Quebec Testing Shows Cocktail of Pesticides in Tap Water

GrumpyCanadian

A university-led study shows a “cocktail of different pesticides” in Quebec water, that is not removed by current treatment practises. Essentially, some areas are ending up with these toxins in their municipally-treated tap water; glyphosate among them. Although no single contaminant was shown to be above allowable limits, some researchers are worried about the combined effects of the different pesticide residues over time.

I couldn’t find the old story, but there was another report a few years ago that warned of “industrial pesticides” in Montreal-area water.

This really does bring into question the safety of our water supply, raises concern about the chemicals we use, including residential use of herbicides and pesticides (some of which are banned here), and what can be done about it. Years ago, I added a single filter for water that we consume; it claims to be able to remove pesticide residue, among others, but has me wondering if we shouldn’t be doing more (multi-stage filter, etc.).

Anyone else have concerns or use a residential filter of some sort?

Article link: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/treated-drinking-water-pesticides-quebec-chateauguay-river-1.7532362

Dks01

From the article

While Sauvé said there was no reason for consumers of tap water to panic, the findings do raise some concerns.

“It’s definitely not a case for panic. It’s a case for asking questions, asking the local authorities, ‘can we improve our system?’” he said.

In Ontario every water system must publish a water quality report annually. My city’s source is Georgian Bay. The water quality is excellent. The level of measurable pesticides is very low. I have toured both the waste water and water treatment plants. I am quite confident in the water I drink.

GrumpyCanadian

Dks01 In my case, it’s not so much a question of “panic” as it is concern, and trying to take measures to reasonably reduce unnecessary exposure (additional filtration, for instance). However, the situation brings up another matter: why are we using so many of these chemicals that they end up in our water in measurable quantities? Do we really need pesticides in such quantities? Are herbicides really necessary to maintain weed-free, manicured lawns? Are weeds so horrible that we’re willing to poison our water to get rid of them? It invites the matter of using chemicals judiciously, and finding more efficient ways of applying them, when we really need them, rather than indiscriminately and overly-generously spraying them all over the place, as has tended to happen with glyphosate-based herbicides.

urbanriot

GrumpyCanadian

Do we really need pesticides in such quantities? Are herbicides really necessary to maintain weed-free, manicured lawns? Are weeds so horrible that we’re willing to poison our water to get rid of them?

This depends on who you ask. I personally don’t care about the vibrancy of my lawn, the most effort I put into it is cutting it. At the same time I have friends whose lawns are a deep shade of dark green, lush, and soft to the touch and a few of them import weed killer from the US because we’ve banned it in Ontario.

And at the same time I prefer clean drinking water over lush lawns…

But are the responsible parties Suburban Joe or are they corporate farms? We have a lot of farms in our area that are both family owned, corporate owned, and foreign corporate owned and when they load up on the pesticides and all that, we can smell it.

Dks01

GrumpyCanadian The answer to the question of why is obvious. We need increased yields to feed people. That does not mean that producers aren’t responsible for minimal use. It means they are present, often for decades.

ElQuintron

Mystery Brain Disease thread pt2 incoming.

Thane_Bitter

An RO system should remove glyphosate, the issue I have with most residential ones is that they are terrible wasteful with water, the actual amount depends on the quality of the water and the city water pressure but for what ends up being filtered and collected it much much more goes down the drain.

A system that uses a boost pump is more efficient but complex, costly and consumes power.

I have a two stage rainfresh filter, it has its own spigot at the kitchen sink for use in cooking, boiling water. The brand is rainfresh and they are a canadian company.

Thane_Bitter

ElQuintron Spoiler Alert, it will be microplastics, prions and varies man-made chemicals.

Somewhat-Reticent

For glycophosphate: activated carbon, nano filter / RO, distillation … ?

Dom_Philippe

I favour the water of a deep well. Ours is 182 metres. Have been tested good every year.

Thane_Bitter

Dom_Philippe That is good practice for any well owner. Being a deep well it should not be influenced by immediate surface water changes (as was the case for that well in Walkerton). Still in the event of flooding and heavy amounts of rain it might be worth to test the integrity by having it tested at such times.