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Show Page B7 The Summit County Bee September 14, 2001 How Con Ensure Thatf My Drinking Water is Safe? II Subscribe To The Summit County Bee BY LEONA K. IIAWKS USU Extension Housing Specialist Every day Americans drink more than one billion glasses of water. Public drinking water in the United States is generally safe; however, it is wise to be aware that water can become contaminated. Contaminants often have no odor or color and are hard to detect Some of them are: bacteria and viruses may cause upset stomachs, diarrhea or more serious illnesses; 9: lead can . get into water from corroded plumbing 'and can cause children to have learning and behavioral problems as well as other illnesses; 3: chemicals such as pesticides can wash off lawns and fields or leak from storage containers, or gas and oil can seep into the ground water and then into drinking water where even a small amount can cause cancer, damage to kidneys, liver or other organs, or present health risks to pregnant women; 4: radon, a naturally occurring Incredible dnb house Indoor pool spa Loiv down payment FHA loans available Convenient location 2, 3 and 4 bedrooms Private fcnxvd yard with patio Acres of lanthaipnt parits construct inn Quiet, dnoirie-wa- ll European architecture PHASEIW 1 nTftfrflUTnT! TEJISaiTii 1 1 vfUCD m XSl&fta Check TheseVeb Sites ! tiffin 33' Brother at www. brother.com. Key Education Resources at litgJMS '"tfsaF www.key.comeducation. Symantec at www.symantec. com. 810 EAST MAIN. MIDWAY I Fr lafarairtiaN The MediSavers plan rMlactw ....J 435.640.2000 www. medisaver.com. The BBaVilllftWU 435.654.5599 HEAL ESTATE GEORGETOWN at Gold Institute at www.goldinstitute.org. Defenders of Wildlife is at V, mmnWrtfl www.defenders.org. The California Cut Flower www.hamlettown homes 4r c"o m Commission at www.ccfc.org. KARTS radioactive gas found in some well water escapes into the air in the home from showers and washing machines and has been linked to lung cancer most of the risk comes from radon that seeps into homes from the ground soil; 3: nitrate gets into water from animal and human waste and from fertilizer. Some experts believe nitrate can cause miscarriages in pregnant women, birth defects and illness to some infants under six months old. Though contaminants can be hard to detect, there are things you can do to prevent them from harming your water. Consider these suggestions. If you think you have a water problem, have your water tested. Call the Department of Health for assistance in obtaining a water sample. If you find your water's radon level is 10,000 pico curies per liter the State or higher, contact Department of Health or the of Environmental Department Quality for methods of aerating the water before it enters your house. If you have pipes soldered with lead, do not use hot water from the tap for cooking or drinking because heat can dissolve the metal. If you must use the water and havent used your tap for several hours, clear out the pipes by letting cold water run until you feel the temperature change. Veiy soft water, which is more comvsivc than hard water, is' especially likely to leach lead from soldered pipes or brass fixtures. Prevent the backflow of contaminated water from entering your water supply by leaving an air gap between the water supply and any reservoir of dirty water. For example. if you arc filling a swimming pool with a hose, leave an air gap between the hose and the water in the pool. Toilets and washing machines havfe built-i- n air gaps. If an air gap cannot be maintained, a backflow prevention device such as a check valve or vacuum breaker should be installed on the water supply line. Inexpensive backflow prevention devices can be purchased from plumbing suppliers. Backflow of contaminated water into your water supply can occur if your system undergoes sudden pressure loss, if there is a line break in the public water system or if a well fails. If your water comes from a well, have your water tested at a laboratory at least yearly. Call your county health department if you have questions. Also have your well inspected by a qualified well driller or pump installer every 10 to 13 years. Keep records of well construction details and dates and results of maintenance visits so you and future owners can follow a regular maintenance schedule. If you have questions or concerns about water safety, call the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800)426-479- 1. Annual "Walk Along For Lupus" Sept. 22 The annual Walk Along For Lupus" is being held on Saturday, Sept. 22, at the Sugarhouse Park in Salt Lake City to raise funds to fight lupus. Lupus suffers, family members and the public are invited to join in the 3K walk which will begin at 10:30 AM. For a registration fee of S10 which will so to the battle against lupus, each participant will Depression: Treat It. Defeat It. SHEAR IMAGES receive a and free lunch by Outback Stcakhousc. Those who raise $30 will also receive a sweatshirt. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. Participants need not walk the full 3 kilometers, but may walk any . or none of Symptoms of lupus of$en imitate less serious illnesses, makine it difficult to diagnose. Every case is different from all others, ranging from mild to severe. Diagnosing lupus has been described as similar to to a wall." Trying to nail Jell-- 0 Symptoms and treatments, even for twins, may vary greatly. Nearly two million Americans have lupus, more than AIDS, multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis, sicklecell anemia and cerebral palsy combined. Lupus is America's least known, major disease. Ninety per- the-route- cent of its victim's are women between 13 and 43 years of age. Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease which causes the immune system to attack healthy body tissue. It can affect virtually any organ in the body and is often Lupus is not contagious but is to have a senetic factor, as it often runs in families Common symptoms include achy andor swollen joints, fever, prolonged fatigue, skin rashes, sun sensitivity, mouth sores and anemia. Symptoms often come and go, making it difficult for lupus victims to identify any connection between the symptoms. Thousands die from its complications each year. For more information about the event which is open to the public, call the Lupus Foundation, Utah-Idah- o 8 or Chapter at (800) (801) ed 637-639- Hebcr City, Utah 84032 184 North Main (435) 654-013- 5 364-036- 6. tsx you in jssa re? A volunteer program tar kkH who cam. Help your cMW to do something ton and Important while helping In community. Encourage them to volunteer or volunteer win your cron, ror mofi vnonMOM on how you can gel your Ud kilo A give us a cafl at PecNT 6NC CMpMM ftii FULL SET OF NAILS $2500 "ri STICK YQUR NECK 7S& OUT FOR KIDS- - HAIRCUTS FOR MEN & WOMEN Vk $6" Includes u STOP DRUGS fi VIOLENCE BLOWDRY & STYLE r |