Unsafe chlorine levels have been found in DC water supply
The Environmental Working Group conducted water tests over a 5-day period recently in Washington DC. The tests were done at schools, homes, office buildings, the US Capitol, and the EPA office buildings. The Environmental Working Group, a non-profit agency, tested the waters after a month-long over-chlorination the Washington Aqueduct does annually in hopes of removing sediment and other items from the pipes. Basically, the agency decides to severly over-pollute the water supply with a cancer-causing agent for a month each year in hopes of removing some bad stuff from the pipes.
The tests were done a few days after the end of the “chlorine burn,” and the results were horrible. The associated press reports that unsafe levels of these chlorine pollutants were found in 40 percent of the Washington DC water. The EWG attempted to get the Army Corps of Engineers to take a serious look at the problem, but they feel that the levels of contamination are “probably temporary,” according to Aqueduct General Manager Thomas Jacobus. He says the water currently meets EPA standards because he is allowed to average the contaminant levels throughout the year.
Obviously this kind of problem reflects a nationwide problem with our tap water supply system. Without these agencies watching out for us, we will have to continue to filter the water ourselves using carbon filtration using personal water filters, home filters, and other water filters and water filter products every day. Next time you plan a trip with the kids to go check out the White House, make sure you take your filter bottle!
