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Chlorination level of tap water in southern western Norfolk

turnsignal

Hello

I thought I'd create this thread to document a phenomenon that I experience with my mains water supply that's intermittently bothersome. For me, this isn't particularly related to autism - but I've something to say and I'm an FM here and this is supposedly a discussion forum / community.

Every few months, I notice that there can be a period of 1-3 days when the chlorine level in my mains water is abnormally high. I notice that when showering I can smell a "swimming pool" vapour, the water causes my eyes to smart and my skin feels deadened afterward. I imagine that this abnormal water conforms to required standards but I find it less meets my needs than that usually supplied.

I've decided (until further notice) to make a monthly entry to this thread, stating on how many days in the preceding month I noticed the high chlorine level.

If other FMs have had the same phenomenon, please start a similar thread specifying your area of the UK in the title and making monthy reports too. If FMs have theories as to the cause of this phenomenon I'd be interested to read those.

Best Wishes

  • July 2016

    2 high Chlorine days

  • June 2016

    2 high Chlorine days

  • May 2016

    3 high Chlorine days

  • April 2016

    1 high Chlorine day

  • March 2016

    1 high Chlorine day

  • February 2016

    0 high Chlorine days

  • January 2016

    0 high Chlorine days

  • December 2015

    0 high Chlorine days

     

  • October 2015

    2 high Chlorine days

  • November 2015

    2 high Chlorine days

  • September 2015

    4 high Chlorine days

  • August 2015

    5 high Chlorine days

     

  • July 2015

    3 high Chlorine days

  • Hi. I'm wondering - on the days when you particularly notice the chlorine, are any/all of your senses particularly stimulated? And I wonder, do you notice any particular changes in yourself and are starting to associate them with the same days? For my part, I'm going to try and remain conscious of this issue (thank you for raising it) and see if I spot any links.

    I always understood that chlorine was routinelyadded to the water supply for exactly the reason you quote - sterility.

    I live in the Thames Valley, and I too have noticed this effect in my water supply - there are days when I run water off, even cold for the pet's water bowl (if it's very strong, the cat won't touch it) or my water filter, and I notice the increased smell of chlorine. I think I've always put it down either to 'topping up' day or some minor malfunction. Post diagnosis, I also wonder if it's a day when my smell sense is particularly irked. I'd have no knowledge of, or particular interest in, the real cause. I still need clean water and I only have access to one source.

    I stopped eating meat many years ago when my friend, a college trained Stockman, told me that farm animals are routinely fed antibiotics and steroids in their daily feed 'but there's no harm to the meat'.

    I figured it's a bit like the controversy over ASD and the MMR jab. No-one is looking anyway, and medicine, whilst it claims to know 'everything about everything' has historicaly held its' contemporary and immutible opinions even to the point of hounding critics to their death, so how do we know the truth?

    I can choose what to eat easier than I can choose what water to use, and I want to know that the water I use is safe. Even if I buy bottled, there can be risks (look it up) and, that's an expensive shower!

    There are, of course, risks associated with dirty water, with often damaging and fatal results. Whilst it's true that I don't know of the risk to my health posed by chlorine treatment of water, at my current state of knowledge it appears that chlorinated water poses far fewer, if any, health risks than dirty water does, so I'll accept chlorinated.It's even possible that if we think of a non-chemical way to sterilise water on an industrial scale, everybody will be glad to benefit.

    The rest I tolerate as best I can, I use soap nuts in my washing, and use Dermol cream for showering. Changed regularly, the water filter makes a big difference to my drinking water, and I think that I can live with what goes on the outside of my body if I'm taking care of the inside, and that's how I deal with it.

    Is that any help?

  • May 2015

    3 high Chlorine days

  • June 2015

    3 high Chlorine days

  • I have found that you can buy an inline filter that reduces chlorine and heavy metals in the water to the shower.  

    I saw one that looks like it screws into shower unit where the shower hose goes in, and then you screw the shower hose into the filter.  There was another one where the filter was incorporated into the shower head.  

    But I'd have a good look at what is available, by doing a seach, if buying one as some are quite expensive and have a look at how long they last, as they have to be replaced after a while.

    I wondered if using an anti-chlorine shower gel or shampoo would help, such as can be bought to use after swimming, and they are said to remove chlorine smells and molecules from hair and body.

  • JennyRobin said:

    I looked at my own water supplier and we don't get fluorine or chlorine here. 

    I looked at my water supplier's website (Anglian Water) as you suggested. They don't add Fluoride to the water (thankfully) but Chlorine is added to reach a level of 1 ppm (part per million) for sterilisation.

    The single most interesting fact amongst their information was that Chlorine reacts with rubber seals/washers in your pipe/hose fittings, such as taps, showers and washing machines.

    If Chlorine tastes/smells are irritating, they suggest replacing rubber washers with alternatives made from a different material and for washing machines & dishwashers fitting a "check valve" (AKA non-return valve) which prevents water molecules that've been in contact with part of a rubber hose wafting back from it, into the rest of your home's cold water pipework.

  • If you look at your water supply website, then they should be able to give you an analysis of your tap water and tell you if there is chlorine or other additives in it.  I looked at my own water supplier and we don't get fluorine or chlorine here.  

    But if you are noticing trace amounts from your water which can smell quite strong, either use a water filter, or buy bottled water to drink or to use in your kettle or for hot drinks.  

    If you can smell it in your shower, it could be because the hot water temperature makes it more noticeable, but please know that is only so the water is germ free to make sure you don't get ill from the water. Try to find a nice shower gel that helps to cover the smell.

  • April 2015

    0 high Chlorine days

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