Water Quality here

[The Zapadora]

As a matter of interest, does anyone know what IDAAN adds to the water supply ( if anything) here to clean it. In many countries ( US, UK etc ) Flouride was added , then varying amounts of Chlorine. Chlorine ( as in bleach) has been found in ALL the water supplies tested recently in the US and this chemical is a proven carcinogen. Do filters take this out?
Any ideas?

[Judy Sacco]

See my comment on boquete.org. IDAAN doesn't control the water here. You need to take care of your own water purification with filters and UV, or boiling. Chlorine is found in all the water supplies in the US, because it is intentionally added (this has been done for over 100 years) to kill bacteria.

[The Zapadora]

Yes ...I am over in Potrerillos and they have both IDAAN and Town water..I am on the IDAAN line.( unfortunately!)..I can't imagine them adding anything to the water that would actually cost them something, they can barely maintain the sysytem as it is...so I am not that worried about it. I am going to have the water tested anyway just to see. I know you can take it to the Municipio in Boquete and I assume one of those other labs will do it too.

[Linda McKee & Eric Carlson]

I have been very concerned about water quality also. Have you found out anything? Where did you takeit for testing?

[Judy Sacco]

Contact Jerry Wager. He has done extensive water testing all over, and he sells the water testing kits for bacteria. He can tell you where to take the water sample for testing for other things.
Sorry I don't have his email address, but maybe somebody else does.

[The Zapadora]

Yes I know Jerry and see him about all the time. I hear you can take it to the Municipio as well. and the labs in town.

[Lee Zeltzer]

Water water water. Under the terms of the loan from the World Bank to Panama they will be chlorinating all water supplies. If you wish to remove chlorine use an activated charcoal filter.

Adding chlorine is good to kill bacteria, removing it before you drink the water is also good. If your water is not chlorinated Jerry's previous testing has shown high bacterial content at least in Jaramillo water. So either UV it, microfilter it or boil it.

[The Zapadora]

Right...got it..Thanks. The studies coming out re Chlorine and Cancer are VERY bad so...I think I'll go the filter route..its just trying to find something that makes sense given that I am renting...I have already single handedly built the water system for this house ,as in actually getting water to the house..the owner has absolutely no interest in fixing or doing anything ..no threats, begging, witholding, demanding,crying work....nada...so its up to me to work this out.

[Judy Sacco]

For total assurance, boil your filtered drinking water. I have been doing this for a couple of months. Not only do I know the water is safe, but it tastes better. Without going into a discussion of disgusting bodily functions, those are working better too, since I have been drinking boiled water.

[The Zapadora]

Got it!..Thanks...you know, I drink tea so I generally boil it...Thank God I was raised on the stuff!!!