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Is it normal for Irish water representatives to take a filtered water sample?

  • 04-05-2017 6:55am
    #1
    armabelle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,017 ✭✭✭


    An Irish rep came to take a water sample from my kitchen sink a few months ago. They took the sample from the kitchen sink where there is a filter. Should they not have taken it from the mains? It makes very little sense to me why they would have done this. 


Comments

  • #2
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 17,728 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    What is the filter for? 


  • #3
    GT_TDI_150
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,917 ✭✭✭✭GT_TDI_150


    armabelle wrote: »
    An Irish rep came to take a water sample from my kitchen sink a few months ago. They took the sample from the kitchen sink where there is a filter. Should they not have taken it from the mains? It makes very little sense to me why they would have done this. 

    Did you tell them theres a filter?


  • #4
    armabelle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,017 ✭✭✭armabelle


    There is a carbon filter for the tap the water sample was collected from. When the lady came by she was the one that actually told me there was a filter on the kitchen sink because she checked chlorine levels and the results were 0 chlorine content. The Irish Water rep said: "There must be some filtration going on behind the kitchen sink". Before that I didn't know there was a filter. The reason why this is a concern for me is that the sample was collected from a tap that filters chlorine and from the problems we are having it seems like there is either too much chlorine in our water or some other contaminant that can be absorbed through the skin because we get sick from not only drinking but bathing in the water. Not all contaminants are absorbed this way (through the skin or via water vapour in the air from hot showers, chlorine is a prime suspect).

    The point is: How will this sample the lady took reveal or not reveal anything if it passes through a carbon filter?


  • #5
    armabelle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,017 ✭✭✭armabelle


    GT_TDI_150 wrote: »
    armabelle wrote: »
    An Irish rep came to take a water sample from my kitchen sink a few months ago. They took the sample from the kitchen sink where there is a filter. Should they not have taken it from the mains? It makes very little sense to me why they would have done this.Â

    Did you tell them theres a filter?
    I had no idea there was a filter there because it is hidden behind the counter fixing. The lady told me there was a filter because of the 0 chlorine content. She said that municipal water must have chlorine in it so there was a filter somewhere behind the counter. She took the sample anyway and at the time I had not thought twice about it.

    FYI she checked the chlorine content on site, I am still waiting for the complete results of the test she took but recently it dawned on me that when and if it does come, it may not be of any use.


  • #6
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 17,728 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    A sample from the bath tap would be more uselful so you'd imagine.
    If you think the water is problematic that your neighbours water etc would be too.

    What part of the country are you in?

    I worked in water treatment before and to be honest the water you are getting is no doubt within all specifications. Not saying it's not the cause of our sickness or anything.


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  • #7
    armabelle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,017 ✭✭✭armabelle


    Augeo wrote: »
    A sample from the bath tap would be more uselful so you'd imagine.
    If you think the water is problematic that your neighbours water etc would be too.

    What part of the country are you in?

    I worked in water treatment before and to be honest the water you are getting is no doubt within all specifications. Not saying it's not the cause of our sickness or anything.
    In Portlaoise. Wouldn't a sample from the tap outside have been more appropriate? That should be from the mains without any filtering. If it is a problem of supply wouldn't that sample have been the one to check?


  • #8
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 17,728 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    armabelle wrote: »
    Augeo wrote: »
    A sample from the bath tap would be more uselful so you'd imagine.
    If you think the water is problematic that your neighbours water etc would be too.

    What part of the country are you in?

    I worked in water treatment before and to be honest the water you are getting is no doubt within all specifications. Not saying it's not the cause of our sickness or anything.
    In Portlaoise. Wouldn't a sample from the tap outside have been more appropriate? That should be from the mains without any filtering. If it is a problem of supply wouldn't that sample have been the one to check?
    It seems your kitchen tap is filtered (drinking water)............ I doubt upstairs taps are filtered too. 


  • #9
    armabelle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,017 ✭✭✭armabelle


    Augeo wrote: »
    armabelle wrote: »
    Augeo wrote: »
    A sample from the bath tap would be more uselful so you'd imagine.
    If you think the water is problematic that your neighbours water etc would be too.

    What part of the country are you in?

