Air Quality Warning: Minneapolis, MN

Today, December 20, 2007 and tomorrow, December 21, 2007 are Air Alert Days in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region. Light winds overnight have limited pollutant dispersion, and humid conditions and fog have enhanced particle formation in the Twin Cities, resulting in high particle levels this morning. For the rest of the day, light southerly winds ahead of a low pressure system over the northern Rockies will transport additional pollutants and moisture into the Twin Cities. Therefore, AQI levels will be Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. Tomorrow, light to moderate southerly winds ahead of an approaching low pressure system will continue to transport moisture and pollutants into the Twin Cities, keeping AQI levels Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.

Saturday, a low pressure system will move through Minnesota, enhancing mixing and causing gusty winds to develop. These conditions will lower AQI levels to Moderate.

Sunday, moderate northwesterly winds behind the low pressure system will disperse pollutants in Minneapolis, lowering AQI levels to Good.

Monday, surface high pressure over the Twin Cities will lead to light winds in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, allowing pollutants to build up and resulting in Moderate AQI levels.

Tuesday, surface high pressure northeast of the Twin Cities will cause southeasterly winds to develop. These winds will transport some pollutants into the region, keeping AQI levels Moderate.

http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.showlocal&CityID=148

Air Quality Warning: Phoenix, Arizona

The state's air regulatory department issued a heath warning for Tuesday and Wednesday (11/13 - 11/14), anticipating high levels of particulate matter in the air.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality officials suggest people with ususually sensitive breathing issues consider staying indoors or limiting outside exertion. Particulate matter is defined as solid and liquid particles in the air, both from natural and manmade sources. Particles with diameters of less than 10 micrometers, known as PM-10, pose the greatest health risk because they accumulate in respiratory systems.

For more please visit www.azdeq.gov/index.html

Water Warning: Contaminated Water at Dog Beach - San Diego, CA

Warning signs about contaminated water are being posted at Dog Beach near the San Diego River outlet. The contamination was caused by a 5,000 gallon spill at UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest. The spill entered a storm drain that flows into a canyon north of the San Diego River.

More details about the oil spill here - http://www.10news.com/news/14561255/detail.html

Water Warning: Boil Water Order for West Palm Beach, Florida - AGAIN!

After a city worker shut the wrong pump valve, causing the pressure to drop and leaving water vulnerable to contamination, the city was forced to issue a boil water order for West Palm Beach, Mayor Lois Frankel said.

Test results taken on Sunday do not show evidence of contamination but water officials wanted to make sure there was no contamination and that no one would get sick. This is the second boil water order for west palm beach in just over a month.

City officials say the order will most likely be lifted by the end of monday

Water Warning: Boil Water Order for Hyannis, Massachusetts

Hyannis residents are being advised to boil their tap water before using, because of E. coli and coliform bacteria found in the system.

Town officials say routine testing showed the bacteria in a water storage tank.
People are being advised to use boiled or bottled water for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation.

Boiling for at least one minute kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.
E. coli and coliform bacteria indicates the water may be contaminated with animal or human waste. Ingestion can cause diarrhea, nausea and headaches.

Infants, young children, elderly and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to become ill.

Town officials are flushing the system but don't have a timetable for when the water will again be safe for use.

Water Warning: Boil Water Order for Dungannon, Virginia

The Virginia Department of Health in conjunction with the Scott County Health Department and the Town of Dungannon Water System advise residents to use boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking and cooking purposes as a safety precaution. This precaution is necessary because the water system has been taken off-line for repairs, which will result in lower pressures and may allow contaminated water to enter the distribution system.

Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, beverage and food preparation, and making ice until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water. Boiling is the preferred method to assure that the tap water is safe to drink. Bring all tap water to a rolling boil, let it boil for one minute and let it cool before using, or use bottled water.

Residents are advised to turn the power off to water heaters or they may drain and overheat causing permanent damage or fire.

