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NOT ALL Y2K WATER WORRIES SOLVED BY STORING WATER UNDERTREATMENT AND OVERTREATMENT JOIN LIST OF Y2K TAP WATER RISKS, ACCORDING TO NEWLY Released Y2K Report

Story Filed: Monday, December 27, 1999 10:00 AM EST

MINNEAPOLIS, Dec 27, 1999 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The American Red Cross recommends storing one gallon of water per person per day in case drinking water supplies are reduced or cut off due to Y2K malfunctions at public water supplier plants.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991227/MNM001 ) But what happens if a Y2K computer glitch causes the computers at water treatment facilities to add too many chemicals to the water supply? And what if the problem lasts months beyond January 1, 2000?

These are two Y2K tap water concerns raised in a report issued last week by the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Center for Y2K & Society. According to the report, entitled "Y2K Risks in the Water Industry," dangers for public water suppliers in the new year include:

-- A loss of water supply or reduction in water pressure; -- A lack of

adequate drinking water treatment; and,

-- A possible release of chlorine or other treating chemicals from

water

treatment plants. Furthermore, the report reminds citizens that "Y2K problems are not over on January 1, 2000 -- they can occur throughout the year."

"We understand why people would store water as this report recommends," says Kathy Leith, spokeswoman for PUR Drinking Water Systems. "But as an added measure to prepare for potential Y2K problems that may cause an extended interruption or malfunction in drinking water treatment, citizens may want to consider filtering their water at home."

For protection from tap water undertreatment or overtreatment, home-filtering systems represent an efficient solution. Whereas tap water stored at home has a short shelf life (six months), and bottled water can be expensive, home-filtered tap water provides a large supply of water, with reduced levels of contaminants such as Cryptosporidium, lead and chlorine, for just pennies a gallon.

When considering home water filter products, Leith advises buyers to check the label. Not all water filters are the same, so it is important to check which contaminants they remove or reduce before purchasing one.

Leith also advises citizens to consider home water filtering units after the millennium has come and gone. "Y2K bugs aren't the only contaminants that can creep into our tap water," says Leith. "Cryptosporidium, lead and asbestos are things tap water consumers should be wary of year-round."

To access a copy of the "Y2K Risks in the Water Industry" report, visit the Center for Y2K & Society Web site at www.y2kcenter.org/. For more information on safe drinking water, visit the PUR Web site at http://www.purwater.com

PUR Water Filtration Products, located in Minneapolis, Minn., exclusively manufactures water filtration products, such as the PUR Plus Pitcher and the Ultimate Faucet Mount, which remove contaminants such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia and reduce the levels of lead, asbestos, chlorine and sediment. In 1994, PUR introduced a line of products with unique self-monitoring systems that tell consumers when it's time to change the filter. Products within this line include pitcher, dispenser, faucet mount, countertop and undersink units.

-- Homer Beanfang (Bats@inbellfry.com), December 27, 1999

Answers

Which is why you go to www.pwgazette.com order a pair of Sterasyl Candles, a pair of Option C carbon filters and a Style A filter adapter to create a siphon water purifier. Cost with shipping (do it today [monday] and have it Thursday) is US$100 even. Or was a couple weeks ago.

Chuck

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), December 27, 1999.

-- A possible release of chlorine or other treating chemicals from water treatment plants...For protection from tap water undertreatment or overtreatment, home-filtering systems represent an efficient solution.

Somebody correct this if I'm wrong, but I don't think so. As far as I know, there's NO filtration system that will remove excess flourides. If this is correct, be very careful. Flourides are odorless, tasteless and, in excess, very deadly

-- duckinglow (keepway@low.com), December 27, 1999.

Why wouldn't a charcoal filter remove floride?

-- Mara (MaraWayne@aol.com), December 27, 1999.

Nope, a charcoal filter like Brita removes just about everything BUT flouride. Only a reverse-osmosis filter removes flouride.

-- preparing (preparing@home.com), December 27, 1999.

Yes, flouride is ONLY removed by a reverse-osmosis filter. I sell Multipure solid carbon block filters and we used to have a model that removed flouride but it is now impossible to get whatever ingredients that were required to make it.

ALSO BRITA does NOT remove almost everything. It is basically a taste and odor improver. Removes some chlorine and very little of anything else! Don't count on it in good times or bad. Chunks or granules of charcoal do NOT remove a large amount of chemicals, heavy metals, pesticides, etc. Only a solid carbon block and reverse osmosis.

-- Sheri (wncy2k@nccn.net), December 27, 1999.

We use drinking water in our manufacturing process but need to filter even that to achieve the correct grade of purity.We use industrial filters which are fitted onto the incoming main water pipe.Inside the plastic housing is a removable yarn spool about 10 ins long.The whole unit could fit under a kitchen sink.Unfortunately the company is now longer in business but it may well be worth checking out sources of similar industrial filters as you can buy filters for screening out all sorts of chemicals.I paid about 75$ each for ours about 8 years ago.

-- Chris (griffen@globalnet.co.uk), December 27, 1999.

Chuck:

I did the same thing you did, however I bought the Matrix CKX 1 carbon block filter. Depending on your resources you may want to go with two Sterasyls as they are ceramic and if one breaks, you've just lost your water supply. So good to have a backup. If you go this route then order both a style A and style B adapter. I bought 2 of each so if I need I can use my backup filters as a second complete filter system (not a bad idea if you have neighbors that can help you to be able to help them - beats them raiding you).

-- Interested Spectator (is@the_ring.side), December 28, 1999.

Forgot to add that PUR products are ok for camping with one or two people. And their pitcher, like the other pitcher systems are no good for stream and pond water. Basically their products are consumer junk. That's why I'd get an industrial strength product like the Sterasyl + a carbon block. Sterasyl is ceramic and perfect for biological stuff (and it never needs to be replaced) - the carbon gets rid of the chemicals. The Super Sterasyl has both, but uses carbon granuals and needs to be replaced sooner than block carbon.

For flouride, you can get a filter that does get rid of it. Check the filter listing at Pure Water Products:

Filter Cartridge Menu

For the Style A, B and C filters talked about in my last post and Chucks see:

Gravity and Siphon Filters

BTW the Sterasyl or Super Sterasyl are the *same* as used in the biggest Berkefeld products but you don't have to pay for all the fancy stainless steel. Also the largest Berkefeld has 4 9" filters and gives about 30 gal per day (24 hour operation) one of these siphons can give up to 75 gal per day with a Sterasyl or Super Sterasyl even when they are in tandem with a carbon filter. So why waste your money.

-- Interested Spectator (is@the_ring.side), December 28, 1999.

Removes flouride and is only $59 - I don't think so. It says they claim it does. Find NSF documentation. My company told me only reverse osmosis!

Be very careful buying your water filters. It is a little complicated. A lot of illusion and elusion! "Reduces" is a word they use a lot. Demand the documentation showing NSF certification AND charts showing the exact amounts removed. Should be 99.5% or greater removal!

-- Sheri (wncy2k@nccn.net), December 28, 1999.

Brita is nothing. Pur+ better. But they both assume tap water not too bad. You really need something like what Chuck recommended above. I also got some stuff from pwgazette. Good service. Send in your order tonight and hope you get it by the 31st even though they send by Priority Mail.

-- A (A@AisA.com), December 28, 1999.