M5.4 Blog about your Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR) and water quality
By looking at San Francisco County's consumer confidence report, I was able to learn more about where my drinking water came from and how it is treated. The county's major water source is from Sierra snowmelt flowing down into Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Water is also collected from two local watersheds and surface water. The water arrives to the treatment plant for treatment before reaching the tap. The water is treated in the following ways: ultraviolet light and chlorine disinfection, pH adjustment for optimum corrosion control, fluoridation for dental health protection, and chloramination for maintaining disinfectant residual and minimizing the formation of disinfection of byproducts.
The water quality report from 2017 showed all tested chemicals were within the range of the public health goal. I did not expect to see radioactive contaminants as an expected contaminant in the water. I delved deeper and looked into the lead testing off all SFUSD schools and was shocked to find that my elementary school has found high levels of lead in their water and is currently implementing corrective actions. This is especially alarming because high levels of lead in children have been found to lead to developmental delays and learning difficulties.
I have been drinking more tap water to cut down the use of water bottles. The water I get from the gym and work are filtered. At home, I use a Brita filter. I used to believe that bottled water were 'safer' than tap water but I have learned that this is not the case. Local water that is treated generally goes through more testing than bottle water. However, I tend to only drink bottled water when I travel (even within the US) because I am not aware of the water quality in other cities.
The water quality report from 2017 showed all tested chemicals were within the range of the public health goal. I did not expect to see radioactive contaminants as an expected contaminant in the water. I delved deeper and looked into the lead testing off all SFUSD schools and was shocked to find that my elementary school has found high levels of lead in their water and is currently implementing corrective actions. This is especially alarming because high levels of lead in children have been found to lead to developmental delays and learning difficulties.
I have been drinking more tap water to cut down the use of water bottles. The water I get from the gym and work are filtered. At home, I use a Brita filter. I used to believe that bottled water were 'safer' than tap water but I have learned that this is not the case. Local water that is treated generally goes through more testing than bottle water. However, I tend to only drink bottled water when I travel (even within the US) because I am not aware of the water quality in other cities.
That is crazy to hear about your elementary school! You would assume that a place like that would have strict regulations, especially when it comes to the water. I am happy to hear they are implementing corrective actions though.
ReplyDelete