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B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc.
Water Testing Kits - Do It Yourself at Home !
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(Official Residential, Commerical Industrial Solutions) *
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Featured Water Test - Waterborne Pathogenic Panel

The most common water quality problems are related to the presence of bacteria, total coliform, iron, manganese, elevated hardness, corrosive water, nitrates, elevated copper or lead, discolored water, odor, and regionally elevated levels of select metals.  Depending on the region and depth of the well or water source, the salinity, chloride, sodium, sulfate, and fluoride content of the water could be a concern.   In rare cases, the problem is associated with cysts, oocysts, or viruses and depending on the surrounding land-use and land-use activities petrochemicals, solvents, surfactants, and industrial chemicals may be an issue.   The most common diseases associated with water quality issues are typically related to diarrhea, dysentery, travelers disease, and other gastrointestinal issues, but there are approximately 80 suspected or known autoimmune disorders that may be related to water quality issues.

Autoimmune diseases are actually very common and directly impact over 23 million Americans. An Autoimmune disease is when the bodies responds to a substance or agent in a way that creates a response where the body actually attacks itself and healthy cells by mistake. At this time, it is not known what causes the over-reaction and in most cases it is likely a combination of factors and not simply just one element or contaminate.

A partial listing of potential agents of concern are as follows:

- Aluminum
- Arsenic
- Bacterial and Viral Infections
- Boron
- Cadmium
- Chromium
- Disinfection By-Products
- Fluoride
- Herbicides and Pesticides
- Iron
- Manganese
- Nickel
- Synthetic Organic Compounds
- Trichloroethylene
- Volatile Organic Compounds

In addition, the lack of particular elements, dehydration, or over-hydration may trigger an autoimmune response. It has been suggested that magnesium deficiency may play a role at creating this trigger.  The primary recommendation would be to be properly hydrated, get your water tested, install water treatment systems (if needed), and seek advice from medical and other experts.   This is one reason we recommend the use of the information water testing program for city water or well water to provide a cost effective method to check the vulnerability of your water source, plus the use of self-monitoring equipment.  In many cases, you may need to conduct air quality or other testing and we would recommend conducting a Community Neighborhood Hazard Inventory Report generated for your residence.   Comprehensive Whole-House Water Treatment Systems the final barrier.   It may be wise to have a Waterborne Pathogen Panel (7 organisms)completed.

Abbreviations: AGI = acute gastrointestinal illness; ARI = acute respiratory illness; Hep = Hepatitis; Other = undefined, illnesses, conditions, or symptoms or symptoms that cannot be categorized as gastrointestinal, respiratory, ear-related, eye-related, skin-related, neurological, hepatitis or caused by leptospirosis.

*Non-recreational waterborne disease outbreaks combines two previously-reported categories, ‘Water Not Intended for Drinking’ and ‘Water of Unknown Intent.’ It includes outbreaks not associated with public or private drinking water systems, as well as outbreaks for which the intended use of the water is not known. It does not include outbreaks associated with recreational water venues (e.g., swimming pools), which are reported separately.

¶ Value was set to missing in reports where zero hospitalizations were reported and the number of people for whom information was available was also zero.

** Value was set to missing in reports where zero deaths were reported and the number of people for whom information was available was also zero.

*** Etiology unidentified: contamination of water with sodium hydroxide suspected based upon incubation period, symptoms, outbreak investigation and laboratory findings.

¶¶¶¶ Multiple water sources within the facility were identified as possible exposures in this outbreak.

Additional References- Autoimmune Disorders and Your Families Health

Training Section

Stream Restoration Training - 6 classes
Online Training - Personal Enrichment
Training Professionals
Drinking Water Treatment (Engineers)
Groundwater Basics
Autoimmune Reading Recommendation (cookbook)
 

By Mr. Brian Oram,  Professional Geologist
B. F. Environmental Consultants Inc.
https://bfenvironmental.com
Water-Research Center
https://water-research.net
Editors
Dr. Sid Halsor, Professional Geologist and
Dr. Brian Redmond,  Professional Geologist
 

Page Sponsor
Recent Sponsors for this Portal
Water Testing Kits - Do It Yourself at Home !
National Testing Labortory - City and
Well Water Testing (Informational Water Testing Kits)
 

The goal of this booklet is to help educate and inform citizens on issues related to water conservation, ensuring that private water supply systems produce safe drinking water for your family, protecting the long-term quality of our streams and drinking water sources, and helping you to understand the potential sources of pollution to our water resources. The booklet provides general information explaining certified water testing, chain-of-custody, and drinking water regulations and standards. It provides information related to the health (primary standards) or aesthetic (secondary standards) concerns for each parameter and provides information on water quality parameters that do not specifically have a drinking water limit.

