Posts: 3,212
Threads: 103
Joined: May 2009
First and foremost, to each their own. Your time & money, your water, your health.
Terracore appears to have an above average system with several layers of treatment. I would be curious if he has ever had the water tested by an analytical lab to see how the system is performing?
Peter - Ninole is a bit more removed from the venting than much of Puna IMO. Also, given your long history here, was this before the off-gassing really got going? That said, a custom ferrocement tank that naturally neutralizes the acid rain and has access for sampling sounds like a sound approach to this (former) biochemist.
It's not that catchment water is deadly, but given the variable levels and sources of possible contamination combined with differing treatment approaches, the water may be very unhealthy.
"Catchment Tank Roulette" sums it up for me. © ™ All rights reserved, not to be rebroadcasted without express permission of terracore inc 2015
Posts: 14,138
Threads: 424
Joined: Aug 2012
The consumer is part of that variability: those with strong immune systems will simply adapt to (some of) the microbiologically unsafe components.
Posts: 761
Threads: 40
Joined: Nov 2014
Ironyak, I am curious... I would presume that if the source of the contaminants is the air you are already breathing, you are already ingesting plenty of the nastiness. So, worrying about the drinking water seems akin to fussing over a speck of dirt on your poop sandwich... if you're breathing it, you might as well drink it. But, I yield to your biochemical expertise.
Posts: 2,485
Threads: 10
Joined: Feb 2008
Whenever I read about innovative ways to treat water in developing nations like using the clear PET bottles and irradiating it by putting them in the sun, I also read about how that particular method is desirable because, since the water is sterilized already in the end use containers, there is a reduced rick of re-contamination during transfer from container to container. Having just visited the county taps and watched as people cheerfully filled trash cans, plastic storage bins, gas cans, and crusty old 5 gallon paint buckets, industriously snapping cracked lids on the top that moments before they had been walking on, my thoughts are that it is only county water until it leaves the county tap. After that it is no better than catchment water and if you are the type that is sufficiently aware of the risk factors to safeguard against contamination in transport then you are probably the type that would put together and operate a good catchment system.
One guy had a 275 gallon tote in a trailer. It had about 6" of green water in the bottom. He tipped it up and dumped most of it out the top (he was a huge guy) then filled it up. No rinse. No chlorine.
Posts: 126
Threads: 0
Joined: Oct 2014
I had some Kona coffee the other day (no doubt grown in that nasty mercury laden soil) made with Puna catchment water, also containing dangerous but not deadly levels of mercury, and I could see the mercury floating on the top! It is a ground and air assault! I think we should discuss it.
Posts: 144
Threads: 14
Joined: Apr 2013
Mercury doesn't float. The density is like 13.346 grams per centimeter squared. Remember this from when I used to gold pan.
Thus its a heavy.. Nice try though. This place is fairly polluted for being so pristine!! Lol
Posts: 3,212
Threads: 103
Joined: May 2009
Originally posted by Lodestone
Ironyak, I am curious... I would presume that if the source of the contaminants is the air you are already breathing, you are already ingesting plenty of the nastiness. if you're breathing it, you might as well drink it. But, I yield to your biochemical expertise.
Briefly:
Routes of exposure (inhalation vs oral) differ in the potential health impacts; not simply equivalent.
Air concentrations are less than potential water concentrations built up over time, especially if the tank is not being cleaned regularly.
NSF has not certified any metal roof coatings suitable for potable water catchment.
Some of the hazards such as lead are not largely in the air, but are leached from roof screws and plumbing due to the interaction with acid rain formed from vog.
Limiting exposure is beneficial, even if you can't eliminate all risks.
Don't yield to my views - I am not an expert, but my background allows me to more quickly, and perhaps more completely, grok technical chemical and biological information. Do your own research and listen to knowledgeable sources.
If after 30 years of water quality observations for areas with vog, the DOH is now saying that catchment water is not safe to drink regardless of treatment, it is worth listening IMHO.
Posts: 761
Threads: 40
Joined: Nov 2014
Ironyak: sage advice. I had not considered the concentration build up. Besides, birds poop on roofs, which is all my wife really needed to know. :^)
Posts: 7,787
Threads: 692
Joined: Jun 2011
I've never had my catchment water tested, although I have considered it.
