What is it ?
What is it? Its a video about how sediment builds up in pur public drinking water supplies. Understand the importance of having your potabe water storage tanks inspected and cleaned.
Out of sight and out of mind. The cleaning of water storage tanks remains one of the most overlooked health concerns today. I have been showing this video to every person I can for years. I just cant get to enough water utility managers, water board members, mayors and city council people to make a difference. Information is power, the right people just don’t have the right information to make the right decisions. Everyone is cutting back and it is easy to cut back on a maintenance budget. Tell the water utility manager to do the inspections himself. So year after year the water tank is inspected without seeing the inside floor of the tank. Because a inspection contractor with a underwater camera was not in the budget. So the sediment goes unseen and unnoticed year after year. Inspections and cleanings would only be one or two percent of the budget. But the money never gets allocated because the people in control do not understand the importance of it. Has the economy gets worse fewer tanks will be inspected and cleaned while more and more people will return to drinking tap water.
I need your help.
We have all seen the silly or funny ”viral Videos” that make their way around the world. This one deserves to be shared so that more people who have influence on the way water systems are managed will understand the problem. Tanks need to be inspected, if they are dirty they should be cleaned. It is a very simple message and one that I have spent everything I have made in since 1997 trying to get across to water managers. Please share this video with your friends and encourage them to pass it on to their water utility, city council person or water board. Managers just don’t know what is going on inside their water storage tanks. Having them inspected by a professional with underwater camera equipment will let them know if they have a sediment problem. If they have sediment, removing it is a cost effective way of maintaining the public health of that water system.
Also see our page at www.current.tv just type Ron Perrin into the main page at current or use this link
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http://current.com/users/ronperrin/all/0.htm
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If you do’t know about Current TV it is a cable channel and web site that is viewer created. If your video gets enough votes they put it on TV. My mission is to show as many people as I can the health concerns of sediment in Public Water Supply storage tanks. This would be a great way to get my message to thousands of people at a time. Click on my link below and VOTE me UP! on the right side of the page! By helping to spread this message YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFRENCE! Thanks for your help!
This web site is about spreading this message and educating people about the importance of inspecting and cleaning their water potable storage tanks.
Thanks for your help,
Ron Perrin
Ron Perrin Water Technologies has been inspecting and cleaning potable water storage tanks since 1997. We serve the mid-west and southern United States. For more information see our web site at www.ronperrin.com or
call us toll free at
1-888-481-1768.
Water tank inspection with Diver & ROV
Ron Perrin Water Technologies sample video. Narrated by Ron Perrin.
This video shows a comercial diver inspecting a potable water storage tank. The diver then watches a Remotely Operated Vehicle inspect part of the tank. This video also shows a dive crew cleaning a ground storage tank.
Do you know what a Oocyat is?
Oocyst – An oocyst is the thick-walled spore phase of certain protists (sporozoans), such as Cryptosporidium and Toxoplasma. This state can survive for lengthy periods outside a host and is very resistant.
I know what a Cryptosporidium spore is but I must confess this was the first time I saw Oocyst. So I looked it up on Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The results are posted above. I am in the process of writing a book and I came accross that word in “Final Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule”.
A excerpt of the book is posted below. I want to encorage everyone to use Wikipedia, It is a free site that I use often. They are now taking donations to keep the site free.
Final Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
The LT1ESWTR extends further this necessary protection from Cryptosporidium to communities of fewer than 10,000 persons. Today’s rule for the first time establishes Cryptosporidium control requirements for systems serving less than 10,000 persons by requiring a minimum 2-log removal for Cryptosporidium. The rule also strengthens filter performance requirements to ensure 2-log Cryptosporidium removal, establishes individual filter monitoring to minimize poor performance in individual units, includes Cryptosporidium in the definition of GWUDI, and explicitly considers unfiltered system watershed control provisions.
