Asbestos in the Water Supply

Asbestos Contaminated Water

Asbestos was widely used in water systems for most of the 20th century. These systems can crack and degrade over time, increasing the risk of asbestos contaminating the water supply.

At certain levels, asbestos in the water supply can pose a health risk to the general public. The World Health Organization says most U.S. residents drink water with low levels of asbestos. Water at these lower levels is unlikely to harm health.

If drinking water has too much asbestos, suppliers must notify customers within 30 days. If you know your risk and how to handle contaminated water, you could avoid lifelong health issues. Conditions related to asbestos exposure include malignant mesothelioma and other cancers.

How Does Asbestos Get into Water?

Many water system pipes built in the early to mid-1900s included asbestos in the concrete and cement. Asbestos cement pipes are still found in many homes built before the 1980s. The average lifespan of asbestos pipes is about 70 years.

Asbestos cement pipes comprise 12% to 15% of U.S. drinking water systems. They are also used in Europe, Australia and Japan. Pipes can fail due to weather, demolition or rust. This often happens in abandoned or neglected buildings without inspections. As pipes fail, asbestos fibers can seep into the water supply.

Asbestos fibers do not dissolve in water or evaporate into the air. However, small fibers can be carried by wind or water over long distances. They may eventually settle in soil or contaminate water supplies.

Exposure in Landfills, External Water Supplies

Asbestos is often found in landfills and construction sites. It can also build up during landslides. For instance, the active and slow-moving Swift Creek Landslide in Washington carries asbestos fibers. This contaminates over 120,000 cubic yards of sediment each year.

After natural disasters, cleanup teams often demolish buildings to remove debris. In cases like fires, hurricanes and tornadoes, exposed materials can be a problem. They might release asbestos fibers into water sources.

Pollution in rivers, streams and lakes can contaminate drinking water. Contractors removing asbestos concrete risk making it crumble if it’s brittle or damaged. Rainwater on asbestos roofs or pipes can also pollute drinking water.

Older construction materials made with asbestos prior to the 1980s include:

• Siding shingles
• Insulation
• Textured paint and patching
• Artificial ashes and embers used in fireplaces
• Vinyl floor tiles
• Vinyl sheet flooring
• Stovetop pads
• Walls and floors around woodburning stoves
• Hot water and steam pipes
• Oil and coal furnaces

Water treatment plants have several ways to detect and remove asbestos from drinking water. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency monitors these methods.

How Water Treatment Plants Combat Contamination

Research shows most U.S. water consumers are safe from toxic asbestos levels. However, some groups are at risk of 10 times the normal exposure amount because of natural erosion, mining, landfill issues or crumbling asbestos materials.

The size of asbestos fibers depends on their source. Asbestos cement in water typically contains fibers that are 4 micrometers long. In contrast, fibers from natural erosion are usually 1 micrometer long.

The Environmental Protection Agency, via the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, has set a limit of 7 million fibers per liter in water. Experts deemed this level safe, based on the best science available.

Removing Asbestos From Water

Reverse osmosis systems are the top choice for getting rid of asbestos in water. They push water through a membrane using pressure. Water usually moves toward areas of higher concentration. But in reverse osmosis, it moves to less concentrated areas.

Any water treatment system that uses reverse osmosis filters that are 1 micron or smaller will reduce the vast majority of asbestos in water. This includes microfiltration, ultrafiltration or nanofiltration.

Advanced water treatment plants can filter out 99.99% of asbestos fibers using granular media. Yet, they must manage pH with precision and conduct a thorough check of turbidity.

According to the EPA, the most effective means of asbestos removal is a diatomaceous earth filter coated with aluminum hydroxide and used at 0.10 NTU water turbidity. Newer research is experimenting with magnesium oxide and other filtration methods that do not produce as much sludge byproduct as chemical coagulation methods.

Right now, filtration systems are doing well in removing asbestos from water before it hits taps. Yet, to stop future contamination, we need to replace more asbestos pipes.

Tech companies are now finding ways to spot systems needing repair or replacement. These companies want to do this before the systems become a risk to the community. Some have even replaced up to 15 miles of asbestos piping in a year.

