Dangerous

[cane76]

my tap water is loaded with nitrates what should i do?

 

[WILDER]

How high is the tap nitrate reading.

 

[rdd1952]

If they're very high, you should talk to the local water company (unless you have well water). Water that is high in nitrates isn't safe for human consumption, especially infants.

 

[WILDER]

Just been reading up on it and it isn't safe for humans so you should report it to the water board, mainly due to farmer spraying chemicals.

 

[cane76]

50mg/l is that bad?

 

[WILDER]

Yes that's high mine 12.5, i would report it.

 

[cane76]

im gonna retest it

 

[WILDER]

http/www.virtualhebrides.com/articles/wa...er_hebrides.htm

 

[cane76]

very worrying i have a baby too

 

[WILDER]

I think i would get one of those systems fitted, and charge the water board, lol though it's not funny.

 

[a.d.wood]

Hi there,

Now for the regulatory bit:

In the UK, the chemical parameters (mandatory) schedule 1 of the Water Supply (Water Quality)(England) Regulations 2000 state that the PCV (Prescibed Concentration or Value) is set at a maximum of 50mg/L (at your tap). Above this level, the water authority are obliged to immediately investigate the 'out of specification' result and take what ever remedial action is required.

Regards

Andrew

 

[Bloo]

mmm - are you very sure it's 50 ppm. I'm really just around the corner from you (just about literally) and mine is generally around 20ppm. Average over a year is 35ppm and highest 50ppm. Supplier Thames Water.
This reading changes quite often, so you might find that you have a different reading next week.

Also, test your water after standing overnight - not straight from the tap - see if those readings differ.

How old is your test kit ? How long has it been open and are you sure it's within the expiry period ?
Nitrate test have a notoriously short shelf life - especially once opened.

Yes that's high mine 12.5, i would report it.

50ppm for this part of the country is not unusual - I have a report from Thames Water that officially provide this figure as the top level for Nitrates.

 

[CFC]

50ppm sounds about right for the area, i'm just down the road from you as well (near Twickenham) and the nitrates average between 35 and 50ppm straight from the tap and have been known to rise to as high as 70ppm during the summer months when water consumption is at its highest.
As long as you dont have any really sensative fish then the nitrates arent really a problem for them, i just do bigger and more regular water changes than most people to compensate for the already high levels of nitrate.
If you are worried about the nitrates then you could fit a R/O unit but be aware that if you are on a water meter they can be quite costly to run.

 

[cane76]

im gonna get a new test kit today hopefully a more accurate one.what are some good ones?
ive been reading up on it and its scary stuff

 

[Bloo]

I've found API to be a good one to read, but not all shops stock API. Just make sure whatever you buy is not covered in dust and within expiry period.
I've never had a problem with Nitrates - but know for a fact that certain fish don't thrive in my water. Partly because it's so incredibly hard too.
You'll find that you're also sitting with a very high GH and KH as well as PH. Really nothing you can do about it apart from going RO - whic is time consuming, expensive and takes space.
Or switch to keeping Afican Cichlids ! Perfect water for them