This reference is intended as a guide to understand water quality by providing guidance on selecting water quality testing parameters for baseline testing from a citizen's perspective and by serving as a tool to help interpret water quality data. In some cases, this document provides guidance on what actions you may want to consider. This booklet is part of the effort to support the Citizens Groundwater and Surface Water Database, a "Grassroots" effort to track change in groundwater quality in Pennsylvania. To learn more about the Citizen Groundwater/ Surface water Database and other Grassroots Efforts, including Free Assistance to PA Private Well Owners, go to https://keystone.carbonwaters.org/
Comments about the New Booklet (unsolicited).

Source:  PA State Representative - " Your Guide very helpfully for me and my constituents who own private wells...  and is an instructive guide to me as a policy maker as I strive to protect our water supply" (October 31, 2012).

From Slatington, PA - Yes- We received , thank you very much.  The information is great! (December 2012).

WOW ! that was fast !! our son has moved in to his house at Harvey's Lake, read the book, and we both learned a lot (December 2012).

Happy new year!  I received your package in the mail today.  You have really developed a wonderful educational guide.  I read the consent form as well and your idea is something I would really like to get behind. (January 2013).

Proceeds for the Sale of the Booklet - Help and Assist with
Local Groundwater Education Outreach Programs
To Order this Booklet Please Go Here
 

This booklet is part of the effort to support the public education, citizen science,
and the health, safety, and welfare of our community.  In addition, we are
encouraging private well owners and city water users to get your water tested,
it is important to Know Your H20 and the Hazards in Your Home and Community.

 

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Other Outreach Efforts

Continuing Education Opportunities for Licensed Professionals
Online Training Programs - Workforce Development/Professionals
Continuing Education for Engineers
Workforce and Technical Training for Energy and Related Fields

 

Total Coliform E. coli. Bacterial Problems Corrosion By-Products (Lead) and Bioslimes (MIC) Corrosion

Learn About Groundwater Quality Dirty Water - Drinking Water Treatment

 

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Water Treatment Systems and Drinking Water Testing Kits

Environmental Education and Outreach - Drinking water testing kits and laboratory analysis services provided by a national testing laboratories or certified/licensed professionals.  The residential drinking water testing program includes analysis for common water quality problems, microbiological contamination, and makes recommendations regarding the potential need for water treatment devices, such as: softeners, reverse osmosis units, distillation, neutralizers, chlorination systems, ultraviolet or UV systems. As part of the Water Research Center continuing efforts of environmental education, we have established an education, water testing, and a self-help program.  Workshops, grant programs, and other events are managed by the Keystone Clean Water Team.

Homeowner Evaluation Programs

For Homeowners ONLY (Not for regulatory use !)
If you are looking for Baseline Testing Related to Natural Gas Development (click here)
Informational Water Testing Program- Low Cost Screening Tests

Self-Monitoring Testing Kits and Meters- screen samples at home.

Homeowner Evaluation Programs

For Homeowners ONLY (Not for regulatory use !)
If you are looking for Baseline Testing Related to Natural Gas Development (click here)
 

Option 1: The Basic Water Chemistry Package and Bacterial Testing - You will be linked to a different web page - then navigate to Product List and Find the Code Sighted in the Link.
 

Quick Bacteria Test (Presence/Absence)- This is a quick test for the presence or absence of Coliform and E. Coli Bacteria. Coliform is an indicator bacteria that public water supplies are required to monitor. The presence of Coliform could indicate the presence of other infection disease causing organisms. If Coliform is present, then we look for E. Coli which is a known pathogen. (order).  More information

First Flush and Flush Lead - The dual lead test will test for the lead content in the water and includes sample containers and testing for a "first draw" and a "flushed" sample. (order).  More information.  
 

Water Check 1 & 2- This testing package covers 22 heavy metals and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, lead, arsenic, and mercury. Additionally, analyzes other inorganic compounds and physical characteristics including nitrate, nitrite, chloride, fluoride, sulfate, alkalinity, pH and hardness.  (order).  More information

Corrosion Check -An informational testing package that was developed for people who are experiencing signs of corrosion in their plumbing fixtures.  This test analyzes contaminants that can specifically affect corrosion.  This package can be used for well water and city water. (order).  More information.

