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Unmasking The Effects: Fracking And Its Influence On Water Quality

As the discourse on fracking intensifies, concerns about its potential impact on drinking Water quality have taken center stage. At H2O Solutions, we are committed to providing comprehensive insights on how it may affect the water you consume. In this blog, we delve into the effects of fracking on drinking water and explore the potential risks associated with the fluids involved in the process.

Understanding Fracking Fluids

Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a process that has revolutionized energy production by extracting oil and gas from deep underground. However, the Environmental implications, particularly water quality, raise legitimate concerns.

A significant aspect of fracking revolves around using fracking fluid—a combination of water, sand, and various chemicals. Oil or natural gas is released from rock formations by injecting this fluid deep into the ground. However, the return of this fluid to the surface poses potential threats to drinking water.

Surface Contamination Risks

When fracking fluid resurfaces, the risk of spills and leaks increases, potentially contaminating nearby streams and rivers. The chemical composition of fracking fluid can include substances harmful to human health. The unintentional release of these fluids into surface water sources raises concerns about drinking water Safety for communities near fracking operations.

Chemical Concerns

The exact composition of fracking fluids can vary, and the industry is not always transparent about the specific chemicals used. Standard components include biocides, corrosion inhibitors, surfactants, and friction reducers. Some of these chemicals are known to be toxic, posing health risks if they enter drinking water sources.

Monitoring and Regulation

Ongoing Efforts to understand and regulate the impact of fracking on drinking water are crucial. Various studies have highlighted instances of contamination, emphasizing the need for rigorous monitoring and oversight to protect water supplies. Communities near fracking sites must stay informed and advocate for robust regulatory measures.

H2O Solutions’ Commitment

Drinking water contaminated by hydraulic fracturing can have harmful effects on public health. If there is fracking in your area, now is the time, more than ever, to be proactive in protecting your area’s water quality. Hold fracking corporations responsible by keeping up with local fracking operations. Encourage open and honest fracking procedures in council and committee meetings. Consider using water treatment methods for safe and clean drinking water at home. Our goal at H2O Solutions is to ensure that your water continues to be a source of health and wellness. To get started, request a free water test now.

Questions? We’re Here to Help

Navigating the maintenance and care of your EcoWater treatment system is vital to ensuring its lasting efficiency and performance. Whether it’s understanding salt maintenance, troubleshooting regeneration issues, or planning system deep cleaning, our team, as an EcoWater Systems distributor, is here to assist you every step of the way. Contact us today by clicking the link below.

H2O Solutions | Unmasking The Effects

What Are PFOA And PFOS In Drinking Water?

Chemical manufacturing changed more than the ingredients in various liquid products; it radically changed a variety of consumer products, from electronics to cooking equipment. When these chemicals make their way into the water supply, the Health effects can be detrimental, such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). 

To get a better understanding of why caring for drinking water, our water supply, and the importance of having water filtration for yourself, let’s look into what PFOA and PFOS in drinking water are and what it does.

What are PFOA and PFAS?

PFAS included thousands of sub-types, some more widely used than others, but are a group of manufactured chemicals that were used in industry and consumer products beginning in the 1940s. PFOA is a member of the PFAS group and is one of the most widely used chemicals within it, now replaced with another type of chemical for product manufacturing that began in 2000.  

During the manufacturing of these chemicals, before phasing them out of production, large quantities of PFOAs were released into the environment around the globe. The repeated leaking of the chemical led to it being found in drinking water supplies near former manufacturing locations and airports, leading to a lot of concern over the health effects on humans. 

One of the primary concerns of the PFAS group is that they break down very slowly, allowing concentrations to build in people, animals, and the environment causing greater effects.

What are the Effects of PFOS on Drinking Water?

As PFOS has been found throughout the world, knowing how it can build up within the body, led scientists to study it extensively. The manufacturing process allowed PFAS, the group PFOS belongs to, to seep into the water, air, and soil via discharges from sewage treatment plants, landfills, and the use of fire-fighting foams. 

The worldwide exposure led to investigations that found that exposure to PFOA and PFOS has severe health effects, including cancer, issues with the immune system, liver and thyroid problems, and impact on a developing fetus or infant. The health risks led the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to test water sources around the country, alerting communities to PFOA levels through health advisory level warnings. 

To be clear, the effects of PFOA and PFOS are from long-term exposure and not an immediate consequence.

How do you Remove PFOA and PFOS from Drinking Water?

The first thing to know is that boiling water with PFOA/PFOS won’t remove them, instead, it concentrates the chemicals. This is important to know if a water advisory has been released in your area. Make sure to follow the advice of your municipal water authority if an alert has gone out for water used for drinking, cooking, bathing, dishwashing, and for pets. 

To stop any that may exist in the water, whether a watery advisory has gone out or not, there are several water filters that work for PFAS:

  • Point-of-Use (POU) Filters: These are filters that attach to the faucet or shower head.
  • Whole House Water Filters: These filters are usually installed in the basement, garage, or wellhouse, and treat all water that flows into the home from the external water system. 