If you cannot boil your tap water:

An alternative purification method for residents without gas or electricity is to use liquid household bleach to disinfect water. The bleach product should be recently purchased, free of additives and scents and should contain a hypochlorite solution of at least 5.25%. Public health officials recommend adding eight drops of bleach (about 1/4 teaspoon) to each gallon of water. The water should be stirred and allowed to stand for at least 30 minutes before use.

Water purification tablets may also be used by following the manufacturer's instructions.

Potable water is available at the Town Hall/Depot from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Elderly or handicapped persons unable to pick up water can call (276) 467-2522 for delivery.

The VDOH will inform residents when they no longer need to boil water. To address the problem, they are locating and reparing a broken water line. Citizens will be notified when the situation is resolved and the water is safe for consumption and use.

For more information contact Ray Blevins, P.O. Box 278, Dungannon, VA 24245, or call (276) 467-2522.

Baltimore Schools Installing Water Coolers to Combat Lead Contamination

After 15 years of trying to remove the lead from public school drinking fountains, the Baltimore school system is choosing instead to install water coolers which will use purified bottled water.

Yesterday's announcement came after the city Health Department discovered that 10 fountains that had passed previous tests still contained unacceptably high levels of lead. Once schools chief Andres Alonso learned that it would be cheaper to provide bottled water to all schools than to continue lead testing, he said, the decision was a "no-brainer".

The Health Department collected water samples last month from 84 randomly selected fountains, all of which had passed previous inspections. While 74 of the fountains had lead levels below the limit of 20 parts per billion, 10 fountains had levels above the maximum allowed.

The 10 fountains, which were immediately turned off, were at four schools: City College, Carver Vocational-Technical High, Frederick Douglass High and Northwood Elementary. All those schools had bottled water already, so officials said students likely were not drinking regularly from the fountains.

For more information click the title link.

Boil Water Order Issued for Leakesville, Mississippi

The state Health Department has issued a boil-water alert for customers who receive their drinking water from the town of Leakesville. This affects about 1,500 customers in the city limits and east of the Chickasawhay River in Leakesville.

Water should be boiled vigorously for at least one minute before it is consumed.

Water system officials told the health department that there was pressure loss from one or more line breaks. When a distribution system loses pressure, contaminants can siphon back into the water.

Public health officials consider any system with pressure loss to be contaminated until tests prove otherwise.

New Deal on Drinking Water Package

AirAndAqua.com has added "The Ultimate Drinking Water Package", it includes (1) AQ-4000 Countertop Drinking Water Filter and (1) AQ-4050 Chrome Under Sink Install Kit! Massive savings off the retail price (Retails for $179.98 - Compare to our price of $135.99, that's $43.99 off!), please visit http://www.airandaqua.com/sunshop/catalog/Ultimate-Drinking-Water-Package-1-55.html for more information

Hawaii Flood Water Contamination Warning

Hawaii State health officials are warning people to stay out of flood waters that may be contaminated from overflowing cesspools, sewer manholes, animal waste, pesticides and flood debris.
People should also stay out of coastal waters that also may be affected by heavy rain, flooding and storm water runoff near stream mouths and drainage ditches, health officials said.

The Wahiawa Wastewater Treatment Plant had 5,000 gallons of sewage overflow and 11,200 more gallons of sewage overflowed from a manhole at Keolu Drive and Hele Street in Kailua.

Officials don't know how much sewage spilled from another overflowing manhole on Olepe Loop near the Waimalu Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Water Warning: Boil Water Order for Wyoming, Michigan

Some people who live in Wyoming will have to boil their water after the city found E-coli and coliform bacteria in a sample.

The sample taken near R.W. Berends Drive on Thursday tested positive for the bacteria Saturday. The city has to let the sample incubate for 48 hours before testing it.

Because of the test results, the City of Wyoming issued a boil water order for residents and businesses in a small section of the city bordered between 44th Street, Burlingame and R.W. Berends Drive.

This also includes all residents living along R.W. Berends Drive.

City officials say the presence of coliform and E-coli bacteria indicates the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. The contamination can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches or other symptoms. They may also pose a health risk for infants, young children and people with severely compromised immune systems.