Twelve waterborne cryptosporidiosis outbreaks have occurred at drinking water systems since 1984 (Craun, 1998; USEPA, 2000a). The largest of the known outbreaks occurred in Milwaukee and was responsible for over 400,000 illnesses and at least 50 deaths (Hoxie, et al., 1997; MacKenzie et al., 1994); other known outbreaks have occurred in smaller communities and have involved many fewer people. An incident such as a rainstorm that flushes many oocysts into the source water or causes a sanitary sewer overflow combined with a water treatment plant upset could allow a large pulse of oocysts to move past the multiple barriers of a water treatment plant.
To read more about the “Final Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule”
See the Fact Sheet at: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/mdbp/lt1eswtr_fact.html or
For general information on the LT1ESWTR, contact the Safe Drinking Water Hotline, at (800) 426-4791, or visit the EPA Safewater website, www.epa.gov/safewater/mdbp/lt1eswtr.html.
For copies of the Federal Registernotice of the final regulation or technical fact sheets, contact the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791. The Safe Drinking Water Hotline is open Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/disinfection/tcr/pdfs/whitepaper_tcr_biofilms.pdf
260 contaminants in water served to the public
Tap water in 42 states is contaminated with more than 140 unregulated chemicals that lack safety standards, according to the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG’s) two-and-a-half year investigation of water suppliers’ tests of the treated tap water served to communities across the country.
In an analysis of more than 22 million tap water quality tests, most of which were required under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, EWG found that water suppliers across the U.S. detected 260 contaminants in water served to the public. One hundred forty-one (141) of these detected chemicals — more than half — are unregulated; public health officials have not set safety standards for these chemicals, even though millions drink them every day.
EWG’s analysis also found over 90 percent compliance with enforceable health standards on the part of the nation’s water utilities, showing a clear commitment to comply with safety standards once they are developed. The problem, however, is EPA’s failure to establish enforceable health standards and monitoring requirements for scores of widespread tap water contaminants. Of the 260 contaminants detected in tap water from 42 states, for only 114 has EPA set enforceable health limits (called Maximum Contaminant Levels, or MCLs), and for 5 others the Agency has set non-enforceable goals called secondary standards. (EPA 2005a). The 141 remaining chemicals without health-based limits contaminate water served to 195,257,000 people in 22,614 communities in 42 states.
Read the full report Here: http://www.ewg.org/tapwater/findings.php
To date only the State of Florida has set standards for cleaning water storage tanks. Not only should standards be set for additional contaminates I thisnk is is just as or pehaps more important that standards be set for keeping tanks clean. At this time it is just not understood how much sediment accumulates in an average water storage tank over a few years. That sediment becomes a habitat where bacteria and other contaminates can thrive.
Once in your tank bacteria can grow rapidly if it finds a place to hide from the treatment chemicals sent to destroy it.
See the video; Bacteria Growth http://current.com/items/89137743_bacteria_growth
The EWG’s report also points out that “90 percent compliance with enforceable health standards on the part of the nation’s water utilities, showing a clear commitment to comply with safety standards.” If standards are put in place giving water utilities a time table that water storage tanks should be cleaned and or inspected the water utilities will comply. For the most part they or the people controling their funds do not understand the improtance of inspection & cleaning.
Even after the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG’s) two-and-a-half year investigation of water suppliers’ tests of the treated tap water served to communities across the country. No one looked at the effects of Sediment in the water storage tanks. It apparently was not an issue, never thought of, the investigation only looked at reports of what the water utilitys found in their systems.
Keeping your water storage tanks clean may be one of the most overlooked maintenance procedures in the water industry. Out of sight and out of mind, sediment in the bottom of your water storage tanks is never seen and rarely thought of.
In 2002 The EPA Office of Ground and Drinking Water issued a paper on distribution systems titled “Health Risk From Microbial Growth and Biofilms in Drinking Water Distribution Systems”. See the link below to read the full report.
That report sited -
Hepatitis A is a primary pathogen that has been documented to survive more than four months in the sediment of a potable water storage tank.
Bacteria, protozoa, and viruses can find sediment in the floor of a water storage tank an inviting habitat.
