Analies Ross-Dyjak | Policy Analyst
Hi there, Shark Tank viewers! You saw in our pitch that our Water Nerds examine water quality data before building a customer's system. We wanted to do a deeper dive on each Shark's water. Rohan Oza, our episode's guest Shark, lives in Los Angeles, so here's a breakdown of how we optimize our filters for LA water.
Where Does Los Angeles Source Its Water?
The majority of Los Angeles drinking water comes from the Los Angeles Aqueduct. Other sources include the Colorado River Aqueduct, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, recycled water, local groundwater, and supplemental water purchased from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD).
High Levels Of Chromium 6 In Los Angeles Drinking Water
The movie "Erin Brockovich" came out of Hollywood in the year 2000, yet the chemical at the center of that story is still not regulated. Chromium 6, also known as hexavalent chromium is a highly toxic metal that is known to cause cancer and other adverse health problems in humans. Concentrations average 1,090 parts per trillion in LA water, which is 54 times higher than what's considered to have negligible impact on cancer risk. Chromium 6 is a widespread problem throughout the entire state of California, and many municipalities have levels similar to LA. Unlike lead, which leaches from plumbing, chromium 6 is present in the source water itself, so the only way to get rid of it is by using a system that filters it.
What About Arsenic?
Arsenic is a toxic metal that is known to cause cancer and other health issues. Unlike lead, which distributes into water from plumbing, arsenic comes leaches into the source water itself from weathered bedrock. Federal arsenic standards are extremely lax, and balance toxicity against the costs of removing it from drinking water. The most recent Los Angeles drinking water report detected an average arsenic concentration of 4 parts per billion, but concentrations were detected as high as 5 parts per billion. We highly recommend that anyone with more than 1 part per billion Arsenic in their water take steps to filter it, especially if they have children.
Does LA Have a Lead Problem?
Surprisingly enough, LA has lead concentrations above what health organizations consider to be safe. Lead enters LA tap water through lead service pipes and lead-containing plumbing. 10% of LA water quality samples analyzed for lead in 2017 were over 6.3 parts per billion. Corrosion control mechanisms put in place by municipalities can fail (like what recently happened in Flint, Michigan), causing lead to leach into drinking water. While currently in compliance with very loose federal regulations, EPA and CDC and the American Academy Of Pediatrics acknowledge that there is no safe level of lead for children. Additionally, the city of Los Angeles only tested 103 taps. In a city of over 4 million people, 103 samples is not an accurate representation of the total population.
What Do I Do About Lead Contamination In Los Angeles Drinking Water?
When building filters for Los Angeles residents, we take into account the aging infrastructure in multi-unit buildings. If you don't want to purchase a filter rated for lead removal, federal officials recommend allowing your faucet to run for 2 minutes before drinking or cooking.
Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) In Los Angeles Drinking Water
DBPs are a category of emerging contaminants that form when chlorine-based disinfectants react with naturally-occurring organic matter. Although LA is within poorly regulated federal guidelines, EPA states that exposure to high levels of disinfection byproducts can cause an increased risk of bladder cancer, as well as kidney, liver, and central nervous system problems.
Analies Ross-Dyjak | Policy Analyst
If you caught us on Shark Tank, you'll know that we dig through your water quality data before optimizing your filter. We didn't want to leave the Sharks out of the fun, so we thought we'd do a "deeper dive" on the water the Sharks swim in! This post is all about Mark Cuban's home town of Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, Pittsburgh water has quite a few problems, but don't worry -- we've got you covered, Mark!
Where Does Pittsburgh Water And Sewer Get Its Drinking Water?
Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority sources its drinking water from the Allegheny River. The city treats and delivers 70 million gallons of drinking water to 300,000 customers every day.
Lead In Pittsburgh’s Drinking Water
Pittsburgh has a huge problem with lead contamination in drinking water. Lead enters Pittsburgh's tap water through old lead service pipes and lead-containing plumbing. In June of 2017, 10% of the samples exceeded the Action Level of 15 parts per billion. In December 2017, 10% of the sites exceeded 21 parts per billion, which is significantly higher than EPA’s already low Action Level. Additionally, Pittsburgh inaccurately listed the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) for lead in drinking water. The report listed 15 parts per billion as the MCLG, but Environmental Protection Agency has determined that the MCLG for lead should always be 0 parts per billion. 128 sites were sampled for lead contamination, which doesn’t even begin to accurately represent the 300,000 residents living in Pittsburgh. Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Disease Control, and American Academy of Pediatrics all recognize that there is no safe level of lead for children. Lead exposure can cause developmental issues, lowered IQ, and damages to the kidneys and brain.