The city's Utilities Department is collecting other samples for testing and will do that until the tests come back negative, but the boil water order could remain in place until at least Tuesday.

The city has set up a bottled water pickup in the parking lot of the Wyoming Cattle Company Restaurant, near the intersection of R.W. Berends Drive and 44th Street.

For more information about E-coli bacteria, click here.

For more information about the detection and diagnosis of E-coli bacteria, click here.

Water Warning: Ontario Canada Farmers and Milk Consumption

October 29th, 2007

Canoe.ca is reporting that more than HALF of Ontario milk producers are washing equipment with water containing coliform and E. coli in contravention of the Ontario Milk Act regulations. In at least 100 cases across the province, farmers are using untreated water from a river or ditch to rinse off milking equipment. No related illnesses have been confirmed among consumers, most of whom only drink milk after it's pasteurized. Still, it's a milk-safety risk that the Dairy Farmers of Ontario plan to eliminate.

The surprisingly high contamination findings come from four years of testing conducted by DFO (DFO is the producer operated marketing board responsible for distribution of all fluid milk in the province.). Starting sometime in 2008, the board will begin implementing mandatory potable water standards for equipment cleaning under the Canadian Milk Quality Assurance Program.

Some farmers have been frustrated in their attempts to install purification systems, which later failed and are now "sitting idle in a corner of the barn."  The DFO is instructing farmers on water testing, well maintenance, shocking wells, surface water challenges and overall management practices.

No injuries or infections have occurred in this instance but something must be done as it is possible to spread the bacteria through milk!

Re-using Water Bottles Causes Contamination

Many people use the same plastic bottle over and over, trying to save money on buying new bottles. How many of you WASH the bottle before reusing!? Read this article for more on how bottled water can become contaminated

Water Warning: Virginia

Water Warning: Manassas, Virginia

Northern Virginia Drought to Blame for Contamination of Water Supply

October 9th, 2007

The Virginia Department of Health cited the city for reporting too much Trihalomethane in the drinking water last week.

When Trihalomethane is ingested in large quantities for more than three consecutive months, the substance can cause health problems, including illness, and animal testing has shown it can cause cancer. No related problems have been reported from this particular contamination.

Please look into water purification options if you live in this area and have not done so already!

Water Warning: IRAQ

Ex Haliburton Employee Blows Whistle on Water Purification Standards

Something must be done about this. Stay tuned to this site for more information soon.

Florida Water Warning Partially Lifted

Boil Water Order Still in Effect in some Counties

Illegal Laundry Store Pipe Hookup Suspected to be cause of Contamination

October 6th, 2007

The boil-water order was lifted late Friday (October 5th) for Palm Beach, South Palm Beach and all parts of West Palm Beach south of Okeechobee Boulevard. The rest of the city, including all areas north of Okeechobee Boulevard, remain under the boil-water notice until they test negative for fecal contamination for two days.

City officials confirmed that they are investigating Gold Coast Linen Services after discovering that the laundry store had illegally hooked pipes up from their well water to the city's water supply and this is "highly suspected" to be the source of the contamination. Engineers have sealed the Laundry off from the city water supply to prevent further contamination.

Please go to www.sun-sentinel.com to view a local news station video clip and read the full story.

Pennsylvania Water Contamination Warning

Taken from http://www.philly.com

Utility issues warning on its water

Pennsylvania American Water yesterday advised customers in two communities near Norristown to boil their water before drinking, making it the third time in less than three weeks the company issued such a warning.
"It is different this time," said Susan Turcmanovich, spokeswoman for the privately held utility. "At about 5 p.m. last night there was a power glitch at the Norristown booster station."

Story continues at www.AirAndAqua.com

Water Warning - Florida Water Contamination

Experts blame Drought, heavy rains and cracks in aging pipes for recent contaminations of the West Palm Beach Water Supply

October 5th, 2007

West Palm Beach's woes began after routine tests found evidence of coliforms - bacteria found naturally in the environment as well as the digestive tracts of humans and animals.