    I worked in water treatment before and to be honest the water you are getting is no doubt within all specifications. Not saying it's not the cause of our sickness or anything.
    In Portlaoise. Wouldn't a sample from the tap outside have been more appropriate? That should be from the mains without any filtering. If it is a problem of supply wouldn't that sample have been the one to check?
    It seems your kitchen tap is filtered (drinking water)............ I doubt upstairs taps are filtered too. 
    no but they are softened


  • #10
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 17,728 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    armabelle wrote: »
    no but they are softened


    So?
    What other gadgets do you have in your home for water treatment? Carbon filter, softener so far revealed.


  • #11
    armabelle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,017 ✭✭✭armabelle


    Augeo wrote: »
    armabelle wrote: »
    no but they are softened


    So?
    What other gadgets do you have in your home for water treatment? Carbon filter, softener so far revealed.
    The question in the OP was if it is correct procedure to take a water sample that has been filtered. The rep new the water was filtered. The rep also new there was a softener. It was revealed then to her yet she took a sample anyway. How will we know if chlorine or other contaminants are causing an issue in our home if the rep took a filtered water sample?

    FYI chlorine does not get filtered by the water softener so she could have taken a sample there and I did suggest to her at the time but she said she only had one container to take one sample.


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  • #12
    ForstalDave
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 612 ✭✭✭ForstalDave


    you said you get sick from drinking, i assume that is what has them testing the Kitchen tap as that would be the main source of your drinking watter


  • #13
    armabelle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,017 ✭✭✭armabelle


    ForstalDave wrote: »
    you said you get sick from drinking, i assume that is what has them testing the Kitchen tap as that would be the main source of your drinking watter
    Yes it is true and you make a good point but we don't only get sick from drinking it. From showering or bathing in it and also if we use our water in a Vicks Vaporizer to humidify the room sure enough we get sick from breathing that air too. This is why chlorine is a suspect because it is released in water vapor where not all contaminants are. I read that certain contaminants are actually absorbed more through the skin & lungs than if drinking the water.


  • #14
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 17,728 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    armabelle wrote: »
    ........
    The question in the OP was if it is correct procedure to take a water sample .............
    It depends.
    If you have a problem with Chlorine than there's not much Irish Water can do. Has your ailments been root caused to Chlorine? 

    Ye must be sick 24/7 if bathing and showering in chlorinated water is the actual cause.


  • #15
    armabelle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,017 ✭✭✭armabelle


    Augeo wrote: »
    armabelle wrote: »
    ........
    The question in the OP was if it is correct procedure to take a water sample .............
    It depends.
    If you have a problem with Chlorine than there's not much Irish Water can do. Has your ailments been root caused to Chlorine? 

    Ye must be sick 24/7 if bathing and showering in chlorinated water is the actual cause.
    So who can do something about it? 

    24/7 sick, yes you could say that but we are not sick anymore since we don't touch the water anymore. The only thing we can't avoid is washing our clothes with the water in the washing machine. I wonder if that still causes some damage to the body long-term. For now, not bathing in the water and not drinking the water has meant that we are no longer ill 24/7 but buying such large quantities of bottled water and showering at the gym everyday is not a sustainable solution.


  • #16
    Stepping Stone
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 370 ✭✭Stepping Stone


    armabelle wrote: »
    Augeo wrote: »
    armabelle wrote: »
    ........
    The question in the OP was if it is correct procedure to take a water sample .............
    It depends.
    If you have a problem with Chlorine than there's not much Irish Water can do. Has your ailments been root caused to Chlorine? 

    Ye must be sick 24/7 if bathing and showering in chlorinated water is the actual cause.
    So who can do something about it? 

    24/7 sick, yes you could say that but we are not sick anymore since we don't touch the water anymore. The only thing we can't avoid is washing our clothes with the water in the washing machine. I wonder if that still causes some damage to the body long-term. For now, not bathing in the water and not drinking the water has meant that we are no longer ill 24/7 but buying such large quantities of bottled water and showering at the gym everyday is not a sustainable solution.
    This makes no sense though. You say that the chlorine from the tap water that you were drinking makes you sick, but you then say that the filter on the kitchen tap removes all chlorine. The water at the gym will also contain chlorine.

    As for the sampling, they will take a sample at the kitchen sink only. Outside taps are too easily contaminated and cannot be relied upon for accurate readings and all other taps may be fed from the hot tank, so they also cannot be relied upon. There would be nowhere else to sample and they were informing you of the filter to explain the low chlorine results.

    I see that they have said that the water is fine on another thread, so it could be an internal plumbing issue and Irish Water are only responsible for getting good quality water to your property. Once it is past the boundary, it is on you to deal with it. The other cause is possibly something unrelated to water. 

