Auto news on Youtube Sep 29 2018

Our Water Nerds always welcome your feedback, and we recently got a comment requesting a

video on Texas City, Texas drinking water, so here it is!

Let's start with Disinfection Byproducts or DBPs.

DBPs are formed when chlorine-based disinfectants that are routinely added to the water supply

to kill bacteria, react with organic matter.

According to the 2017 report, Texas City had elevated levels of DBPs.

Concentrations of haloacetic acids reached levels as high as 29.6 parts per billion,

and concentrations of trihalomethanes were detected as high as 57.1 parts per billion.

For a bit of perspective, EPA's maximum contaminant level for haloacetic acids is

60 parts per billion and 80 parts per billion for trihalomethanes.

Health and regulatory agencies have very little knowledge about the adverse health effects

of DBPs, and their toxicity.

EPA has stated that they have been linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer, as

well as kidney, liver, and central nervous system problems.

Several synthetic organic contaminants were also detected in Texas City drinking water,

many of which are pesticides and herbicides.

Endrin, Heptachlor, and Silvex were detected in Texas City drinking water.

These three herbicides and insecticides were banned due to their extreme toxicity and adverse

effects on humans.

Atrazine, Alachlor, Dalapon, Simazine, and Toxaphene were just some of the other insecticides

and pesticides detected in Texas City drinking water which are still being used today.

While most cities use chlorine, Texas City uses both chlorine and chloramine in the disinfection

process.

Chloramine is primarily responsible for what many customers report as the "bad taste"of

tap water.

The high concentration of chloramine detected in Texas City drinking water was 4.1 parts

per billion, and the average concentration was 2.56 parts per billion.

For a bit of perspective, this is on the higher end of federally allowable levels for chloramine.

If you have any questions about this report or anything else water related, drop us a

line at hello@hydroviv.com, or visit hydroviv.com and use our live chat.

Our Water Nerds are based in Washington DC and can answer any questions you have.

Thanks for watching.