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Show r Page A1 2 Thursday, May 26, 1 994 The Park Record Section A gum LI em M tomnra TT County Experts collect data in water study I7DGEM0NT Ajc leaners (Holiday Village Shopping Center) NOW OFFERS - Free Estimates - Take Down Rehanging - Repair available on most blinds - New Blinds at Low Prices - Fast Service with Quality Guaranteed Call for Appointment 649-9336 by CHRISTINE C APUTO Record staff writer In 1987, the U.S. Geological Survey performed a reconnaissance study of the water in Park City and the Snyderville Basin area. "Basically," said Lee Case, USGS Chief in charge of the study, "all we did was check the water balance and see where it was coming in and out of the ground. What we realized is that we need more information and a more complete study." Today Case is heading a new study which began in October 1993. This study shall take four years in order to determine how much water the county has and will need to sustain its population. Primarily, the study will focus on water supply and quality so that enough information can be provided for future adjudication of water rights. ' Case outlined the study's agenda which involves a two-year data collection period. The last two years will be spent analyzing the', data collected, creating necessary ' computer tools and reporting and , documenting findings and conclusions. As of this moment, since the study is still in its early stages, it is too soon for any information to be reported. Any data gathered, however, is available to the public at all times. Despite a growing demand for water in Summit County, Case did note that there was not a massive' reduction in water levels over the' past six years. One survey showed that the population used j ,500 acre-feet acre-feet of water in 1980 which rose to, 3,500 acre-feet in 1992, but Case explained that this data wasn't conclusive of overall water levels! "Accurate and specific information about how much water we have,", he said, "is on its way." Levels of lead in the environment on the rise Park City Unitarian Universalists "All Church Summer Social Planning" Sunday, May 29, 10:15 am Religious Education is provided for children through 6th grade. A youth group is available for Junior & Senior High School youths. Nursery care available. NEW LOCATION: Park City Miner's Hospital 1354 Park Avenue FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 649-1228 by DENNIS HINKAMP USU Consumer Information Dangerous levels of lead in drinking water continue to crop up in Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) surveys. The most recent warning was regarding submersible pumps used in private wells. The EPA found that some of these pumps, especially ones installed within the last year, could release dangerously high levels of lead into the well water. The EPA went so far as to advise those who have installed these new pumps to drink only bottled water until their well has been tested for lead. Lead is a dangerous substance that can accumulate in the body causing birth defects, neurological damage, learning disabilities and, in extreme circumstances, irreversible brain damage, says Kitt Farrell-Poe, Farrell-Poe, Utah State University Extension environmental engineering specialist Municipal water systems are routinely tested for lead, but private wells are unregulated, Farrell-Poe says. Lead found in the private wells is thought to come from the brass and bronze fittings used in about 75 percent of these new submersible pumps. Brass and bronze are alloys that use small amounts of lead to make the finished product more malleable. ' She says that although some rural Utahns may have these pumps, the risk is minimal because of te3MUfflfiO?Pjl5!f Utah's water. Our naturally "hard" water also tends to coat the insides of pipes with calcium deposits that keep the water from coming in contact with the pipes. It is prolonged exposure to acidic water that draws the lead out of pump parts and plumbing. It's true that brass and bronze fittings are used in many other types of pumps and household plumbing components, Farrell- Poe says. The difference with submersible pumps, however, is that the pump is in constant contact with the water. There is a "lead ban" on commercial and residential water systems that has been effect since 1986, she says, but there may be older pipes and fittings that don't comply to this. Again, though, Utah's water makes the lead accumulation in our water unlikely. So should you have your well water tested? Unfortunately, Farrell-Poe Farrell-Poe says there are no EPA-approved EPA-approved home tests for lead in drinking water, so you will have to find a private lab to do the test at a cost of $15 to $40. There is a publication called "Where to Have Your Water Tested In Utah" available at all USU County Extension offices. Or, you can call the Safe Drinking Water hotline 1-800-426-4791 to find the nearest certified testing laboratory in your area. The EPA estimates that about 15 to 20 percent of the lead we are exposed to comes from drinking water. The rest is found in the air, food, paint, dust and soil. This, however, is. highlyvariable from, area to area or even house, ,tq house, says Roger Coulombe, USU toxicologisL Instead of testing your water for lead, possibly a better course of action would be to test your children's blood for lead in the course of their regularly scheduled check-ups, he says. This will not tell you the source, but it will tell if you have anything to worry about. Lead levels are given in micrograms per deciliter. A blood level of greater than 10 is considered high enough for greater concern and a follow-up test Some studies have found a 5-10 percent decrease in children's IQ scores when they have a lead in their blood in the 10-30 range. If it is an elevated level, then you have to determine the source. This could be from water, air pollutants, paint, dust or dirt In most cases the lead comes from a constant source rather than a one-; time ingestion of lead. He says there has been a new test developed that only requires a finger prick rather than drawing blood from a vein. -" For additional concerns about lead in water and other environmental sources, call the EPAatl-800-424-LEAD. Fall proof home ideas selc Falls are the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States. They occur more frequently when you hurry and don't pay attention to where you are-, going. Chances of falling are also ' increased by illness, fatigue, emotional upset, alcohol and drugs. To protect yourself and others in your home, the Utah Safety Council offers the following home safety tips: Wear properly fitting footwear. Skid proof the tub or shower stall. All bathtubs and shower stalls should be equipped with grab bars fastened securely into a wall stud with long screws. 'I ;. ; 1..:' , ..j V'1 iJ'liil. ' ii'J.'(f'Vu. rArrangev children's- .rooms; ( carefully.' Never place a child's crib or bed in front of a window. Do not allow youngsters to sit, stand or play on window sills. Wipe up water, grease and food spills at once. Keep traffic areas clear. People should be able to walk through rooms without squeezing past obstacles and around furniture. Be neat and pick up scattered . belongings. Keep stairways clear of all, objects, ; Avoid carrying vision-blocking , loads. Light switches should be at1 both ends of stairways and long 1 halls. , : For a free Home Safety Guide, call the Utah Safety Council at 262-5400. Utah Valley State College 1255 Park Ave. Park City MONDAY -BMGT 140 - Organizational Behavior BMGT 160 - Principles of Marketing -BMGT 342 - Small Business Management -GRCA 100 - Survey of Graphics Commercial Art -MUS 101 - Introduction to Music -PLSC 101 - Introduction to Political Science -SPAN 102 - First Year Spanish -TASP 110 - Basic Speech: TUESDAY -ACCT 115 - Fundamentals of Business Math -ART 100 - Introduction to Art -ART 110 - Drawing I -AVSC 101 - Survey of Aviation Science -AVSC 110 - Ground: Private Pilot -BMGT 242 - Supervisory Management -HIST 170 - American Civilization -MATH 101- Intermediate Algebra -PSY 101 - General Psychology: WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY -ACCT 201 - Financial Accounting -BMGT 342 - Small Business Management -CSIS 101 - Introduction to Computers Sect.I -HUM 101 - Survey of Humanities -MAT 099 - Introductory Algebra -PLSC 101 - Introduction to Political Science -S0C 101 - Introduction to Sociology -SPAN 102 - First Year Spanish -College Algebra 105 -ACCT 115 - Fundamentals of Business Math -ART 110 - Drawing I -AVSC 110 - Ground: Private Pilot: -BIOL 101 - General Biology -BMGT 242 - Supervisory Management -CSIS 101 - Introduction to Computers Sect. 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