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Students, teacher identify lead in some local water

April 20, 2022 by Michael Howell

Community Health Project: Looking for lead and nitrate pollution in the Bitterroot

This past spring semester, Bitterroot College students in an Environmental Science Class have been busy. They took on a Community Health Project that involved checking on the water quality not only in their own homes, but in local schools, other public buildings, the city’s water treatment facility, the Bitterroot River and some tributaries. A total of 40 water samples were collected and analyzed for nitrate and lead, according to George Furniss, a hydro-geologist professor at the college who teaches the class. 

Furniss said that he came up with $500 to fund the project and told the students they would have to choose between looking for nutrient pollution or looking for lead pollution. To his surprise and delight, he said, “A student came in later with a $500 donation and said, ‘let’s do them both,’ so we did.”

RS Aesthetics
As a Community Health Project, students of George Furniss’ Environmental Sciences class at the Bitterroot College have documented a significant amount of lead in some drinking water and along some roadsides in the Bitterroot possibly graveled with old mine tailings.

According to Furniss, the results of the project did not turn up any serious problems with nitrate pollution, but some of the lead results do raise some serious concerns and in his opinion merit further study. 

Twenty of the samples were used to measure Nitrate plus Nitrite in drinking water and 20 were used to measure lead in drinking water and to detect lead leachable to water in road materials.

Sixteen homes were tested, mostly occupied by Bitterroot College students and their families. Thirteen of the homes were found to contain Nitrate plus Nitrite in a range of 0.11 to 1.76 mg/L, (mg/L is the same as ppm). The State recommendations are that all drinking water should be less than 15 ppm with respect to Nitrate plus Nitrite.

“So all the homes we tested are easily far below the danger level,” said Furniss.  Three of the homes tested found no detectable levels of Nitrate plus Nitrite. “Those results are even better,” said Furniss. The drinking fountain at Bitterroot College (Hamilton City water supply) was tested and found to have 0.31 ppm Nitrate plus Nitrite.

Three samples were used as quality control and quality assurance that were duplicates of each other and or were blanks of distilled water. 

Six homes and six public buildings were tested for lead. One of the homes was found to be in the red danger level for lead with 77 parts per billion (ppb) lead, which means action should be taken to remove old lead plumbing before using water and in any case the faucets should be flushed for at least three minutes before drinking or cooking with the water. One home is in the take-action level at 6 ppb lead, which means the problem should be fixed or at a minimum water should be flushed from the pipes daily or any time before drinking or using for cooking. Two homes are in the warning zone at 1 and 2 ppb for lead. Lead should not be above 1 ppb, especially if children are exposed to drinking the water. Two of the homes tested were non-detectable for lead in the water.

 Test results indicate a school building at Corvallis was 7 ppb lead, which means action should be taken to fix the problem or the water should be flushed daily, and every time before drinking. Test results indicate a school building at Hamilton was 15 ppb lead, and should be shut down if it is used for drinking water. A public church at Grandsdale tested 4 ppb lead and should be fixed or flushed daily and always flushed for three minutes before being used for drinking or for cooking. 

The water discharge to the Bitterroot River from the Hamilton Water Treatment (sewer) Plant was tested and found to be 1 ppb lead. Lead levels discharged to the river should never be above 1 ppb. 

In addition, a combination of six stream sediments and gravel road base materials were tested to look for leachable non-point-source lead pollution that could be reaching the Bitterroot River.

The 2014 TMDL report from Montana Department of Environmental Quality identified lead levels above standards for lead in the Bitterroot River downstream of Stevensville but after thorough investigation identified no source for the lead. 

“With no explanation so far by anyone as to where the lead pollution is coming from,” said Furniss. “So we decided to try investigating.” He said there was one public comment in the TMDL report that offered a clue. It suggested that the lead could be leaching from gravels from the Curlew Mine that were used for road materials.

“Combined with some eyewitness reports about Curlew Mine gravels being used for road work in the area we decided to look into it,” said Furniss.

Using a Shake Flask method to determine if lead could be leaching from these stream and road materials and reaching the Bitterroot River, they found that three of the samples contained strong leachable lead signatures ranging from 12 ppb to 68 ppb lead, well above the estimated 6 ppb to 7 ppb background level for valley gravels mined in the valley for the purpose of road materials.

“This Shake Flask method is a qualitative measure and the lead leaching levels could actually be enormous because of the tonnage of sediments and road materials involved,” said Furniss.  

The highest levels of lead were found along Indian Prairie Road and Meridian Road located near the mine in Victor.

One sediment sample was non-detectable for lead. For quality assurance, distilled water was used in a couple of samples and obtained a non-detectable result for lead from the lab analysis, which is expected.

“We found a significant amount of lead in the roads in the area of this abandoned mine,” said Furniss. “So we have documented the presence of lead in the area but we have still not identified the source.” He said further analysis would be needed to get a fingerprint for the lead samples and see if it matches the make-up of the ore at the Curlew Mine. 

Energy Laboratories at Helena was used to analyze all of the samples. The total cost was $1000, all paid for by donations from students, faculty, and community members.

