Clean Drinking Water a Major Concern

Duane Moser, an assistant research professor with Desert Research Institute, collects water samples from the Las Vegas Wash in Henderson, Nev., Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

A recent Gallup Poll indicates that Americans are more concerned about pollution of drinking water than global warming - and Gallup conducted this poll before the AP released its report on pharmaceuticals in drinking water that we told you about earlier. (see Drugs in Your Drinking Water)

Are you concerned about your drinking water? If so, there's some good information available in the Frequently Asked Questions section of the EPA's website. You could start there, but you may not find all the information you need to allay your concerns.

In a story from USA Today on the tap water issue, the AP reported that "Most Americans probably think they have a good idea of what's being detected in their water. Federal law requires water providers to distribute annual "consumer confidence reports" that reveal levels of regulated contaminants. Providers are not, however, required to tell people if they find a contaminant that is not on a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency list. And there are no pharmaceuticals on the EPA list."

The answer may be to have your water tested yourself. If you're on private well water this will definitely be the way to go - nobody else is watching that for you. The good news is that the California Department of Health certifies laboratories for both chemical and biological testing of water. We've found a few labs on the CDH list that are located in the Napa or Sonoma area, and we've listed them below. There are a lot more labs on the approved list. For more information, log onto www.cdph.ca.gov.

ANALYTICAL SCIENCES, INC.
110 LIBERTY STREET
PETALUMA, CA 94952
(707) 769-3128
ELAP certificate #2303, expires 4/30/2010
Tests in the following categories: 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 107, 108, 109, 114, 115, 116, 117, 120, 126 (see below)

BRELJE AND RACE LABORATORIES, INC.
425 SOUTH E STREET
SANTA ROSA CA 95404
(707) 544-8807
ELAP certificate #1243, expires 7/31/2008
Tests in the following categories: 101, 102, 103, 104, 107, 108, 109, 113, 126

CALTEST ANALYTICAL LABORATORY
1885 NORTH KELLY ROAD
NAPA 94558
(707) 258-4000
ELAP certificate #1664, expires 11/30/2009
Tests in the following categories: 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 107, 110, 126

K PRIME, INC.
3621 WESTWIND BOULEVARD
SANTA ROSA 95403
(707) 527-7574
ELAP certificate #1532, expires 5/31/2009
Tests in the following categories: 103, 108, 109, 114, 115, 116, 117

BACE ANALYTICAL AND FIELD SERVICES, INC.
5468 SKYLANE BLVD., SUITE 104
SANTA ROSA 95403
(707) 687-2070
ELAP certificate #2639, expires 11/30/2009
Tests for volatile and semi-volatile organic chemistry of hazardous waste.

The laboratories are certified in one or more of the following Fields of Testing:

• 101 - Microbiology of Drinking Water
• 102 - Inorganic Chemistry of Drinking Water
• 103 - Toxic Chemical Elements of Drinking Water
• 104 - Volatile Organic Chemistry of Drinking Water
• 105 - Semi-volatile Organic Chemistry of Drinking Water
• 107 - Microbiology of Wastewater
• 108 - Inorganic Chemistry of Wastewater
• 109 - Toxic Chemical Elements of Wastewater
• 110 - Volatile Organic Chemistry of Wastewater
• 113 - Whole Effluent Toxicity of Wastewater
• 114 - Inorganic Chemistry & Toxic Chemical Elements of Hazardous Waste
• 115 - Extraction Test of Hazardous Waste
• 116 - Volatile Organic Chemistry of Hazardous Waste
• 117 - Semi-volatile Organic Chemistry of Hazardous Waste
• 120 - Physical Properties of Hazardous Waste
• 126 - Microbiology of Recreational Water

So if you have concerns about the quality of your drinking water - and you're wondering just what the heck is in it beyond what your water supplier tests for and reports, your own test with a private lab might just be the ticket. After testing your water, if you'd like to find out the options for filtering household water, that's where we can help. Call the office at 707-996-8683 and we'd be glad to give you more information. You can also read our other posts on water filtration here.

