Schools Confronting PFAS

Schools Confronting PFAS

A recent article from The Maine Monitor tells the story of how Bill Hansen, the facilities director at Windham Raymond School District in Maine, had a start to his year filled with ups and downs. After celebrating no PFAS in the water at one of their middle schools, he was blindsided when the nearby elementary school reported PFAS levels nearly 50 times the state limit. This sent the school into high gear, arranging for immediate fixes like switching to bottled water and planning a new well to address the contamination.

This is a growing trend in water treatment needs, especially as tighter PFAS regulations kick in. Schools and other public systems are facing the complex task of installing advanced filtration systems and the ongoing costs that come with them. For example, Raymond Elementary spent around $100,000 on a new well and system to reduce PFAS, plus analysis from a hydrogeology firm. Roughly 60% of that was covered by the state.

NM School District Preps for School Year

In more school news, Gadsden Independent School District (GISD) in southern New Mexico is beefing up its campuses with new water filtration systems, just in time for the new school year. The district has chosen Waterhouse from El Paso to install these multi-stage systems, which feature a series of filters and ultraviolet light purification, at several schools with plans for more by the end of summer. This move comes after there were water quality concerns noted in the area. GISD’s Superintendent says that these systems are all about making sure parents feel good about sending their kids to school, with safe water being a key part of that peace of mind.

PFAS, PFOS, & PFOA

EcoWater Tampa recently wrote all about decoding PFAS, PFOS, and PFOA. Here’s the breakdown: PFAS is the big group name for a bunch of these tough chemicals. PFOS and PFOA are two specific types under this big umbrella. PFOS is used in things like stain-resistant fabrics and firefighting foams, while PFOA pops up in non-stick cookware and some waterproof clothes. Both are super persistent (aka forever), which is obviously not great news. The team writes about how important it is for water treaters to know their stuff about these chemicals because they’re a real headache to get rid of from drinking water. It recommends using filters like activated carbon or reverse osmosis systems to help kick these contaminants out of the water supply.

Wells in the Desert

Arizona-based Pristine Water Softeners, who have served “over 30,000 satisfied customers”, wrote about what makes a good water softener for well water. Here are their top picks:

1. SpringWell Water Softener System: Known for its efficiency and durability. It's a bit pricier, but it delivers great results with minimal maintenance.

2. Fleck 5600SXT Water Softener: This one's easy on the wallet and still does a solid job. Great for larger homes and comes with straightforward DIY instructions.

3. Pelican Water NaturSoft®: This salt-free alternative keeps things eco-friendly and low maintenance, though it might struggle with very hard water.

4. Aquasana Rhino® Well Water Filtration System with Softener: Filters and softens water at the same time. It's a complete solution, but requires a bit more space and investment.

5. Culligan High-Efficiency 1-Inch Water Softener: Super efficient, customizable, and professionally installed. It's pricier, but you’re paying for top-notch quality and service.

What else is happening:

• We’ve talked about the Berkey filters in the past, but the LA Times did another pass at the “cult following” and EPA’s red flags that come with it

• Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department refutes the need for home water filtration systems after recent promotion for systems across the community

• NY-based Aquanology writes about deciding between salt-based water softeners and salt-free water conditioners

• Alamo Water Softeners says there are 3 reasons commercial ice machines need water treatment