Option 2: Comprehensive Water Testing for Trace Metals and Organics

Watercheck- This informational testing package will check for 83 contaminants in your well water.  These contaminants include Bacteria, (22) Heavy Metals & Minerals, (7) Other Inorganic Chemicals, (5) Physical Characteristics, (4) Trihalomethanes (disinfection by-products) and (47) Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs).  This package works well for well water customers. (order). More information. 

Watercheck with Pesticide Option- This informational testing package will check for 105 contaminants in your well water.  These contaminants include Bacteria, (22) Heavy Metals & Minerals, (7) Other Inorganic Chemicals, (5) Physical Characteristics, (4) Trihalomethanes (disinfection by-products), (47) Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs), and (20) Pesticides, Herbicides and PCBs.  This package works well for well water customers. (Order).  More information. 

The City-Check Basic testing package is for customers on municipal water supplies who are concerned about metals, general water quality, and chlorine and disinfection by-products. The testing includes 32 parameters. (Order). More information.

The City-Check Standard testing package is for customers on municipal water supplies who are concerned about volatile organic compounds . This package includes all of the parameters in City Water Check Basic Package, plus 47 volatile organic compounds. (Order). More Information.
 

The City-Check Deluxe testing package is for customers on municipal water supplies who are concerned about pesticides and herbicides. This package includes everything in the Basic and Standard City-Check testing packages and adds on a list of 20 pesticides, herbicides and PCBs that are tested. Pesticides and herbicides are more likely to be found in water supplies that utilize surface water as a source rather than groundwater, due to run-off from agricultural areas. (Order). More information.
 

Featured Pesticide Testing add on - Glyphosate, it is the most widely used herbicide on the market today, known as Roundup™. Testing for this compound is done using highly sophisticated equipment, which utilized High Performance Liquid Chromatography, so it can be a costly test to run. NTL is pleased to offer an informational test for glyphosate in drinking water at a reduced price. This test would solely look for glyphosate with a detection level of 0.1 mg/L or parts per million.  (Order Kit GLYP). 

Miscellanous Packages
Quick Screen (Iron, Alkalinity, Hardness, pH, and TDS)
Bacteria, Nitrate, Nitrite, Lead, and Turbidity
Bacteria, Nitrate, Nitrite, Lead, and Copper

Option 3: Specialized Bacterial Testing  

Nuisance Bacteria Testing -Homeowners interested in getting their water tested and are experiencing nuisance related problems can have their water tested for specific nuisance related bacteria.  This package is recommended if you want to check the general potability of your water source, plus you are having problems with elevated iron levels, musty odors, or sulfur odors. The cost for the testing is $ 45.00 per bacterial screen or all three tests for a total cost of $ 110.00. The specialized bacterial testing package may include iron reducing bacteria, slime bacteria, and sulfur reducing bacteria.  To request a homeowners water sampling package, please send an email to the address found below and include the following: Name, complete mailing address, email address, and a description of your water supply and possible concerns by email to Request Order Form For Option 3. Please put Water Testing Option 3 in the Subject area.
 

Pathogenic Bacteria Screening - The specialized bacterial testing package that includes a presence/absence test for pathogenic bacteria.  This package is recommended if you want to check the general potability of your water source, plus you are having problems with musty odors, repeated coliform positives, taste problems, or sulfur odors.  The cost of this analysis is only $60.00 per sample and includes a professional evaluation of the results with recommendations. To request a homeowners water sampling package, please send an email to the address found below and include the following: Name, complete mailing address, email address, and a description of your water supply and possible concerns by email to Request Order Form For Option 5. Please put Water Testing Option 5 in Subject area.

Option 4: Radiological Testing Radiological Testing - Uranium, Radon, Radium (More Information).

Radon in Water Testing

The Standard Radiological water testing package includes Uranium, Gross Alpha & Beta and Radon in Water. (Order).  Request information. 

Deluxe Radiological water testing package includes Uranium, Gross Alpha & Beta, Radon and Radium 226 & 228. (Order). Request information.

Special Testing for Designing- Reverse Osmosis Systems 
A comprehensive testing package for city or well water to design a reverse osmosis treatment system. (Order).  More information.  

Option 6: Specialized Pathogen Screening (Waterborne Pathogen PCR Test).
 

