Water Rationing Could Be in the Forecast for Sonoma County

Remember that? It's called R-A-I-N. It's very wet and totally necessary. We haven't had much of it at all here in Northern California this winter, and the water managers are starting to sweat. (Hmmm...too bad you can't capture some of that for future use. See Dune or Space Plumbers for more ideas along this line.)

Anyway, it seems it's time to start preparing ourselves for the possibility of mandatory water rationing later this year. Yesterday's Press Democrat ran an article about it (Mandatory water rationing possible, by Robert Digitale), and the outlook is not good. In fact, according to Brad Sherwood, a spokesman for the Sonoma County Water Agency who is quoted in the article, “It’s looking horrible, disastrous actually.”

It sounds like rationing is not simply a possibility but is inevitable.

Hopefully, you've already updated at least some of the fixtures in your home to water-saving models. If you still have any of the old 3.5gpf - or even 5gpf - toilets, you really have got to get with the program. The County still has a rebate program to make it easier on the pocketbook to change those out. Napa County, same thing, there is a rebate program to help you get those water wasters out of the house.

If you have outside irrigation lines, it's good to have a shut-off between the outside water and the house supply in case we are asked to eliminate outside water use. That also helps if you spring a leak outside and need to get that water shut down without affecting water supply inside.

Think about it. There are all kinds of things we should be doing as a matter of course to use water most efficiently.

Aside from all that? Pray for rain!







(both photos by way of Wikimedia Commons)


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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

Chlorine in Drinking Water - A Necessary Evil?

We're fortunate in the U.S. in that the vast majority of us have access to clean inexpensive drinking water. Billions of other people around the world are not so fortunate. (see UNICEF's TAP Project to learn more...)

One thing we don't seem so sure of anymore, however, is whether or not that drinking water is safe. (see our earlier post Clean Drinking Water a Major Concern) Disinfectants are added to water to eliminate water-borne diseases like cholera, dysentery and typhoid - so it's potable and obviously relatively safe considering what many other people have to drink. But what about the chemicals used to disinfect that water?

Chlorine is a fact of life in municipal water, and while it might be an important step in removing dangerous pathogens from the general water supply, it turns out it’s not something you want to take in on a regular basis once that water gets to your home. Studies now link increased cancer rates to drinking chlorinated water, and there are other health concerns as well. (See links at the bottom of this post for more info.) And it's not just about drinking chlorinated water. Over 60% of the chlorine and other impurities that you take in from your water come through your skin while bathing or showering. Plus, during showering your lungs are rapidly absorbing the chlorine as well.

The Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA), the primary water wholesaler for Sonoma and Marin counties, adds chlorine as a disinfectant and also pH balances the water*. The water companies that receive the wholesale water from SCWA may or may not do additional things to treat the water before they deliver it to their customers. Check with your supplier if you want to know specifics (some links below).

Another concern with treated water are the byproducts of disinfection. Disinfection byproducts are compounds that form when chlorine or bromine disinfectants mix with naturally occurring organic material in the water.

The disinfection byproducts that occur most frequently are trihalomethanes or THMs. According to the EPA, "Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of EPA's standard over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous systems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer." According to the Valley of the Moon Water District (a major water supplier in Sonoma Valley), "The federal standard for THMs is 80 ug/L (micrograms per liter, or parts per billion), while the THM count in VOMWD's water averages 17 ug/L."

So that's a good thing - that these chemicals are regulated and that VOMWD water falls well below the allowable limit, although given what we do know about these substances many people still choose to limit their exposure as much as possible by filtering their water prior to consumption.

Granular activated carbon systems and ozonation prove effective in removing these types of chemicals from water. Reverse osmosis is also good but wastes a lot of water in the process and just releases the contaminants again in the discharge water. If you don't already have a home filtration system and you're concerned about your water quality, you might want to look into the various options. Studies indicate water filtration can help.

If you have any questions about installation of point-of-use or whole-house water filtration systems, give us a call here at the shop (707 996 8683). We'd be happy to give you more information. You can also go to the link on our main website for info on the Nature's Miracle whole-house system we feature. And you can read all our blog posts on water filtration here.

If you live in the North Bay area (Sonoma or Napa counties) and you'd like to have your water tested, there is info on testing facilities in the area at Clean Drinking Water a Major Concern.

:: Valley of the Moon Water District
:: City of Napa Water Quality
:: City of Petaluma Water Resources & Conservation
:: City of Sonoma - no online info available. Call City Hall at 707 938 3681.

:: The Water Geeks
:: Chlorine in tap water 'nearly doubles the risk of birth defects'
:: The Potential Health Risks of Municipal Water
:: Drinking Water Disinfection from American Chemistry Council
:: Municipal Water Safety & Drinking Water Safety
:: Chloramine or Chlorine in Drinking Water?
:: Chlorine, Cancer, and Heart Disease

*re: ph balancing water "Municipal water is often pH-adjusted, in order to prevent corrosion from pipes and to prevent dissolution of lead into water supplies. During water treatment pH adjustments may also be required. The pH is brought up or down through addition of basics or acids. An example of lowering the pH is the addition of hydrogen chloride, in case of a basic liquid. An example of bringing up the pH is the addition of natrium (sodium) hydroxide, in case of an acidic liquid. The pH will be converted to approximately seven to seven and a half, after addition of certain concentrations of acids or basics. The concentration of the substance and the kind of substance that is added, depend upon the necessary decrease or increase of the pH." (source: www.lenntech.com)


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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

Could Your Water Heater Use a Tune Up?

