Combination RO/UF System

After yesterday’s posting about perchlorates in drinking water, we fully expected to receive the following question… and we thank you for not disappointing us!

A concerned parent from any area just outside of what sounds like a military firing range wrote in this morning and asked whether or not installing a reverse osmosis water filtration systems will allow her to effectively remove all perchlorates from her water.

We wish MORE concerned parents would take more of an interest in the quality of water they allow their children to drink!

We live live near a military base where they always blow stuff up and so the perchlorates could get in my water if what i read is true. If so, then reverse osmosis water filters will take them all out, right? We just had a new baby girl and we don’t want to take any chances! Thanks!

We will begin by saying that the USEPA has set the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for perchlorates at 6 micrograms per liter (0.006 mg/L or ppm) and that quality reverse osmosis water systems will reduce perchlorate concentrations in drinking water to levels below 0.006 ppm.

In other words, even the best reverse osmosis systems will not completely remove perchlorates from drinking water… but that does NOT mean you should ignore their presence!

Those who live in areas that have been contaminated should definitely install a water filter capable of removing perchlorate, probably some type of reverse osmosis filter. These filters won’t remove all of the perchlorate, but it is best to reduce the amount of perchlorate to the extent possible. … Needless to say, those with children attending schools that use water contaminated with perchlorate should take action to demand that the schools install proper filters, too, as drinking perchlorate-contaminated water could cause developmental delays in children, according to Dr. Power. ( source )

So… should you even bother installing a reverse osmosis water filter if a certified laboratory such as National Testing Laboratories informs you that your water contains perchlorates?

Absolutely! Getting rid of some unwanted contaminants will ALWAYS make more sense than allowing them to remain in your drinking water… for you and your family to ingest.

Selecting a reverse osmosis system

Start your process by testing your water and finding out what exactly you need to get rid of before you even think about what system to buy — else risk investing, and we did say investing, in a water filtration system that won’t get rid of the contaminants in your water.

Once you know what to get rid of, you will then know what filtration products to focus on and have the ability to compare the filtering capabilities of various water filter systems against the list of contaminants found in your water.

Folks in Barstow, CA recently received news that drinking water in their area contains unsafe levels of perchlorates, an inorganic compound used in rocket fuel, fireworks, various types of explosives, flares and matches.

The news prompted restaurants to close because they had no water to cook with and residents rushed out to snatch up bottled water from any store in the area that still had any left.

What harm do perchlorates cause?

In simple terms, perchlorates interfere with the thyroid gland’s ability to absorb iodine, a necessary element for healthy thyroid activity.

Reduced production of certain hormones by the thyroid can have adverse effects on the growth and development of fetuses, infants and young children.

Adults, especially women who smoke, suffer from the effects of perchlorate exposure in the form of altered metabolic rates and metabolic processes.

Testing for perchlorates?

Most people will never have a need to test for perchlorates but for the unfortunate few who do find themselves in need of perchlorate testing, they will need to seek the assistance of a certified water testing laboratory such as National Testing Laboratories because no simple, at-home test kits for perchlorates exist.

National Testing Labs performs perchlorate testing, but not as part of their ‘standard testing packages for homeowners’. Individuals interested in perchlorate testing should call 800-458-3330 and ask for information on submitting a sample of water for perchlorate testing — which will run approximately $125 per sample and take between 10 and 15 days to complete.

You mentioned standard testing packages for homeowners…

Yes, we did mention those test kits — and we did it for a reason. Too many people do NOT know that they have fast, convenient and accredited water testing services at their disposal… so they keep putting off getting their water tested and in doing so they potentially, and quite unnecessarily, leave themselves vulnerable to any and all potential contaminants in their water.

National Testing Labs 27 Parameter Test Kit

National Testing Labs 83 Parameter Test Kit

National Testing Labs 97 Parameter Test Kit

]]> http://watertestingblog.com/2010/11/24/perchlorates-found-in-drinking-water/feed/ 0 http://watertestingblog.com/2010/06/03/question-when-should-i-change-my-ro-filter/ http://watertestingblog.com/2010/06/03/question-when-should-i-change-my-ro-filter/#respond Thu, 03 Jun 2010 13:03:10 +0000 http://watertestingblog.com/?p=1658 Yesterday we talked about a device called the FM-2 Water Filter Monitor which uses 5 timers and a ‘volumizer’ to keep track of how long water filters have stayed in use.

Today we want to show you a quick and easy way to check the efficiency of your reverse osmosis water filtration system: The AP-1 AquaPro TDS/Temperature Meter makes checking to see if your reverse osmosis filter works properly a quick and painless process.

Simply test the TDS level of water before the filter and after the filter. If you do NOT see the TDS level drop dramatically after the filter, you have a problem with the filter system… and most likely need to change the RO filter.

Benefits and features of the AP-1 AquaPro TDS/Temperature Meter include:

• AP1 Measures TDS (total dissolved solids) and temperature
• Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC).
• Water resistant housing.
• Measuring range: 0-5000 ppm (parts per million)
• Digital calibration via push button.
• Auto-off and data holding functions. Low battery indicator
• Large and easy to read LCD display includes simultaneous TDS and temperature reading
• Comes factory calibrated with 342 ppm NaCl solution.

Throw in the fact that the meter costs less than $30 at FilterWater.Com, a leading online distributor of water quality filters and drinking water test kits, and you have found yourself an easy and inexpensive way to test the working status of your reverse osmosis water filter system.