How Can I Protect Myself Against Lead Contamination In Pittsburgh's Drinking Water?
When our Water Nerds build filters for Pittsburgh residents, we optimize for "worst case scenario" lead concentrations. If you don't want to purchase a filter with high-capacity lead removal, federal official recommend letting your faucet run for two minutes before drinking or cooking. We also highly recommend taking advantage of Pittsburgh’s free lead testing program! If you are a customer of Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, you can request a free kit by signing up online or by calling 412-255-2423.
Disinfection Byproducts In Pittsburgh’s Drinking Water
In addition to lead contamination being of major concern, Pittsburgh municipal water also has extremely high levels of Disinfection Byproducts or DBPs. DBPs form when disinfecants such as chlorine and chloramine,react with organic matter. DBPs are split into two categories: Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and Haloacetic Acids-5 (HAA5). Concentrations of TTHMs averaged 56.3 parts per billion but were detected as high as 105 parts per billion. Concentrations of HAA5 averaged 18.8 parts per billion but reached levels as high as 36 parts per billion. For a bit of perspective, EPA set a very weak Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 80 parts per billion for TTHMS and 60 parts per billion for HAA5. Disinfection Byproducts are a category of emerging contaminants which means they have been detected in drinking water but the risk to human health is unknown. Regulatory agencies have very little knowledge about the adverse health effects of DBPs, and their toxicity. EPA has stated that they have been linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer, as well as kidney, liver, and central nervous system problems. Some disinfection byproducts have almost no toxicity, but others have been associated with cancer, reproductive problems, and developmental issues in laboratory animals. 200 million people in the United States use chlorinated tap water as their primary drinking source, so we take understanding their full health effects very seriously, even if federal agencies fail to regulate all categories.
Analies Ross-Dyjak | Policy Analyst
Thanks for watching us on Shark Tank! This post is part of a series unpacking each Shark's water quality. Mark Cuban may hail from Pittsburgh, but he's since made Dallas his home (Go Mavericks!). Here are some problems with Dallas water -- all things we take into account when optimizing our filters for Dallas residents.
Where Does Dallas Water Utilities Get Its Drinking Water?
The city of Dallas draws water from seven different surface water sources: the Elm Fork of the Trinity River and lakes Ray Roberts, Lewisville, Grapevine, Ray Hubbard, Tawakoni and Fork. As is the case with any surface water source, these lakes and rivers can become contaminated by polluters within the watershed. For Dallas, this could mean runoff from all sorts of nasty stuff, like gas stations, industrial sites, agriculture, and even natural gas fracturing!
Chromium 6 Contamination In Dallas Drinking Water
Let's start with an entirely unregulated chemical -- Chromium 6, also known as hexavalent chromium or the “Erin Brockovich chemical.” This is an extremely toxic heavy metal that can cause all sorts of health problems. Chromium 6 in Dallas tap water averages 149 parts per trillion (this is 8 times higher than what the California Water Boards considers to be safe!) Chromium 6 is a liquid effluent associated with metal processing, tannery facilities, chromate production, stainless steel welding and pigment production. The only way to get rid of chromium 6 in drinking water is by using a product (like ours) that's optimized to remove it.
What Are DBPs And Are They Present In Dallas Tap Water?
DBPs, or disinfection byproducts , are a category of emerging contaminants, and form when chlorine-based disinfectants react with naturally-occurring organic matter. Dallas disinfects its drinking water with chlorine to protect against waterborne illness, so it’s no surprise that disinfection byproducts are present. Regulations for these chemicals aren't strict and the effects on health aren't well understood, but EPA has acknowledged that some DBPs can cause an increased risk of bladder cancer, as well as kidney, liver, and central nervous system problems.
Why Does Dallas Tap Water Smell Like A Pool?
Dallas uses chlorine as a primary drinking water disinfectant to protect against waterborne diseases. Chlorine is most popular for giving drinking water a “pool lockerroom” taste and smell. While not typically considered to be harmful on its own, Hydroviv filters remove the unpleasant odor.