Please note that not all water filters are effective at removing PFAS. Look for filters that have been independently tested by a third party and have been certified as removing PFAS, have activated carbon, anion exchange, and/or high-pressure membranes. All these techniques are available for in-home filters.

If you’re concerned that your water may have PFAS, you can ask your public water works if they have tested for it. If your water flows from a private well, you can ask your local government if PFAS have been found near the well and have your water tested by a private company. Remember, contamination nearby doesn’t necessarily mean the drinking water has been exposed, but may indicate whether you should invest in testing the well or not.

Taking Action: Protecting Your Health and Safety

Chemicals seeping into our drinking water is a serious issue that the EPA is working to eliminate, but there are ways to protect yourself from being exposed to PFOA and PFOS in your water supply:

  • Use a Certified Water Filter: Install and regularly maintain a water filter certified to remove PFOA and PFOS from drinking water. Look for filters with NSF/ANSI Standard 53 or 58 certification specifically for PFOA and PFOS removal.
  • Test Private Wells: If you rely on a private well for drinking water, consider testing it for PFOA and PFOS contamination. Contact your local health department or a certified laboratory for testing options.
  • Limit Exposure to Contaminated Water: If you’re aware of PFOA or PFOS contamination in your water source, consider using an alternative water source for drinking and cooking until the issue is resolved.
  • Boil Water: Boiling water does not remove PFOA and PFOS but may concentrate contaminants. Avoid boiling contaminated water.
  • Stay Informed: Stay updated on water quality reports and advisories issued by local authorities. Follow any recommendations or guidelines provided to minimize exposure.
  • Avoid Recreational Water Sources: Avoid swimming or engaging in recreational activities in water bodies known or suspected to be contaminated with PFOA or PFOS.
  • Report Concerns: If you suspect PFOA or PFOS contamination in your water supply, report your concerns to your local water utility or environmental agency. They can investigate and take appropriate Action.

H20 Solutions delivers water your way by empowering individuals with safeguards to improve the water in their homes. From EcoWater Systems in the home to SimpleLab testing kits, we are committed to cleaner water throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Explore how to stop PFOAs and PFOSs in your drinking water below.

H2O Solutions | PFOA & PFOS

Why Dogs Get Aggressive

Aggressive dogs can be scary and harm both dogs and people because it can happen without warning. A friendly dog can suddenly turn, acting aggressively by growling, snapping, and lunging at other dogs and people. They could injure or even kill people, including owners and other dogs. 

Owners often do not know why their dogs suddenly display aggression. Dog owners don’t see the warning signs until it is too late. Knowing the probable causes of aggression can help owners deal with it before it escalates. Preventing dangerous behavior is far better than dealing with the outcomes.

Fear

A dog always in fear can become aggressive. Dogs may go into freeze, flight, or fight mode in dangerous situations. 

When dogs feel danger, they will try to get away. If they cannot escape, they will either freeze or fight. In most cases, dogs will become aggressive, like a rat in a trap. It will choose physical violence to escape the source of apparent danger. 

Physically abused dogs nearly always become aggressive because of this fight response. This is very common with rescue dogs, many of which are abuse victims. If you don’t know your dog’s history and they act aggressively, this is most likely due to past abuse. 

The best way to manage this is to demonstrate to the dog that they have nothing to fear. Be patient and gentle with them. If they become aggressive in specific situations, remove them from that environment. Ease them back to the same situation. You should also consult a specialist in training abused dogs.

Injury or Illness

Pain is a common reason for aggression in dogs. It is not unexpected, as people in pain commonly become irritable and violent. If your dog unexpectedly shows signs of aggression, it may be owing to pain caused by disease, illness, or Injury. 

Check your dog thoroughly for injuries. Suppose your dog seems unusually lethargic or quiet, starts limping, or stops moving entirely. In that case, the dog may be ill or have internal injuries. Check the dog wheelchair if it fit properly, as an ill-fitiing chair may cause discomfort. If you cannot determine the problem, bring your dog directly to your veterinarian. Do not give your dog any medication, such as pain relievers, unless specified by your veterinarian. Giving medication without understanding what is wrong could be disastrous. 

Territory

Territorial behavior is innate for some dogs. Known as resource guarding, dogs can become extremely possessive of specific objects or areas such as food, toys, beds, or owners. When someone goes near a dog playing with a toy or eating and becomes aggressive, it is likely due to this instinct. 

You can avoid this situation by respecting the dog’s Space. Penalizing or telling off the dog will only confuse it. The dog may even consider it a challenge, making them even more aggressive. It will not always be easy to understand what the dog is guarding, but it will become obvious over time. 

Confinement 

Confinement may be a harness, leash, traveling cage, or fenced area. Dogs unused to confinement may feel frustration and may manifest as aggression.

It is critical to reassure your dog. Try a couple of test runs so they know what to expect. They might behave better when confined if they have freedom most of the time.

Takeaway

You should find out the cause of aggression to handle it better. If you can’t figure it out, consult a professional. Misunderstanding the cause of your dog’s aggression may lead to actions that could make things worse for you, your dog, and everyone around them. 

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