RE: [GBlist] What type of cistern <rainwater?>

[JOHN SALMEN <terrain@shaw.ca>]

there are two standards for potability in water storage and delivery for
plastic components; one is ANSI/NSF standard 14 which covers performance and
the other is a NSF pw mark which means it meets NSF standard 61. For a
potable water storage tank virgin resin typically means some form of
unrecycled or unadulterated polyethylene resin used to produce a hdpe (high
density polyethylene plastic). Reference to the actual standards however is
a better indicator of what is being used in the tanks manufacture.

Polyethylene resins are supposed to be inert when it comes to water but
there has been increasing concern and a lot of debate about the leaching of
hormone disruptors. Concern has mostly focused on leaching found from
polycarbonate and ldpe containers and liners.  I think the epa's current
position is that everything is o.k. and that products that meet the two
standards listed are safe.  I personally feel quite cautious but have few
alternatives to offer. I personally like the use of concrete cisterns as
they have been in use for so long and the materials themselves work well
with water - however you have to be more than reasonably assured about the
materials used. Not just the concrete but also the form release materials,
etc.



[JOHN SALMEN]



 -----Original Message-----
From: Bion D. Howard [mailto:bdhoward@ix.netcom.com]
Sent: September 29, 2002 1:53 PM
To: greenbuilding@crest.org
Cc: robina@ntelos.net
Subject: [GBlist] What type of cistern <rainwater?>



** Please reply to= "robina" <mailto:robina@ntelos.net>

Greenbuilding list, could anyone help this person with the question below?
They do not participate in the list to my knowledge.

- Thanks, Bion Howard

>>>>

From: "robina" <robina@ntelos.net>
To: <info@energybuilder.com>
Subject: What type of cistern?
Date: Sat, 28 Sep 2002 16:53:11 -0400

I am in the process of new construction. I am told that I will need a
cistern tank to hold water. I want the tank to be safe and free of chemicals
and pollutants. Please suggest the safest material to use for this tank.
Norwesco offers a 1 piece molded below ground tank made of 100% virgin
resin. What is that and is it safe? I can buy a cement tank but I am
concerned about the chemical additives. Your help would be much appreciated
as I must make this decision this week.
I thank you in advance.
Robin

<<<<




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______________________________________________________________________
This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by REPP/CREST, creator of
Solstice http://www.crest.org, and BuildingGreen, Inc., publisher of
Environmental Building News and GreenSpec http://www.BuildingGreen.com
______________________________________________________________________