Option 7:  In-home Water Testing Kit

Certified Baseline Analysis

Baseline and Certified Water Quality Analysis in Pennsylvania

Baseline and Certified Water Quality Analysis Outside of PA

Education Program 
 

The Water Research Center is making available a number of free informational documents related to common drink water quality issues and problems, such as: Giardia cysts, Cryptosporidium, nitrates, lead, corrosion, bacteria and much more.  Below are three more detailed reports, but more information can be found at the help desk. We are also available conduct Community Based or Regional Water Quality / Private Well Owner Education Programs, Watershed Based Assessments, and aid in Developing Baseline/Regional Testing Programs -schedule a Workshop.  Check out the Keystone Clean Water Team.

The informational documents that are available include:
The Water Library - Pdf files on Water Issues and Topics - A lot of Free Information pdf files, docs and html pages

Report #1: Giardia and Cryptosporidium and Waterborne Disease

Report #2: Nitrates: Health Hazard

Report #3: Lead in Drinking Water

Online Training Courses

Residential Reverse Osmosis System
and Commercial Systems (Seawater)


Commercial Systems, plus Seawater Systems
other Treatment Systems

TRICHLOROETHANE In Drinking Water

This is a factsheet about a chemical that may be found in some public or private drinking water supplies. It may cause health problems if found in amounts greater than the health standard set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Trichloroethane is an organic liquid with a chloroform-like odor. It is only used to make vinylidene chloride or 1,1-Dichloroethene which is in turn used to make synthetic fibers and plastic wraps such as the saran wrap.  In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires EPA to determine safe levels of chemicals in drinking water which do or may cause health problems. These non-enforceable levels, based solely on possible health risks and exposure, are called Maximum Contaminant Level Goals.

The MCLG for 1,1,2-TCE has been set at 3 parts per billion (ppb) because EPA believes this level of protection would not cause any of the potential health problems described below.  The MCL has been set at 5 ppb because EPA believes, given present technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking water.These drinking water standards and the regulations for ensuring these standards are met, are called National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. All public water supplies must abide by these regulations.

What are the Health Effects?

Short-term: EPA has found 1,1,2-TCE to potentially cause the following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: irritation of gastrointestinal tract; red or hemorrhaged lungs; pale liver  Long-term: 1,1,2-TCE has the potential to cause the following effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: damage to liver and kidneys; cancer.

How much 1,1,2-TCE is produced and released to the environment?

An estimated 124 million lbs. of 1,1,2-TCE was produced in the US during 1974, based on the manufacture of vinylidene chloride. It evaporates during its use in the manufacture of vinylidene chloride and as a solvent. It is also released in wastewater from these uses, and in leachates and volatile emissions from landfills. The EPA estimates the gross annual discharge of 1,1,2-TCE waste in the US to be 4 million lbs. From 1987 to 1993, according to EPA's Toxic Chemical Release Inventory, 1,1,2-TCE releases to land and water totaled over 30,000 lbs., of which about 98 percent was to water. These releases were primarily from alkali and chlorine industries. The largest releases occurred in Louisiana and Texas.

What happens to 1,1,2-TCE when it is released to the environment?

When released into water, 1,1,2-TCE should primarily evaporate. In soils, it should partially evaporate and partially leach into the groundwater. Its break down by microbes, if it occurs, is very slow. 1,1,2-TCE shows little tendency to accumulate in aquatic life.

How will 1,1,2-TCE be Detected in and Removed from My Drinking Water?

The regulation for 1,1,2-TCE became effective in 1994. Between 1993 and 1995, EPA required your water supplier to collect water samples every 3 months for one year and analyze them to find out if 1,1,2-TCE is present above 0.5 ppb. If it is present above this level, the system must continue to monitor this contaminant

If contaminant levels are found to be consistently above the MCL, your water supplier must take steps to reduce the amount of 1,1,2-TCE so that it is consistently below that level. The following treatment methods have been approved by EPA for removing 1,1,2-TCE: Granular activated charcoal in combination with Packed Tower Aeration.  

How will I know if 1,1,2-TCE is in my drinking water?

If the levels of 1,1,2-TCE exceed the MCL, 5 ppb, the system must notify the public via newspapers, radio, TV and other means. Additional actions, such as providing alternative drinking water supplies, may be required to prevent serious risks to public health.

Drinking Water Standards:  Get Your Water Tested ! (NTL Partner Site)

Mclg: 3 ppb
Mcl: 5 ppb

Whole House Treatment System

They will be posted here at our New Training Portal
Training Professionals Online Training Courses.