What is a Boil Water Advisory (BWA)? Boil Water Advisories are often issued by water municipalities when damage occurs to a water line or parts of the main water distribution system. These alerts are also issued for a loss in water pressure, allowing bacteria to backwash into the water pipes. Minerals and viruses like E….
Stormwater Runoff – The Impact It Has On Our Environment and What You Can Do About It
In urban and suburban areas, much of the land surface is covered by buildings and pavement, which do not allow rain and snowmelt to soak into the ground. Instead, most developed areas rely on storm drains to carry large amounts of runoff from roofs and paved areas to nearby waterways. The stormwater runoff carries pollutants such as oil, dirt, chemicals, and lawn…
The PFOS/PFOA Water Contamination Crisis
The existence of Perfluorinated Chemicals and Perfluorooctanoic Acid in drinking water has increased at an alarming rate. Water contamination has turned into a critical issue that can’t be overlooked any more. What are PFOS/PFOA’s? The existence of Perfluorinated Chemicals and Perfluorooctanoic Acid in drinking water has increased in an alarming rate. The origin…
Radon is a radioactive gas that has no color, odor, or taste. It is found naturally in the soil in some places, and comes from the breakdown of uranium found naturally in the ground. As this element breaks down, radon gas forms and can easily seep into the air in homes, offices, schools, and any other…
Pharmaceuticals in Drinking Water: Where Do They Come From and What are their Effects?
According to a study released by the Mayo Clinic earlier this year, nearly 70 percent of Americans take some sort of prescription drug. This is up from 48 percent just a few years ago in 2007-2008. As it turns out, the increased popularity of prescription drugs is having an effect on our nation’s water quality….
How Can Tap Water Develop a Smell?
Imagine this scenario: You’re thirsty, so you go to the sink to fill up a glass of water. You casually raise the glass toward your face when all of a sudden… BAM! Your nose is struck with an unpleasant odor. Or even worse, maybe your tap water has always smelled strange and you didn’t know…
Pharmaceutical Drugs in Drinking Water and Their Possible Health Effects
The use of pharmaceutical drugs is on the rise in America. According to the Mayo Clinic, the amount of Americans who take at least one prescription drug rose from 48 percent to 70 percent between 2007 and 2013 alone. One unexpected side effect of this increased usage of pharmaceutical drugs is that they are turning…
Is Chlorinated Water Healthy? Answers for Carolina Homeowners
Chlorine is by far the most common disinfectant used by water treatment plants across the country to treat public water supplies. It has been used for many years, which would lead you to believe that it is safe to consume. But is it possible that adding a chemical to the water you drink doesn’t…
Is Bacteria Lurking in Your Tap Water? Important Info for Homeowners in the Carolinas
Often times, the most we worry about bacteria is when we wash our hands after using the bathroom or handling something like raw meat. But did you know that we can also be exposed to bacteria when using tap water? Today we’re going to talk about some of the types of bacteria that can be…