Post-Sandy tap water?

MrBrongher · 11-08-2012, 12:58 PM

Has anyone done any testing or big water changes since the storm? I've misplaced my TDS meter. I actually have a 30 gallon I filled up before the hurricane (Just in case we lost water) that I've been using for small changes and top offs, but I'm hoping its time to relax.

If we just dosed extra chlorine I'm not too concerned, but if we had any sort of contamination I'd like to know about it beforehand not postmortem if possible.

Fuze · 11-08-2012, 01:35 PM

I did about a 40% last night, I am up here in Washington Heights. I think the nearest water treatment plant is around 125th St.

So far I have had no problems, I did not lose power during the hurricane or the little flurry last night.

I would say you are good to go.

ryu1 · 11-08-2012, 01:56 PM

I did a wc 2 days ago as usual, everything seems normal, but I did add a little more prime just in case from Queens.

MrBrongher · 11-08-2012, 08:29 PM

So, looks good. I'll update after my WC, probably tomorrowish, let people know if anything looks amiss.

Thanks guys!

chibikaie · 11-09-2012, 01:02 AM

I'm a little farther away, but no ill effects and I've changed at least 20 gallons since Sandy.

PlantedRich · 11-09-2012, 01:39 AM

I've worked hurricanes in the South and I would assume that your area water will be treated much the same. They have federal guidelines to follow on health. Keep in mind that the health department may be busy but they are still doing their jobs. They are also drinking the same water as everybody else. They are not out to poison folks.
What that means is the guys taking the water samples all around the system and sending them in for testing are still there. If the testing comes back that the water is bad, they put out the word not to drink the water. Heard of any boil water orders for your system? If not, the water is safe.
If the water smells like chlorine, it is because the test shows more is needed but it still will be within the safe limits and Prime, etc. is sure to handle it. If there is some sediment in the tap it is just logical that the pipes got a pretty good shaking. If you've got trees, cars, and houses floating around, is there any reason a bit of rust won't come off the inside of the pipes?
The water may look funny or smell funny but it is safe if they have not said otherwise. That rust is the same rust that the water runs through every day. It's just loose and coming to your house to stop up those little screens on faucets!

This is just a routine hurricane except that it is New YORK instead of New ORLEANS.
No better, no worse if you are ready for it.

MrBrongher · 11-09-2012, 02:31 AM

Maybe I'm overly cautious, maybe I misunderstand biology, but I think that the quality of water I can drink is less demanding than the water my fish are going to live in and breathe. Water goes down my gullet into an acid bath. For that matter, I can drink coca-cola, which is an acid bath. Try doing a water change with coke.

Don't get me wrong, I agree with your stance as it regards water potability for humans, I just don't think it's relevant to my concerns.

Maybe it's because I used the word "contaminated," I probably could have picked a better one there.

aokashi · 11-09-2012, 05:39 AM

I've changed my bettas water about 3 times since the hurricane. All 99% WCs. double dose of prime. seems to be ok

11-08-2012, 12:58 PM	#1
MrBrongher Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5/100%) Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Bronx, NY Posts: 185	Post-Sandy tap water? Has anyone done any testing or big water changes since the storm? I've misplaced my TDS meter. I actually have a 30 gallon I filled up before the hurricane (Just in case we lost water) that I've been using for small changes and top offs, but I'm hoping its time to relax. If we just dosed extra chlorine I'm not too concerned, but if we had any sort of contamination I'd like to know about it beforehand not postmortem if possible.

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11-08-2012, 01:35 PM	#2
Fuze Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: NYC Posts: 234	I did about a 40% last night, I am up here in Washington Heights. I think the nearest water treatment plant is around 125th St. So far I have had no problems, I did not lose power during the hurricane or the little flurry last night. I would say you are good to go.

11-08-2012, 01:56 PM	#3
ryu1 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (39/100%) Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New York Posts: 550	I did a wc 2 days ago as usual, everything seems normal, but I did add a little more prime just in case from Queens.

11-08-2012, 08:29 PM	#4
MrBrongher Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5/100%) Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Bronx, NY Posts: 185	So, looks good. I'll update after my WC, probably tomorrowish, let people know if anything looks amiss. Thanks guys!

11-09-2012, 01:02 AM	#5
chibikaie Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 509	I'm a little farther away, but no ill effects and I've changed at least 20 gallons since Sandy.

11-09-2012, 01:39 AM	#6
PlantedRich Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pflugerville, Tx Posts: 1,513	I've worked hurricanes in the South and I would assume that your area water will be treated much the same. They have federal guidelines to follow on health. Keep in mind that the health department may be busy but they are still doing their jobs. They are also drinking the same water as everybody else. They are not out to poison folks. What that means is the guys taking the water samples all around the system and sending them in for testing are still there. If the testing comes back that the water is bad, they put out the word not to drink the water. Heard of any boil water orders for your system? If not, the water is safe. If the water smells like chlorine, it is because the test shows more is needed but it still will be within the safe limits and Prime, etc. is sure to handle it. If there is some sediment in the tap it is just logical that the pipes got a pretty good shaking. If you've got trees, cars, and houses floating around, is there any reason a bit of rust won't come off the inside of the pipes? The water may look funny or smell funny but it is safe if they have not said otherwise. That rust is the same rust that the water runs through every day. It's just loose and coming to your house to stop up those little screens on faucets! This is just a routine hurricane except that it is New YORK instead of New ORLEANS. No better, no worse if you are ready for it.

11-09-2012, 02:31 AM	#7
MrBrongher Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5/100%) Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Bronx, NY Posts: 185	Maybe I'm overly cautious, maybe I misunderstand biology, but I think that the quality of water I can drink is less demanding than the water my fish are going to live in and breathe. Water goes down my gullet into an acid bath. For that matter, I can drink coca-cola, which is an acid bath. Try doing a water change with coke. Don't get me wrong, I agree with your stance as it regards water potability for humans, I just don't think it's relevant to my concerns. Maybe it's because I used the word "contaminated," I probably could have picked a better one there.

11-09-2012, 05:39 AM	#8
aokashi Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (12/100%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: New York, New York Posts: 1,431	I've changed my bettas water about 3 times since the hurricane. All 99% WCs. double dose of prime. seems to be ok