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Old 11-25-2007, 01:36 PM
 
Location: San Antonio
944 posts, read 3,063,116 times
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Has anyone else noticed recent elevations in tap water chlorine levels? About a week and a half ago, I noticed the smell upon turning on the tap. It was like that for a number of days then got better. Now I've noticed that my skin smells like I've been swimming in a public pool even hours after showering. Has there been anything in the news about this? I mean, it can't be good for us to drink this, as Britas, etc. do not filter out the chlorine (they just make water taste better). This is terrible for our teeth, and it disturbs healthy bacterial balance.
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Old 11-25-2007, 01:42 PM
 
Location: SoCal-So Proud!
4,263 posts, read 10,823,786 times
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Home delivered spring water= problem solved (well, the "drinking" part of the problem anyway.)

Last edited by Trainwreck20; 12-02-2007 at 07:37 AM..
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Old 11-25-2007, 02:57 PM
 
Location: U.S.
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Default re: elevated chlorine

I recently used our water meter (used to measure pool water) and noticed a spike in not only chlorine but the PH levels in the tap water (I'm on SAWS). The PH level was 8.1 (way too high) and the chlorine was 2.5ppm (which again is too high). This was a week ago and I haven't re-tested it yet. I'm more concerned with the PH level - long term if it stays at this level.
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Old 11-25-2007, 06:06 PM
 
Location: San Antonio
944 posts, read 3,063,116 times
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WOw, if I understand that correctly, 8.1 is higher than even the most acidic foods, and is enough to demineralize your tooth enamel over not too long a time (as in your teeth would go permanently translucent and/or yellow). Not cool.

Seriously, put some warm tap water into a big pot, put your face over it, and take a long inhale. Feel it slightly burn your nose and eyes?

Last edited by hello13685; 11-25-2007 at 06:26 PM..
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Old 11-25-2007, 07:54 PM
 
Location: U.S.
9,510 posts, read 9,085,701 times
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Default re: chlorine levels

I'm afraid we need to have a chemist provide some background data for this topic.

Acidic levels are reflected by a DECREASE in the PH number. With 7.0 being 'neutral', increased acidic levels reflect the PH level to drop. Coke is about a 4. Try pouring coke over some dried cooking utensils and watch it work wonders. Chlorine is also acidic and higher levels of chlorine would mean a decrease in the PH level. A normal PH level for San Antonio is around 7.5 to 7.7

Some cities (including San Antonio) allow for PH levels as high as 8.5 Soil runoff - with fertilizer 'additives' - is one cause of a rise in the PH level. Fertilizers are organic phosphates and an 'average' PH level might be around 9.0
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Old 11-25-2007, 10:34 PM
 
Location: San Antonio, TX
3,542 posts, read 8,244,975 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hello13685 View Post
WOw, if I understand that correctly, 8.1 is higher than even the most acidic foods, and is enough to demineralize your tooth enamel over not too long a time (as in your teeth would go permanently translucent and/or yellow). Not cool.

Seriously, put some warm tap water into a big pot, put your face over it, and take a long inhale. Feel it slightly burn your nose and eyes?
Of course a pH of 8.1 is higher than any acidic food

The pH scale is roughly from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. A pH less than 7 is acidic; likewise anything greater than 7 is considered basic.

I must say, however, you do ask as a great question with regards to the changes in water treatment. I can only speculate why. I wonder if it has to do with the dihygogen monoxide they found in our water (just teasing )
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Old 11-25-2007, 10:42 PM
 
Location: San Antonio
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Yeah, I had the pH backwards. Whew...
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Old 11-25-2007, 10:43 PM
 
Location: San Antonio, TX
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Not a problem
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Old 11-25-2007, 11:20 PM
 
Location: San Antonio, TX
3,542 posts, read 8,244,975 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johnsonkk View Post
I'm afraid we need to have a chemist provide some background data for this topic.

Acidic levels are reflected by a DECREASE in the PH number. With 7.0 being 'neutral', increased acidic levels reflect the PH level to drop. Coke is about a 4. Try pouring coke over some dried cooking utensils and watch it work wonders. Chlorine is also acidic and higher levels of chlorine would mean a decrease in the PH level. A normal PH level for San Antonio is around 7.5 to 7.7

Some cities (including San Antonio) allow for PH levels as high as 8.5 Soil runoff - with fertilizer 'additives' - is one cause of a rise in the PH level. Fertilizers are organic phosphates and an 'average' PH level might be around 9.0
From what I understand, our soil is naturally basic due to the abundance of limestone which is composed of calcium-carbonate (CaCO3).
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Old 11-26-2007, 10:30 AM
 
Location: San Antonio
944 posts, read 3,063,116 times
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Is it the calcium that makes the water cloudy sometimes when it comes out of the tap? The cloudiness is not consistent. It must then (hopefully!) be this limestone residue that coats my pots after I boil SA tap water. It had better not be pesticides!
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