Most water heater manufacturers recommend draining & flushing your water heater tank once a year - or every 6 months in hard water areas. This helps remove sediment and minerals that collect on the bottom of the tank.

And it is a pretty good idea to periodically remove any gunge from the tank. This sediment "sludge" can cause a few problems like discoloration of your hot water and a reduction of the efficiency of your heater. The sediment can also react with the chlorine in the water to produce an unhealthy hot water supply.

Tip: Draining your hot water heater tank on a regular basis can save money and improve on the longevity of the tank.

If your hot water heater is old, it might be best not to drain it as this could cause problems with leaking at the drain spigot. Also, if sediment is a serious problem, you might need to consider steps to eliminate sediment from the house water supply.

The following advice comes courtesy of Maytag...

The steps to drain and flush the tank apply to both electric and gas hot water heaters:

1. Turn off the water supply to the heater.
2. Turn off the power to the heater at the main service entrance (circuit breaker or fuse box). Turn off the gas at the main supply line.
3. Place a water bucket or attach a garden hose (if a floor drain is available) to the drain valve of the heater which is positioned at the bottom of the heater. Run the other end of the hose into the floor drain.
4. Turn on a hot water faucet to allow air to replace draining water.
5. Open the drain valve and drain a few gallons of water from the heater tank. If you use a bucket to catch the water, turn off the water at the drain valve while emptying the bucket.
6. Close the drain valve and turn on the water supply while leaving a hot water faucet open. When water starts coming out of the faucet, the tank is full.
7. Repeat, as necessary, until water runs clear.
8. Turn on power/gas supply.

Could you use a visual? There's a video on This Old House website that might help.

If you're still not confident about attempting this yourself - or you just don't have the time - give us a call. We can drain and inspect your water heater for you.

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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

Do You Know Why You're "Living with a Drip?"

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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 says Go Green Sonoma

Sonoma Valley is a nice place - so is Petaluma and Napa for that matter, and we at Boden Plumbing think there are simple but important things we all can do to keep them that way.

That's why Terry Boden has gotten involved with GreenPlumbersUSA. In fact, Boden Plumbing is now accredited with GreenPlumbersUSA, and we're going gung ho to help our customers use water and energy efficiently.

One way to make a start is to take the h2ouse home tour. When it comes time to replace fixtures and appliances, it really pays to choose replacements that work on multiple levels - for you, your budget and the environment.

But it's not only about replacing things. Maintenance is just as important, if not more so. Well maintained fixtures and appliances last longer, which means more value to you in the long run and less stuff ending up in the landfill. Plus, when working properly, they don't leak or use extra power to operate.

Think about it. Even the smallest gestures add up. With everyone working towards the same goal in whatever capacity is appropriate or possible, we're thinking we can all look forward to a green Sonoma, Napa and Petaluma for a long time to come.

:: US plumbers follow lead from Down Under
:: US EPA WaterSense program
:: Alliance for Water Efficiency
:: Water Conservation and Energy Links from GreenPlumbers USA.

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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

Winterize Plumbing - even in Sonoma

Last January Sonoma Valley had a cold snap that lasted for awhile. Well, compared to what we're used to here in the Bay Area it seemed like it lasted for awhile...

Anyway, Sonoma might not be Buffalo, but it does get cold enough to freeze - and burst - outside water pipes. Now is a good time to make sure your pipes are protected.

Tip: Always do this before 8 p.m. the night a freeze is forecast. Otherwise Friedman's will be closed, and you'll be running around looking for MacGyver tape and old blankets. It will be cold and dark, and you will get annoyed with yourself. You might even kick the dog. And we can't have any of that.

So before you get all caught up in holiday hoopla, set aside time to assess the state of your outdoor pipes. Check existing insulation and replace any damaged or missing bits. Cover any pipes that haven't yet been insulated. Go ahead and put away your garden hoses for the winter and cover outdoor hose bibbs. There are inexpensive insulated foam covers available that just screw on over the faucet.

If you happen to have a valve that shuts off water to your outside faucets, you can easily shut down all of them at once. Then open the faucets outside to allow any water in the pipe to drip out.

Important: Don't forget your pool or hot tub. While you might very well leave the water in your pool or spa through the winter months, there may be plumbing leading to it that should be insulated. Check it out - just to be sure.

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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

Sonoma Valley Water Supply Questioned

Fourteen local conservation groups have argued successfully to the Sonoma County Superior Court that the Sonoma County Water Agencey (SCWA) essentially over estimated supply and under estimated demand when formulating its Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP).

In his ruling, Superior Court Judge Gary Nadler wrote, “While the UWMP identified a potential water shortfall by 2020, it relies on certain assumptions including constructing facilities for transporting the water; that Endangered Species Act considerations for salmonids would not present a problem, and that necessary licenses necessary to meet the shortfall will be obtained.”

You can read more background on the issue in this week's Sonoma Valley Sun article, Water agency plan under fire.

In response to the ruling and the resulting question mark hanging over Valley water supplies, then Sonoma Mayor Joanne Sanders called a meeting for Wednesday, December 10, at 6 p.m. at the Sonoma Community Center, 276 E. Napa St., Sonoma.

The meeting is billed as a Water Study Session of the City Council, Planning Commission and Community Services and Environment Commission. City staff and the SCWA will be presenting information regarding the water system and supply, demand projections, and water planning and development issues. Show up and be heard - or at least be informed.

And then...? Due diligence - get your water conservation mojo going!

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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