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Boden Plumbing primarily serves Sonoma Valley, Napa Valley, and the Petaluma area. We provide a full range of residential plumbing repairs and services.
866-663-7477
www.nodrips.com

Shaken but not Stirred?

(Photo credit: USGS)
Loma Prieta, California, Earthquake October 17, 1989. San Francisco. An automobile lies crushed under the third story of this apartment building in the Marina District. The ground levels are no longer visible because of structural failure and sinking due to liquefaction.

We started gathering info for this post before news of China's devastating quake hit the wire on Monday. We thought maybe everyone could use a little reminder that earthquakes are a fact of life in California, and that it's important to be prepared. We've all been doubly reminded now.

If you're like an awful lot of people, you are not ready for a major earthquake. Even though many of us experienced the Loma Prieta quake in 1989, we don't have our emergency stash of water, tinned food, and batteries. We haven't gotten around to formulating a little plan for checking in with family and neighbors. And we haven't had a gas shut-off valve installed on our home or business.

We've been shaken any number of times, but still not stirred to action.

Take the latest reminder as the last one you need to improve your preparedness. Reports from the U.S. Geological Survey indicate that there is no question that the Bay Area will have a major earthquake at some point during the next thirty years. (See Senator Boxer's newsletter for details.) It may not be tomorrow - but it could be. Don't be lulled into inaction by the 30-year window, because for every day the big one doesn't come, its inevitability is underscored.

We are fortunate in that construction improvements over the years and mandated engineering safeguards mean that structural failures are less likely than they once were. Fires fed by ruptured gas lines remain a big concern, however. To minimize the danger from fire at your home, have a gas shut-off valve installed. It's a simple install and a reasonable expense, especially considering the benefits gained.

Questions? Need more info? Call us here at the office, we'd be glad to pass on what we know - or come out and take a look at the set-up at your house and recommend the valve that would work best for you. We're here, give us a call: 996 8683.

:: Senator Boxer's newsletter
:: FEMA recommendations

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Boden Plumbing primarily serves Sonoma Valley, Napa Valley, and the Petaluma area. We provide a full range of residential plumbing repairs and services.
866-663-7477
www.nodrips.com

Bathroom Reading

C'mon admit it. You read in the bathroom. You know it, we know it and the American people know it.

We also know that many a good book has been warped and smudged beyond recognition because it was taken into the tub with someone. (What did you tell the lady at the library?)

So given the reality of the situation, we thought we'd step up and help you make the best use of your bathroom time (besides making sure those faucets, drains and whatnot work smoothly, that is) by recommending a good title when we run across one.

Today's suggestion is one we just came across, although it's a book that's been out a couple of years. It's called Flushed, and it was written by W. Hodding Carter. If you'd like a little background on Carter (yes, he is the son of the other Hodding Carter), there's an interview with him here. It's interesting. Of course we're bringing this title to your attention because the subject is near and dear to our hearts, but the description and reviews at the Amazon link provided above should reassure you that it's both an informative and light hearted read. Flushed is not just for the dweeby plumber who can't resist taking his work home with him.

For a few more ideas, check out Boden Plumbing's official bathroom reading list. (Suggestions and recommendations are welcome!)

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Boden Plumbing primarily serves Sonoma Valley, Napa Valley, and the Petaluma area. We provide a full range of residential plumbing repairs and services.
866-663-7477
www.nodrips.com

Boden Plumbing Now Certified for Backflow

On April 9th, Casey Boden became certified to test and repair backflow prevention valves. Since then he has been busy checking valves all around Sonoma Valley.

The Valley of the Moon Water District and the City of Sonoma Public Works Department require yearly evaluation of all backflow valves that have been installed to prevent irrigation, fire sprinkler, well or other private-side water from mixing with the municipal water supply. These tests must be performed by someone who has been certified to work on backflow prevention valves.

If you've received a notice that your test is soon due, give us a call. We'd be glad to help you out - or give you more information. 707 996 8683

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Boden Plumbing primarily serves Sonoma Valley, Napa Valley, and the Petaluma area. We provide a full range of residential plumbing repairs and services.
866-663-7477
www.nodrips.com