So if the EPA knows all of this why are most water storage tanks so dirty? Like most thisngs in comes down to MONEY.
If you live in a new progressive community the likelyhood of your water storage tanks being inspected and cleaned on a regular basis is much better than if you are in a older, smaller and les affluent community. If regulations are put into place money would need to follow to allow ecanomically depresed communities to maintain there systems properly.
I have been inspecting and cleaning water storage tanks since 1992. What I have seen is the more ecanomically depresed the community is the more likely they are to need their tanks cleand. They are also more likely to drink more tap water. I would think that the more affluent a community the more bottled water is consumed. So we end up with the people who need clean tap water the most getting it the least. I have found something important to do but I cand only help a very small % on my own. The health concerns associated with sediment in the water supplies are much biger than I am. It is bigger than papers written and published by the EPA detailing the problem. It will take the general public to be concerned and perhaps a little sikened and outraged wouldnt hurt. It will take people like you and me making noise and getting attention on this subject before the proper action will be taken. The Mission of this blog is to make some noise on this subject. Let me know what you think.
If you are interested in this subject there are a few things to do:
Leave a comment: Subscribe to this blog for future updates.
Check out my video site:
http://current.com/people/ronperrin Leave a comment: Vote the VIDEO up so it will make it to to the current cable TV Channel.
The EPA has published many reports on this subject. The work has been done to establish the problem. Its up to us to make sure something gets done about it.
Hope to hear from you soon
Ron Perrin
Additional referenced and papers from the EPA.
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/disinfection/tcr/pdfs/whitepaper_tcr_biofilms.pdf
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/arsenic/pdfs/occurrence.pdf
http://www.epa.gov//safewater/mdbp/word/alter/chapt_2.doc
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/wot/pdfs/book_waterontap_full.pdf
Potable Drinking Water.
Ok for years I have been saying it wrong POT (like a pot on the stove) able. Now, I have been corrected
My company Inspects cleans and Dives in poh-tuh-buh
l Water Tanks.
it is Pronounced [poh-tuh-buhl] [Origin: 1565–75; < LL pōtābilis drinkable, equiv. to L pōtā(re) to drink + -bilis -ble] Old French, from Late Latin pōtābilis, from Latin pōtāre, to drink, from pōtus, a drink Reference: Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) – Cite This Source – po·ta·ble Audio Help [poh-tuh-buhl] Pronunciation Key – Show IPA Pronunciation
Ok, Ive been saying POT-ABLE for so long I think I will just change to DRINKING WATER. My Company
Inspects drinking water tanks with a remote camera, we can identify problems with interior coatings, corrosion and sediment. Sediment in patable water storage systems is a real problem. Sediment can be a habitat for bacteria to grow. Bacteria in a citys drinking water is not usually a good thing. The more sediment in a water storage tank or tower, the more chance there is for bacteria to come into the system, find a place to get a foothold and grow into a problem.
When our inspections find deep sediment in a water storage facility we offer to clean it out using commercial divers. Divers enter the water system wearing a dry suit enclosed in their own enviroment, they are washed down with a chlorine solution meeting AWWA standards. The diver can then remove the sediment without wasting several hundred thousands or even millions of gallons of water. This cleaning process also get the tank cleaner than the traditional method of taking the facility out of service. Everything that is loose on the floor is removed. If the tank is drained the loose semi liquid sediment often compresses into a hard clay like substance making cleaning much more dificult and not nearly as effective. See more about our Inspection and tank cleaning service at www.ronperrin.com .
We are now happy to Inspect and clean Drinking Water Tanks.
Also See our other blog At www.tankdiver.us .
The Drinking Water Project
Photo: Sedement being removed from a potable water storage tank.
