Heavymetals

[shambo]

I was talking to my friends about their New homestead.  They have property smack dab in the middle of a  old mining town and their sight is actually on the old smelter.  Its in the Co rockies. They said there was active mining at around fifty years ago.  .  They have a stream on their property and has fish in it, so its not poisoned but has heavy metal in it.  What can you recommend for water filtration?

[theberkeyguy]

I was talking to my friends about their New homestead.  They have property smack dab in the middle of a  old mining town and their sight is actually on the old smelter.  Its in the Co rockies. They said there was active mining at around fifty years ago.  .  They have a stream on their property and has fish in it, so its not poisoned but has heavy metal in it.  What can you recommend for water filtration?

Heavy metals are difficult to remove from the water, but having said that, I would still have a Berkey System on hand for use with another source of water. 

theberkeyguy

[SnoHam13]

Heavy metals are difficult to remove from the water, but having said that, I would still have a Berkey System on hand for use with another source of water. 

theberkeyguy

 would this be the same issue for iron
oldest son lives up on the iron range in Mn. and the water is loaded with iron
the well test safe for bacteria and is working fine
also the locals deal with what is called septic cysts and was wondering if is a water issue
at this point they are drinking bottled water
but if SHTF that wont last long
one thought is catching rain water and filtering with a berkey
what are your thoughts

SnoHam13

[theberkeyguy]

Yes, it  removes Iron sediment but not what is water soluble.

theberkeyguy

[16onRockandRoll]

What about uranium contamination?

[theberkeyguy]

From the testing done at this time, I do not see any claims on its removal.

I expect new testing in 2015, which hopefully will have that contaminant.

theberkeyguy

[endurance]

From an environmental remediation perspective, the best way to remove heavy metals is to lime the water first.  Generally the heavy metals are held in suspension because of the acidity of the water.  If you add lime the metals come out of suspension and can be readily removed.

That said, I don't have a clue how you'd apply this to drinking water rather than just large scale remediation.  I know the Climax mine near Leadville uses a liming process to clean up their tailings effluent to meet EPA regulations.