Millions of people across the United States could be drinking water contaminated with dangerous levels of substances created when utilities disinfect water tainted with animal manure and other pollutants. An analysis of testing results from community water systems in 49 states found that nearly 6,000 such systems serving 122 million people recorded an unsafe level of chemicals known as trihalomethanes at least once during testing from 2019 to 2023. The chemicals are byproducts created when Chlorine is used by water systems interact with organic matter, such as decaying leaves, vegetation, human or animal waste and other substances. One or more of these chemicals chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, and bromoform have been linked to various human health risks, including cancers. Texas water systems had the highest prevalence of water systems with unsafe levels of TTHMs, with more than 700 such systems serving over 8.6 million people reporting the contaminants above the EPAs 80 ppb, according tothe reportissued April 10 by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). Manure from factory farms is polluting our water supplies, and when utilities try to make that water safe to drink, they unintentionally create another public health hazard that increases the risk of cancer and birth defects, Anne Schechinger, EWGs Midwest director,said.
Does chlorine produce by-products in drinking water?
When water containing organic matter is treated with chlorine it is possible that small amounts of chemical by-products known as trihalomethanes can be formed.
Many scientific investigations have been conducted around the world over the past 40 years to determine if a health risk exists. To date no conclusive evidence has been found.
-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Thursday 1st of May 2025 12:10:08 PM
Whenarewethere said
07:23 PM May 1, 2025
For about a decade on northern Sydney beaches, I drank water straight from the water tanks. 2 x 5000L, straight from the roof. The best tasting water in Sydney, & Sydney water is pretty good. No filters, possums running across the roof leaving their messages.
Never once got sick.
When we sold our parents house, I happened to run into the Gardner who did all the houses in the street. He was shaking his head that the new owners ripped everything out. & it was beautifully plumbed in.
Sad, but I have to let the problem go. Just how it is.
So don't be too fanatical about the water.
Our issue is more to the point, as long as it makes a nice cup of tea that is the most important issue.
landy said
09:13 PM May 1, 2025
Have to agree with Whenarewethere. Our house runs off 2 x 25000 liter water tanks filled strait from the roof, and piped strait to the tap with nothing added, I drink it every day and never had a problem. a freind used to bring a 20 liter container and ask if he could fill it to take home with him. Landy
-- Edited by landy on Thursday 1st of May 2025 09:14:06 PM
-- Edited by landy on Friday 2nd of May 2025 08:39:32 AM
dogbox said
09:02 AM May 2, 2025
when i was younger i had the opportunity to clean a few water tanks out, if i was a sensitive person it could of put me off water for life.
Peter_n_Margaret said
09:44 AM May 2, 2025
You get used to the untreated water that you drink.
What you drink might make me sick.
Cheers,
Peter
msg said
05:01 PM May 2, 2025
My mother grew up with water tanks and would never drink the water unless it was boiled strained and in a cup of tea. When she moved into town and had town water supply she was ecstatic. untill.... they found a body in the tank and realised she had been drinking the water for a couple of weeks. Me? I use the tank for the garden only. Tap water for everything else and bottled water when I drink only water. (10ltr packs) also good to have some for an emergency.
Brodie Allen said
05:06 PM May 2, 2025
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
A remotely reliable source that any risk exists would help.
Pure click bait scare tactics. There is always a sucker, or 2.
Does chlorine produce by-products in drinking water?
When water containing organic matter is treated with chlorine it is possible that small amounts of chemical by-products known as trihalomethanes can be formed.
Many scientific investigations have been conducted around the world over the past 40 years to determine if a health risk exists. To date no conclusive evidence has been found.
Chlorine still doesn't have the green light for sterilization of water from organic
contaminated sources.
Hydrogen Peroxide still best IMHO, but more expensive. total oxidation and zero residue!
Thousands of Water Systems Across US Have Dangerous Cancer-Causing Chemicals
April 12, 2025, Truthout
https://truthout.org/articles/thousands-of-water-systems-across-us-have...
Millions of people across the United States could be drinking water contaminated with dangerous levels of substances created when utilities disinfect water tainted with animal manure and other pollutants. An analysis of testing results from community water systems in 49 states found that nearly 6,000 such systems serving 122 million people recorded an unsafe level of chemicals known as trihalomethanes at least once during testing from 2019 to 2023. The chemicals are byproducts created when Chlorine is used by water systems interact with organic matter, such as decaying leaves, vegetation, human or animal waste and other substances. One or more of these chemicals chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, and bromoform have been linked to various human health risks, including cancers. Texas water systems had the highest prevalence of water systems with unsafe levels of TTHMs, with more than 700 such systems serving over 8.6 million people reporting the contaminants above the EPAs 80 ppb, according to the report issued April 10 by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). Manure from factory farms is polluting our water supplies, and when utilities try to make that water safe to drink, they unintentionally create another public health hazard that increases the risk of cancer and birth defects, Anne Schechinger, EWGs Midwest director, said.
Note: For more along these lines, read our concise summaries of news articles on health and toxic chemicals.
B
A remotely reliable source that any risk exists would help.
Pure click bait scare tactics. There is always a sucker, or 2.
Dept. of Health WA Govt..... Chlorinated drinking water
Does chlorine produce by-products in drinking water?
When water containing organic matter is treated with chlorine it is possible that small amounts of chemical by-products known as trihalomethanes can be formed.
Many scientific investigations have been conducted around the world over the past 40 years to determine if a health risk exists. To date no conclusive evidence has been found.
Even so, as a precaution, the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (external site) limit the total amount of trihalomethanes in drinking water to no more than 0.25 milligrams per litre.
Cheers,
Peter
-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Thursday 1st of May 2025 12:10:08 PM
For about a decade on northern Sydney beaches, I drank water straight from the water tanks. 2 x 5000L, straight from the roof. The best tasting water in Sydney, & Sydney water is pretty good. No filters, possums running across the roof leaving their messages.
Never once got sick.
When we sold our parents house, I happened to run into the Gardner who did all the houses in the street. He was shaking his head that the new owners ripped everything out. & it was beautifully plumbed in.
Sad, but I have to let the problem go. Just how it is.
So don't be too fanatical about the water.
Our issue is more to the point, as long as it makes a nice cup of tea that is the most important issue.
Landy
-- Edited by landy on Thursday 1st of May 2025 09:14:06 PM
-- Edited by landy on Friday 2nd of May 2025 08:39:32 AM
What you drink might make me sick.
Cheers,
Peter
Of course they wouldn't say otherwise. It would cost squillions to use safer alternatives.
They would never hide the truth - ask the residents of areas surrounding the Williamtown
RAAF base in Williamtown near Newcastle, for one!
I don't care what the general populations have to put up with - but often we more remote
campers have to source water from some very "iffy" ponds streams or private dams.
Even country house tanks are filled with years of collected refuse off roofs and without
regular cleaning of the tanks become heavily polluted. I know - I have one. After 10
years there is 150mm of sludge (broken down organic matter) in the bottom.
Fortunately it is only used for stables but a huge number of rural properties have to make do.
Boiling kills living organisms - what about the chemical residues both before and after?
B
EH????
B