DRINKING WATER PROJECT NOTES:
We are currently looking for a Steering Committee to discuss the possibility and merit of forming a Non-Profit Organization. Currently titled “DRINKING WATER PROJECT” : Our current outline in listed below: A non-profit Organization dedicated to the education of potable water hygieneThe importance of INSPECTING AND CLEANING POTABLE WATER The Problem:Municipal water treatment plants in the United States spend millions upon millions of dollars each year to produce clean safe drinkable water. Unfortunately in far too many cases the clean water is then pumped into storage tanks that are rarely if ever cleaned.Sediment build up from inches to feet in the floor of the tank becomes a habitat where bacteria and other contaminates can hide and multiply. Keeping the sediment removed from water storage tanks is often overlooked. Keeping water storage tanks clean should be a standard maintenance procedure. The solution: Education of government officials form public works directors to water board members to the general public. Our Mission: Legislation – Lobbying congress to mandate the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to require all water systems INSPECT THEIR SYSTEMS YEARLY and clean their storage tanks at least once every three years. Program development- Grants – Raise funds to assist rural and under funded systems inspect and clean their water storage systems through grants. Education- Educate the public as to what is in potable water storage tanks across the country and the importance of keeping them clean. Build coalition with other like minded organizations. Educate through - Articles - Direct Mail to public officials - Trade shows & a Speakers Bureau If you would like to be on our steering committee, or you would like to be considered for a board position please e-mail RON PERRIN at ronlooks@aol.com be sure to put DRINKING WATER PROJECT in the subject line.
Have your public water storage tanks been cleaned lately?
Photo: Sediment being removed from Potable Water Storage Tank.
The Threat of Bacteria-
Countless kinds of bacteria can make their way into a public water supply. Chlorine and other treatment methods are our first line of defense. When potable water storage tanks are clean small amounts of bacteria that survive the treatment process cycle through the system undetected and harmless due to the small quantity. Sediment in the tank can capture and harbor these small amounts of bacteria. The bacteria can start to grow hidden from chlorine deep in the sediment. Chlorine can even be overwhelmed and depleted if a nitrate eating bacteria is collected. As the bacteria continues to grow in the sediment month after month and year after year the threat to public health grows.
The Threat of Cryptosporidium
The threat of cryptosporidium outbreak is even greater with sediment in the floor of a water storage tank. Again Sediment can harbor bacteria, cryptosporidium and other contaminates. The best defense to insure a protozoa like cryptosporidium will not take up residence in your water storage system may be to keep the tanks free of sediment. In the Spring of 1993 over 100 people died as a result of a cryptosporidium outbreak that was directly associated with the Howard Avenue Water Purification Plant. This was the largest water born disease ever documented in United States history. It is estimated that over 400,000 people became ill with diarrhea.
Due to the fact that cryptosporidium is a protozoa with a hard shell and not a bacteria the best defense to ensure it will not inhabit your water system is to make sure your water tanks remain sediment free. This will remove and habitat that small amounts bacteria or protozoa could lodge and grow in, Preventing possible public health problem in the most simple way. Keeping water storage tanks clean.
sediment that builds up in almost all potable Sediment build up in potable water tanks can be a habitat for bacteria
Yearly inspections of your potable water storage tanks is the best way to keep up with the sediment levels in your tank. Since 1997 Ron Perrin Water Technologies have served water utility companies. They offer high tech inspections using the latest generation of remotely operated underwater cameras. Comprehensive inspections with NO WATER LOSS and NO Disruption in your service. Our underwater camera gives you a first hand look at your water quality and allows you to make an informed decision on whether the tank should be cleaned or taken out of service for other repairs.
