Are Chlorination Levels Too High?

Are Chlorination Levels Too High?

New research published last month is putting chlorination under the microscope, but it's not the chlorine that's raising questions: it's what happens after. According to an article in Food & Wine, Swedish researchers found that when chlorine meets organic matter in our water, it creates byproducts called THMs that might be more problematic than previously thought. While the U.S. caps these compounds at 80 parts per billion, the study suggests we might want to dial that back to 40. That said, the evidence is still "limited-suggestive," and experts emphasize that chlorination remains essential for public health. The real opportunity, according to the article, is to move toward activated carbon filtration and RO systems as home solutions, while utilities might need to get creative with their disinfection strategies.

Toronto’s Watermart Celebrates 25

Toronto's Watermart just hit the quarter-century mark, and they've got the numbers to show for it: 10,000+ households served and a 4.9-star rating from over 1,000 customers. In a recent profile piece, this water treatment company talks about their growth from basic filters to a full suite of solutions, with water softeners being their hottest sellers. The team has expanded their offerings with a new tankless RO system that boasts a 2:1 drain ratio, cutting down on water waste compared to old-school systems. Watermart says a combo of 5-year warranties and stick-around service, plus a lineup that covers everything from under-sink filters to whole-home systems, is their secret to success for the last 2+ decades. And they're not just dropping off boxes: each installation comes with water testing and a regular maintenance program.

Well Pumps & Pressure Tanks

H2O Equipment Company in Connecticut is spotlighting an often-overlooked part of water treatment: the relationship between pressure tanks, well pumps, and water quality. The key takeaway, according to the team, is that these workhorses do way more than just maintain shower pressure. A healthy pressure tank ensures treatment systems get enough flow to backwash properly, while keeping well pumps running in their sweet spot — long enough to stay cool, but not so long they burn out. When either starts acting up (think weird noises or pressure surges), it can throw off everything from RO systems to water softener regeneration cycles. For the 125,000+ customers H2O has served since ‘67, that means staying on top of maintenance isn't just about consistent pressure but keeping the entire water treatment system running smoothly.

California Introduces PFAS Legislation

California's not waiting around for the feds when it comes to forever chemicals in drinking water. The Golden State just introduced new legislation against PFAS: Assembly Bill 794, which would put the State Water Board in charge of setting its own PFAS limits, and Senate Bill 454, which would create a piggy bank for cleanup efforts. The timing is interesting as this follows Minnesota's recent PFAS cookware ban and comes as some water utilities are trying to chip away at the current national standards. Note that California has already banned PFAS in everything from cosmetics to cribs, but as Sen. McNerney points out, eight decades of PFAS use means there's plenty of cleanup work ahead. Consider this California's way of saying "thanks, but we'll handle this ourselves" to the federal PFAS playbook.

What else is happening:

• The Rhode Island Department of Health rolled out a new online mapping tool that maps out the state’s lead lines and galvanized lines

• Michigan’s Wolverine Water Systems releases a guide on understanding water filter certifications

• NY-based Aquanology asks and answers: how long do water softeners last?

• Peacock Water, a Kinetico dealer, discusses the impacts of hard water on homes and on health