Mandatory follow-up tests found a narrower subset called fecal coliform bacteria, including E. coli, which provide firmer evidence that animal or human waste may have gotten into the water.

Other possible causes for the outbreak that city officials have stated are Bacterial films, including E. coli, which can thrive in warm water, parts of the pipeline that have low pressure, standing water, runoff water from recent rainfall's drainage or possibly areas where there are low levels of chlorine present in the water.  Human's are not meant to ingest these substances!  Our bodies have just gotten better at fighting them off, why continue ingesting these harmful
substances when we can purify the water ourselves and be ASSURED that our
drinking/bathing water is pure and healthy?

Check Florida Counties for Contamination - www.dep.state.fl.us

Here is some data on skin absorption of dangerous contaminants, taken from

http://www.pristine-water.com/Chlorine%20Hazards.htm

Toxic effect of chlorine skin absorption

Hazards in the bath & shower

Chlorine chemically bonds with proteins in the hair, skin and scalp. Hair can become rough and brittle and lose color. Skin can dry out with itchy, flaky scalp occurring. Chlorine can aggravate sensitive areas in the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. Chlorine combines with organic substances forming Trihalomethanes including Chloroform. The most common volatile compounds found by the EPA in drinking water supplies are: trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, carbon tetrachloride, benzene,1,1,1-trichloroethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, ethylene chloride,1,1 dichloroethylene, bis-1,2-dichloroethylene, vinyl chloride, trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, and trichlorobenzene.

Inhalation

Chlorine, trichloroethylene (TCE), chloroform, benzene and other vapors are readily absorbed through the lungs into the bloodstream. Chloroform (a Trihalomethane or THM) and TCE are two highly volatile toxic chemicals that have been identified in many municipal drinking-water supplies. The National Academy of Sciences has estimated that hundreds of people may die in the U.S. each year from cancers caused by ingesting these contaminants in water. However, the major threat caused by these water toxins is far more likely to be as air pollutants in the home according to a study by Dr. Julian Andelman. He found that in the shower when temperature and chemical concentrations increase and diameter of shower head holes decrease, volatilization increases. His data indicate that hot showers can liberate about 50% of the dissolved chloroform and 80% of the dissolved TCE into the air. Both the heat and the large surface-to-volume ratio of small droplets increase vaporization.

American Journal of Public Health May 84

Science News Sep 86

Pool & Spa News Oct. 86

We will continue to look for news of areas that have posted water warning's recently or even if old warning still exist or have not been improved to a quality standard.

References:
Robert P. King - PalmBeachPost.com

Park Rapids, MN - Boil Water Order Lifted

Park Rapids Water Warning Lifted

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) lifted the boil order on Park Rapids’ municipal drinking water late Monday afternoon.

“Everything’s clean. The tests came back negative,” public works supervisor Scott Burlingame said to the public at a city hall meeting near 3:30 p.m. .  Mayor
Nancy Carroll stated that they will now be chlorinating the water supply in hopes of avoiding any necessity of restricting use of city water in the future.

Hospitals, Schools, Grocery Stores, Restaurants and the city of Park Rapids were all affected by this.  Residents were told to boil the city water before using it for ANYTHING. You can read the full story about this at

http://www.parkrapidsenterprise.com/articles/index.cfm?id=9664&section=homepage

We feel that people should know that this WILL occur and occurs very
frequently with city water supplies (you can do a simple Google search for "city water supply contamination" and come up with over 2 MILLION results!)  All of the schools, hospitals and restaurants (and more importantly your homes and family) could have used a water purification system instead of having to boil all their water or not use any water at all.  You can NEVER be sure of what exactly is in your city water supply, FILTER the water and be safe! 

As professional as I like to keep our reports here at AirAndAqua.com, I can not stress to you enough that in my personal opinion I can not stand city water.  How it tastes.  How it looks.
When you can actually SEE pieces of toilet paper and other waste in your water you know something is just not right!

