Posted on 01/16/2016 2:08:15 PM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist
Bingo! The solution to the problem was simple. The problem was not the intake water but plumbing containing lead. If the water is acidic it can "mobilize" the lead in the plumbing and thus put it in solution. All they had to do is make the water mildly basic with sodium bicarbonate or other harmless chemicals. Thus the lead would not mobilize.
The real problem is idiots in charge!
I forgot to add that the short term exposure to “excessive” lead is not a problem. Lead poisoning at those levels is a long term problem as it is a cumulative effect. Even though the “water guys” in Flint are chemical idiots, they harmed not one person. They should really take a few courses of Inorganic chemistry before they are allowed to serve a glass of water in a fast food joint much less be in charge of Flint’s water system.
This is really not rocket science but is high school chemistry.
And I am sure the water treatment folks and local political structure is all white...
“... became contaminated after the city in 2014 switched its water supply to the Flint River while a pipeline to Lake Huron is under construction. The corrosive water lacked adequate treatment and caused lead to leach from old pipes in homes, schools and elsewhere.”
Sounds like the Flint “homies” caused the problem. Sounds like the Mayor’s “bro” over at the water department didn’t get adequate education during his stay with the state.
All of my house was galvanized, including the connection pipe under the yard until 10 yr ago. Then all of the hot water has gone to copper with silver solder and the inlet to copper too. Now some PEX (which may be questionable).
The house has old lead paint, but the kids never ate any so they turned out fine. Same with whatever small amounts of asbestos that are present.
Bernie is Brooklyn born and raised. He has NYC values.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.