Meanwhile, there are steps individuals can take to address contaminated water in their homes. They should also report it to the proper authorities.

Tips on Dealing with Contaminated Water

If you fear your water may be toxic because of a recent disaster or nearby contaminants, you can take steps to assess the risk and protect your health.

Most importantly, you should identify the source of the contaminated water. Damage to the water supply can be broken pipelines that may introduce sewage and stormwater into clean water. This is typical after a natural disaster such as a hurricane or tropical storm.

If the water is cloudy, dark or smells odd, assume it’s contaminated. Immediately stop using it for drinking or cooking.

Before natural disasters, it’s a good idea to store water in coolers or freezers. This will provide clean water if the running water becomes unusable.

The easiest way to stay safe from contaminated water is to invest in water filtration. There are many types that either attach to a faucet or store water in pitchers. There are also options that are installed for the entire household water system.

Check what contaminants each filtration system removes. Not all systems filter the same toxins and every home is unique. The needed filter depends on the risk of specific contaminants.

Some families store bottled water to prepare for a long time without potable water. Knowing your home’s asbestos exposure risk will keep your family safe. This is until we can eliminate asbestos in the water.

How to Report Water Contaminated with Asbestos

The Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act is a federal law that requires facilities in certain industries to report annually on their release of certain chemicals.

You can call the Community Right-to-Know Hotline to report asbestos risks or ask about contamination. For any questions or concerns, you can reach out to your water utility.

The EPA mandates all community water systems to create and share an annual water quality report by July 1. If you use a private water supply, please ask a nearby system for a copy.

Guidelines for Enhanced Management of Asbestos in Water at Ordered Demolitions

The EPA has set up Enhanced Management Practices to stop asbestos release during building demolitions. State and local rules form the basis of these guidelines. They are for owners, operators, contractors and agencies.

The guidelines recommend removing accessible asbestos before demolition. This is crucial because demolition can make it airborne. A water spray controls most dust and keeps fibers down. However, this water can also spread asbestos to other areas.

The EPA also provides a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Construction Stormwater program. It aims to teach workers how to keep contaminated water on site and limit asbestos fiber spread.

Water from demolition materials can carry asbestos fibers off-site. This happens when it acts as a slurry and later evaporates. The EPA has pinpointed EMPs in two areas: Planning for resource allocation and policies for demolition and site cleanup.

Before demolition, a checklist is used to verify appropriate water management at the site. Among other safe practices, the checklist confirms:

• A certified asbestos inspector has examined the site
• The EMPs account for the surface and soil types at the site
• Sufficient resources have been allocated to all stages of cleanup and remediation

Field EMPs utilize special supplies and equipment to control pollutants after demolition. This prevents them from entering the environment. Their tools include barriers, berms, absorbent materials, covers and vacuum trucks.

Certified personnel carry out regular inspections during demolition. At the same time, teams use satellite imagery and radar to prepare for geographical and weather issues.

Asbestos in Groundwater Regulations

Groundwater is water found in soil and rocks below the surface. Several naturally occurring minerals, along with asbestos, are measured for their concentrations in groundwater.

Federal groundwater regulations monitor wells for asbestos. It must be above 7 million fibers per liter for fibers longer than 10 micrometers.

Asbestos in groundwater can stick to walls, floors and plants. When the water dries up, it releases harmful fibers into the air. These airborne fibers pose health risks both inside and outside.

New research shows asbestos fibers can move through sand and soil. This challenges the idea that covering asbestos waste with soil makes it safe. Furthermore, organic acids from plants, fungi and bacteria boost the movement of these fibers in soil.

Asbestos in water poses a constant risk. Consuming it can lead to peritoneal mesothelioma or other severe abdominal issues.

Being mindful of the EPA regulations can reduce concerns and increase preparedness. With the right knowledge and precautions, you can detect and manage potential asbestos exposure in your home’s water supply.

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Resources for Water Supply Safety

CDC.gov: The Safe Water System

CDC.gov: Water emergencies and outbreaks

WHO.int: Statistics on Safe Drinking Water

WHO.int: Water Safety and Quality

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