CLEAN YOUR TANKS
Keeping your water storage tanks clean may be one of the most overlooked maintenance procedures in the water industry. Out of sight and out of mind, sediment in the bottom of your water storage tanks is never seen and rarely thought of. The sediment that builds up in almost all potable water tanks can be a habitat for bacteria and other contaminates. Bacteria can get a foothold in the sediment out of reach of the chlorine entering the tank. Hidden in the sediment the bacteria can then grow and flourish creating a health risk. A nitrate eating bacteria can even deplete your chlorine levels leaving you at even greater risk. Removing the sediment and keeping your tank clean is the best way to maintain a healthy water system. Divers wearing a dry suit are sealed in their own environment, they are then washed down with a chlorine solution meeting all State and AWWA requirements. The divers may then enter the water system and vacuum out the sediment. Everything that is loose is removed, allowing the chlorine or other treatment chemicals entering the tank to effectively do its job. This is a much more effective method than the traditional buckets and shovels. We are able to remove ALL loose sediment without scraping shovels on painted surfaces. In addition thereIs minimum water loss with our method, you do not need to DRAIN YOUR TANKS. Call today to learn how we can save you water, time and money while helping you maintain the healthiest water system possible.
1-888-481-1768 Visit www.ronperrin.com
Why is it important to clean potable water tanks?
Cleaning these tanks and towers is important and often overlooked. The photo below is from a July 2007 cleaning of a potable water storage tank. This is public drinking water that goes straight to the tap. With all of the other problems water utility directors face day to day thinking about having the floor of their storage tanks cleaned is often overlooked. In addition in the past it has been a major disruption to water service. The tanks would normally need to be taken out of service drained and then cleaned. Buckets and shovels have often been the primary tools. Today, potable water dive crews can enter the water system wearing a dry suit that keeps the diver in his own environment away from the water. They are able to vacuum the floor of the tank clean removing sediment that may contain or become a future breeding ground for harmful bacteria. See www.ronperrin.com for more information.
How they do it:
Divers wear dry suits so no part of the man is in contact with the water in the system. They are then washed down with a chlorin solution to be in compliance with State and AWWA regulations. Below a diver prepares to enter the water storage tank.
The value of clean public drinking water
By Ron Perrin, Fort Worth Texas
Although we have come to take it for granted, there is nothing as valuable a fresh water. In simple terms it provides life. Our life. Our generation and in many cases for many generations Americans have enjoyed fresh clean healthy water right out of a tap. Getting a drink of water from the kitchen sink or bathroom before you go to bed is something that is seldom thought about. It wasn’t always that way. Here in the west bloody range wars were fought over water rights. Water has been fought over since ancient bible times. In the future many say it will become more valuable than gold because there is only so much on the planet and atmospheric changes could change the amount of h20 that is fresh and consumable.
For now we must maintain what we have, make it last and keep it healthy. That is what this blog is about. Our public water systems are aging. Some modern looking water towers are now 50 years old. All water storage tanks & towers should be inspected yearly to confirm that the inside wter storage area is clean and free from the build up of sediment that can harbor harmful and sometimes deadly contaminates.
I invite you to read these articles about inspecting, cleaning and maintaining water storage tanks. Here you will find ideas and answers of how you can maintain a healthy water system regardless of its age while at the same time saving money, time and possibly more important fresh drinking water. Visit our company web site for more information www.ronperrin.com
Photo: Ron Perrin inspecting a Water Storage Tower in Mission Texas 2004.
Photo: Inspector climbing 750,000 gallon water storage tower.
Diver wearing a Dry suit and Kirby Morgan EXO line air mask is washed down with a chlorine solution before entering the water plant in Arlington, Texas 2007.
Diver with hand held underwater video camera prepares to look for leak in underground tank Waco, Texas 2007.
(c) on dates & times posted By Ron Perrin, Fort Worth Texas
No parts of this blog including article, opinions or photos may be used in any format without written permission of Ron Perrin, Ron Perrin Water Technologies Fort Worth Texas Copyright 2007,2008,2009.
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Recent
- Water tank inspection with Diver & ROV
- Do you know what a Oocyat is?
- Drinking Water Contaminants Posted by EPA
- 260 contaminants in water served to the public
- What is it ?
- Potable Drinking Water.
- The Drinking Water Project
- Have your public water storage tanks been cleaned lately?
- sediment that builds up in almost all potable Sediment build up in potable water tanks can be a habitat for bacteria
- Why is it important to clean potable water tanks?
- See our sample underwater video
- Do You Have a WATER IQ?
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