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Fish and amphibian owners need to review new SF water treatment
Marina Times | July 2003 | Susan Landry

Posted on 07/11/2003 1:19:33 PM PDT by my_pointy_head_is_sharp

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), which supplies drinking water to all San Francisco residents, has launched a major outreach campaign to inform customers about an upcoming change in the drinking water disinfectant. The water quality improvement will require fish and amphibian owners to change the way they prepare water for fish tanks and aquariums.

In Fall 2003, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) will switch from chlorine to chloramine disinfection of drinking water. Chloramine, a combination of chlorine and ammonia, is a proven disinfectant considered more effective than chlorine alone, as it lasts longer in water to more effectively remove pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. It also substantially reduces disinfection byproducts, such as trihalomethanes, which are possible carcinogens.

With the conversion to chloramine, San Francisco residents will continue to receive the highest quality waater.

"The Chloramine Conversion Project strengthens our efforts to provide the highest quality drinking water to our customers," General Manager Patricia E. Martel said. "The conversion to chloramine will help us meet new and future water quality regulations, enhance water quality, and will probably improve taste and odor, based on reports from other water agencies," Martel added.

Chloraminated water is safe for people and animals to drink, and for all other general uses. However, as with chlorine, chloramine must be removed for fish and amphibian use, for businesses requiring highly treated water such as laboratories and microchip manufacturers, and for the kidney dialysis treatment process.

Unlike chlorine, chloramine cannot be removed from water by boiling, or by letting an open container of water stand to dissipate chlorine gas. It can only be neutralized, or removed with specific treatment methods. Inexpensive products for removing chloramine for fish and amphibian tanks are readily available at pet and aquarium supply stores.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; US: California
KEYWORDS: chloramine; chlorine; water
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To: my_pointy_head_is_sharp
Chloramine, a combination of chlorine and ammonia, is a proven disinfectant considered more effective than chlorine alone ...

If you value your animals, switch to bottled water.
If you value your tastebuds switch to bottled water.

They use Chloramine from time to time here in Cary, NC and even the dogs won't drink it.

So9

21 posted on 07/11/2003 2:18:22 PM PDT by Servant of the Nine (Real Texicans; we're grizzled, we're grumpy and we're armed)
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To: Servant of the Nine
"They use Chloramine from time to time here in Cary, NC and even the dogs won't drink it."

Interesting observation. Are you sure it's chloramine? Water systems can only disinfect by one method or the other, either chlorine (whether gas or sodium hypo) or chloramine.

When chloramine is introduced into a system that normally depends on chlorine, both forms of disinfectant will be nuetralized, with the result that there will be no disinfectant residual in the water at all.

It would be interesting to know more details about your system. Do they have a web site?

22 posted on 07/11/2003 2:30:41 PM PDT by telebob
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To: my_pointy_head_is_sharp
I wonder if chloramine will make the water taste worse than chlorine already does?

Yeah, it does, a lot worse.

So9

23 posted on 07/11/2003 2:33:26 PM PDT by Servant of the Nine (Real Texicans; we're grizzled, we're grumpy and we're armed)
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To: telebob
Interesting observation. Are you sure it's chloramine? Water systems can only disinfect by one method or the other, either chlorine (whether gas or sodium hypo) or chloramine.

Yeah, it's chloramine. They use it for about 2 weeks at a time twice a year, supposedly to kill out anything chlorine has let grow in the lines.

So9

24 posted on 07/11/2003 2:35:50 PM PDT by Servant of the Nine (Real Texicans; we're grizzled, we're grumpy and we're armed)
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To: my_pointy_head_is_sharp
Brita is a good 2nd stage filter, I use a 20 micron whole house filter(changed monthly) & the brita for drinking, cooking, ice, etc..

What my pal has is very similiar, only his 3rd stage is the uv light.

Not to be corny, but it really brightens up the water, makes it taste really clean & sparkly.

btw-Save the 1st two pitchers worth on beginning each filter for final rinse of hair in shower, really gets rid of buildup & makes you feel superclean. Also, Wal-mart distilled water is especially good for this & great for drinking too. The high turnover keeps it fresh & keeps it from getting funny plastic taste.

25 posted on 07/11/2003 2:35:53 PM PDT by norraad
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To: norraad
I haven't heard about stage 1, 2 and 3 water filters. Could you explain a bit more about it, or direct me to a website? Thanks.

Also, what's a whole house filter? I've never heard of that either. And a UV light filter?

You've introduced things that I've never heard about.

26 posted on 07/11/2003 2:43:29 PM PDT by my_pointy_head_is_sharp
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To: Servant of the Nine
Or dig a well.
27 posted on 07/11/2003 3:04:44 PM PDT by Right Wing Professor
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To: my_pointy_head_is_sharp
Simple, each stage removes smaller bits than the one before it so they all last longer and provide better volume & pressure overall.

For me,

stage 1= 20 micron whole house filter(available real cheap @ Lowes, Home Depot, etc.).

Stage 2 = Brita ( about 2.5 micron, plus charcoal for chlorine, etc.)

Stage 3 would be the uv , which I don't yet, but it's on the list

This is just an example, some folks put two of the whole house filters in the basement & have the first one 20 micron & the second one 5~10 micron.

That takes the load off the more expensive Brita filters.

It's a mix & match type of deal. dependig on you situation.

28 posted on 07/11/2003 5:46:30 PM PDT by norraad
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To: my_pointy_head_is_sharp
"Fish and amphibian owners need to review new SF water treatment"

I wonder if this will affect the behavior of whitefish in the bath houses...

29 posted on 07/11/2003 5:49:55 PM PDT by Joe 6-pack
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To: norraad
Thanks!
30 posted on 07/12/2003 11:28:06 AM PDT by my_pointy_head_is_sharp
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