Do right by your family and for yourself.  FILTER / PURIFY / CLEAN your water ON YOUR OWN, only YOU are to make sure that your families water is safe to drink and stop relying and blindly trusting your city and their water cleaning tactics!  We KNOW what works and want to pass the knowledge on to you, please feel free to browse our Water Information Page for more information on water, what's in it that is so bad and how to get rid of it!

Minnesota Department of Health - Boil Order Information Page

Water Warning: Park Rapids, MN - City Water found to have E-Coli Contamination

Residents urged to boil water (or purify it!)

PARK RAPIDS, Minnesota  - Residents of Park Rapids have been told to boil their water or switch to bottled water for the next few days after E. coli contamination was found in the city's water system. The contamination was discovered Friday, and the Minnesota Department of Health issued the boil order Saturday morning. The city began flushing its water system with chlorine Saturday evening. The Hubbard County sheriff's office told residents not to drink the water without bringing it to a boil for one minute, then letting it cool.  We would like everyone to not have to bother boiling the water when they can just filter the E. Coli out of it!

Officials are looking at a highway construction project as a possible source. Initial tests indicated the contamination happened in the distribution system, not in the city's wells. Officials expected the boil order to remain in place until further notice, likely five to seven days. The City Council and city staff met with state health officials Sunday to discuss corrective actions and decided to permanently chlorinate the city's water system. The presence of E. coli bacteria indicates that water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. The bacteria can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches and other symptoms. People with weakened immune systems are at the highest risk.  Basically when you see little particles floating around in your water, that is toilet paper, feces and other sorts of horribly disgusting (and harmful) factors which NO ONE should ever consume willingly!

Residents in this area are greatly encouraged to look into a home water purification system, if not from us than from another company but it is VITAL to your health to purify your water! Purify Your Life!

Please view our Countertop Water Purification System

New Home Water Test and Analysis Kits Added

We have added two new PurTest products to our site, A home water analysis and test kit and a Pool water test kit. Both extremely affordable, easy to use, quick results (no need to send into a laboratory like most test kits)

About the home water analysis test kit:
The most affordable & reliable comprehensive "all-in-one" home drinking water test kit on the market today. 1 test each for bacteria, lead and pesticide; 2 tests each for iron, hardness, pH, alkalinity, copper, chlorine, nitrate, nitrite.

About the PurPool Pool Water Test Kit:

Quick & Easy Bacteria Test for Pools & Spas - Results in just 20 minutes!

Over 60% of recreational pools and spas tested by the CDC have inadequate disinfection levels. Be safe and test for yourself!

• Convenient, Individual Packages


• No Samples to send in!


• Testing & Results on the spot!


• Provides Peace of Mind


• Procedure - Under 20 minutes, no incubation, On-site, no transit of sample required, No chemicals to add or measure, No power source required


• Readout / Result - Immediate, Visual, No instrumentation


• Applications - Swimming Pools, Spas, Lakes and rivers, Other recreational water venues


• Detection Range - Pseudomonas, Aeromonas, E.coli, species of Salmonella, Shigella, Enterobacter, Klebsiella and many other Coliform and
  non-Coliform bacteria. 10^3 cfu/ml.


• Ruggedness - Water Temperature: 40 - 110 F, pH: 4 - 10, Total Chlorine: 0-50 ppm, Bromine: 0- 40 ppm , 18 month shelf life

The PurPool Bacteria Test for pools and spas is easy enough for anyone to use, and is priced within reach of any pool or spa owner and operator. Until now, the only method of testing for bacteria in a pool or spa was not feasible for most owners and operators. With the PurPool Bacteria Test for pools and spas, water quality/safety should never be left to chance. Until now, pool and spa operators who were concerned about their guests' health had only one option to guarantee the quality of the water in pools and spas: change the water. Without knowing if the water is good or bad, it was simply a shot in the dark. Changing water is a delicate balancing act- unnecessary changes cost money in lost water, heating, and chemicals, and changing too late can result in RWIs among bathers. Regular testing will help pinpoint when is the best time to change water, eliminating guesswork.