5.4:CCR

  • What is the source of your drinking water?   Where does your water ORIGINATE?  (It is treated at a water treatment plant, but what watershed or aquifer is the sources of the water?)
There are 2 sources of my drinking water, the Kalihi Pumping Station and Kapalama Wells which originated from groundwater.
  • What chemicals were found in your water that were higher than expected?
There were nothing found to be higher than expected. All the chemicals were lower or within range.
  • What chemicals did you NOT expect to find in your water?
I was not expecting to see chromium in my water. In the report it did not specified what type of chromium because chromium-6 have been linked to cancer and allergic reactions. If it's chromium-3 then it is safe because it is a mineral found in vegetable, fruits, and meat which is an important element in our diet.

  • Are there associated health risks with the chemicals found in your water?  (sources for this last question include the EPA, CDC, ATSDR and the National Library of Medicine's ToxNet program.
Other than what was mentioned above regarding chromium, nitrate is a chemical that is associated with health risk. Nitrate is from fertilizer, human sewage and animal waste. It can contaminate groundwater and a high level of nitrate can cause methemoglobinemia or "blue baby syndrome", which can reduce our blood's ability to carry oxygen and it can be deadly for infants under 6 months old.Nitrate levels are at 2.750 ppm in my water which is reaching the max range of 2.800. It does make sense since my water source originate from groundwater where nitrate is mainly found.
BLOG about your water quality
  • Where does your water come from? The source! Track it from the source to your tap.
The source of my water comes from groundwater that is pump into a pumping stations and taken up in wells which is then delivered to our tap.
  • What did you discover about your water quality?
Based on the water quality report, my water is pretty safe to drink and does not have high levels of dangerous chemicals and contaminants.
  • Do you use a filter for your water?
Although the water in Hawaii are safe to drink straight from the tap, my family does use a filter.
  • What are you trying to filter out?
Our family is very big on drinking tea, and we use the filter to filter out chlorine which may ruin the flavor of the tea. We also use the filter to get rid of lead too.
  • Do you drink bottled water?   How does this square with what you learned when you watched the Story of Bottled Water (see next exercise)?
I only drink bottled water when I go out. After watching Story of Bottled Water, it does make me sad that I have contributed to the trashing of our planet. I am considering getting a hydroflask to reduce the use of water bottle.

Comments

  1. UnknownFebruary 26, 2018 at 12:24 PM

    Hi Feng,

    I think after reading your blog and recently visiting, I need to make a move to Hawaii! It seems like not only the air, but the water quality is great there. Was nitrate something that you found traces of in your water? If so, it must just be a byproduct of the cleaning process - or maybe at the time there just needs to be further inspection!

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownFebruary 26, 2018 at 6:19 PM

    It is worrisome that the CCR does not specify which type of chromium is in your water. Because it is a big difference between chromium 6 and chromium 3. I agree, it is difficult not to get bottled water when I go out in public. But it hurts me even more to think that I am contributing to trashing the planet. A hydroflask would be a very good investment!

    ReplyDelete

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