILL NOT talk about the byproducts of chloramines.