[PennsylvaniaMom]

I did read the entire thread, and I want to add my own two cents.

I work in the pool industry. We routinely computer test our clients’ water to balance the water chemistry (for optimum chlorine, salt, non-chlorine). One of the test we routinely run for chlorine/salt pools is for phosphate levels. The last two seasons we have had remarkable 2500+ ppm phosphates reads on FRESH FILLS (new pools or pools getting replacement liners). This is tap water! We learned that our water authority (as many municipalities do) adds phosphate to our drinking water to (and this is the OFFICIAL term used in literature) “DE-GUNK” our old infrastructure. I cannot help but wonder if this routine procedure is ADDING to HABs like this.

Also, for the preppers, make sure you read labels if you use pool grade dry chlorine (shock) for water purification. ONLY calcium hypochlorite should be used—DO NOT EVER USE a tri-chlor shock for water purification to potable standards.

[PA Engineer]

We learned that our water authority (as many municipalities do) adds phosphate to our drinking water to (and this is the OFFICIAL term used in literature) “DE-GUNK” our old infrastructure. I cannot help but wonder if this routine procedure is ADDING to HABs like this.

I bet you are right. Years ago, I did some work on clarifiers. The curse to the sanitary departments was phosphates. That was the only thing in their process they could not remove and the big push was on to get it out of detergents. Those levels are insane. I think you are on to something more than the stock excuse of farmland runoff.

During college I also worked for a pool company in Pittsburgh. Did a lot of lab work. Testing was much more primitive and slower in those days. I can only imagine the equipment now.