    You probably need to pay for private water tests to see what is wrong (if anything) with the water coming from your taps.


  • #17
    gctest50
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,605 ✭✭✭gctest50


    armabelle wrote: »
    ...................... I read that certain contaminants are actually absorbed more through the skin & lungs than if drinking the water.

    PAH is probably what you are thinking about


  • #18
    jackboy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,844 ✭✭✭jackboy


    armabelle wrote: »
    So who can do something about it? 

    24/7 sick, yes you could say that but we are not sick anymore since we don't touch the water anymore. The only thing we can't avoid is washing our clothes with the water in the washing machine. I wonder if that still causes some damage to the body long-term. For now, not bathing in the water and not drinking the water has meant that we are no longer ill 24/7 but buying such large quantities of bottled water and showering at the gym everyday is not a sustainable solution.
    One thing you need to check is that filter under the sink. If you didn't know about it then it may not have been serviced in years. This is very dangerous and could be the cause of your sickness.


  • #19
    armabelle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,017 ✭✭✭armabelle


    jackboy wrote: »
    armabelle wrote: »
    So who can do something about it? 

    24/7 sick, yes you could say that but we are not sick anymore since we don't touch the water anymore. The only thing we can't avoid is washing our clothes with the water in the washing machine. I wonder if that still causes some damage to the body long-term. For now, not bathing in the water and not drinking the water has meant that we are no longer ill 24/7 but buying such large quantities of bottled water and showering at the gym everyday is not a sustainable solution.
    One thing you need to check is that filter under the sink. If you didn't know about it then it may not have been serviced in years. This is very dangerous and could be the cause of your sickness.
    Thanks! I thought about that and the water softener repair person mentioned that. That could very well be the problem if that was the only tap dispensing toxic water but isn't. All the taps do.


  • #20
    armabelle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,017 ✭✭✭armabelle


    gctest50 wrote: »
    armabelle wrote: »
    ...................... I read that certain contaminants are actually absorbed more through the skin & lungs than if drinking the water.

    PAH is probably what you are thinking about
    I was thinking about chlorine but it could be what you mention, I just suspect chlorine because it is usually the offender in water and the rash my kid got on his feet looks like a chlorine rash spot on. Apparently, chlorine is absorbed through the skin and lungs more than via the digestive system.


  • #21
    armabelle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,017 ✭✭✭armabelle


    Stepping Stone wrote: »
    armabelle wrote: »
    Augeo wrote: »
    armabelle wrote: »
    ........
    The question in the OP was if it is correct procedure to take a water sample .............
    It depends.
    If you have a problem with Chlorine than there's not much Irish Water can do. Has your ailments been root caused to Chlorine? 

    Ye must be sick 24/7 if bathing and showering in chlorinated water is the actual cause.
    So who can do something about it? 

    24/7 sick, yes you could say that but we are not sick anymore since we don't touch the water anymore. The only thing we can't avoid is washing our clothes with the water in the washing machine. I wonder if that still causes some damage to the body long-term. For now, not bathing in the water and not drinking the water has meant that we are no longer ill 24/7 but buying such large quantities of bottled water and showering at the gym everyday is not a sustainable solution.
    This makes no sense though. You say that the chlorine from the tap water that you were drinking makes you sick, but you then say that the filter on the kitchen tap removes all chlorine. The water at the gym will also contain chlorine.

    As for the sampling, they will take a sample at the kitchen sink only. Outside taps are too easily contaminated and cannot be relied upon for accurate readings and all other taps may be fed from the hot tank, so they also cannot be relied upon. There would be nowhere else to sample and they were informing you of the filter to explain the low chlorine results.

    I see that they have said that the water is fine on another thread, so it could be an internal plumbing issue and Irish Water are only responsible for getting good quality water to your property. Once it is past the boundary, it is on you to deal with it. The other cause is possibly something unrelated to water. 

    You probably need to pay for private water tests to see what is wrong (if anything) with the water coming from your taps.

    All the water from all the taps makes us ill. I don't know if it is all the same toxin from all the taps and I really don't know if it is because of chlorine. I was only speculating and trying to think about what it could be.

    I think you are right about that, private water test is the only way forward.


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  • #22
    TheChizler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,514 ✭✭✭TheChizler


    How do you know it's all the taps? Unless you systematically avoided all the taps bar one for a number of days or weeks you couldn't know if that one was an issue or not. Even then it could still be something else in the house.

    Best to get each source of water privately tested for peace of mind.


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