A video of the sampling and testing of the roadside samples is available on YouTube under the title A Community Project at https://youtu.be/ZkM2lop09FI

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Republican Women

May 24 @ 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Republican Women

Ravalli County Republican Women’s Club will hold its monthly meeting and lunch on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at 11:30 a.m at BJ’s Restaurant in Hamilton. Candidates for HD86, SD43 and […]

3 events, 25

2021-10-27

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Chapter One Zoom With the Author Book Club

May 25 @ 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Chapter One Zoom With the Author Book Club

In May we are visiting with author, Janet Skeslein Charles, about her novel, The Paris Library.  Join us May 25 at 6pm MST via Zoom to speak with Janet about her historical […]

Free
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Recurring

Quantum Group of the Bitterroot

May 25 @ 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Recurring

Quantum Group of the Bitterroot

The Quantum Group of the Bitterroot invites you to attend its monthly meetings. You needn't have knowledge of quantum physics to enjoy learning about this exciting field of science that […]

1 event, 26

2021-10-27

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

2 events, 27

2021-10-27

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Chapter One Story Time!

May 27 @ 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Chapter One Story Time!

Join Chapter One for a magical story time of reading, crafting and of course snacking!  Our theme for this story hour is Onesie Party!  Feel free to wear your favorite […]

Free

3 events, 28

2021-10-27

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

2022-05-28

Women Only Introduction to Defensive Handguns class

Women Only Introduction to Defensive Handguns class

Recurring
May 28 Recurring

Women Only Introduction to Defensive Handguns class

May 28 & June 25  2022 Whittecar Rifle Range  This 2 day course is for women with little or no experience with handguns, who may be frightened of handguns or […]

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Recurring

St. Francis of Assisi Parish Mass

May 28 @ 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Recurring

St. Francis of Assisi Parish Mass

Join us for Mass every Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday at 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Mission church St. Philip in Darby every Sunday at 11:00 a.m.

Free

2 events, 29

2021-10-27

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Recurring

St. Francis of Assisi Parish Mass

May 29 @ 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Recurring

St. Francis of Assisi Parish Mass

Join us for Mass every Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday at 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Mission church St. Philip in Darby every Sunday at 11:00 a.m.

Free

3 events, 30

2021-10-27

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Memorial Day BBQ

May 30 @ 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Memorial Day BBQ

“Honoring the Fallen on Memorial Day” barbecue for veterans, families and the Florence community, on Monday, May 30th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bread & Roses facility, 1 […]

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Victor Heritage Museum opening

May 30 @ 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Victor Heritage Museum opening

The Victor Heritage Museum will open for its Summer Season Memorial Day, May 30, 2022, 1pm to 4pm. It will be open during this summer from 1pm through 4pm, Tuesday […]

2 events, 31

2021-10-27

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Recurring

Socrates Cafe’ Philosophical Discussion Group

May 31 @ 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Recurring

Socrates Cafe’ Philosophical Discussion Group

The Socrates Cafe' Philosophical Discussion Group welcomes you for a night of inspiring talks on topics ranging from philosophy to social issues to current events. It's a time of social […]

Free

2 events, 1

2021-10-27

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Recurring

Coffee with the Mayor

June 1 @ 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Recurring

Coffee with the Mayor

Coffee with the Mayor, First Tuesday of Each Month 9:00 am at CJ's Den, 324 Main Street.  Opportunity for Stevensville Residents to Informally Meet with the Mayor, ask Questions, Express […]

1 event, 2

2021-10-27

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

2 events, 3

2021-10-27

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

2:00 PM - 6:00 PM Recurring

Lolo Farmers Market

June 3 @ 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM Recurring

Lolo Farmers Market

Fridays June 3rd - September 30th Time:  2-6 pm  Lolo Community Center    12345 Hwy 93 South   Rental Booth Cost: $15  For more information and to sign up for […]

4 events, 4

2021-10-27

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

2022-06-04

Certified Pre-owned Pet Sale

Certified Pre-owned Pet Sale

June 4

Certified Pre-owned Pet Sale

Cats, kittens, dogs, puppies and more....oh my!  BRHA doesn’t like to brag, but they have the most awesome pets you’ll ever find and they are just waiting for their new […]

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Recurring

St. Francis of Assisi Parish Mass

June 4 @ 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Recurring

St. Francis of Assisi Parish Mass

Join us for Mass every Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday at 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Mission church St. Philip in Darby every Sunday at 11:00 a.m.

Free
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Lions Club at Non-Profit Fair

June 4 @ 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Lions Club at Non-Profit Fair

Eye glasses and hearing aids can be recycled at the Lions Club booth during the Spring Into Summer event, June 4th at the 1st Interstate Building, from 10 a.m. to […]

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

May 1 @ 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Recurring

St. Francis of Assisi Parish Mass

May 1 @ 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Recurring

Coffee with the Mayor

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

May 2 @ 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Recurring

FILM: Filmmaking Skatepark Style

May 2 @ 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Recurring

DESIGN: Character Sculpting with ZBrush

May 2 @ 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Recurring

TECH: The World of After Effects

May 2 @ 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Recurring

MUSIC: Music All Around You

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

May 3 @ 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Recurring

MUSIC: Music All Around You

May 3 @ 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Recurring

FILM: Filmmaking Skatepark Style

May 3 @ 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Recurring

DESIGN: Character Sculpting with ZBrush

May 3 @ 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Recurring

TECH: The World of After Effects

May 3 @ 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Sons of Norway

+ 1 More
October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

May 5 @ 5:00 PM - May 6 @ 7:00 PM

Bitter Root Humane Assn. Day of Giving

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

May 5 @ 5:00 PM - May 6 @ 7:00 PM

Bitter Root Humane Assn. Day of Giving

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

May 7 @ 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Recurring

St. Francis of Assisi Parish Mass

May 7 @ 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Recurring

Pachyderm Club

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

May 8 @ 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Recurring

St. Francis of Assisi Parish Mass

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

May 9 @ 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Rotary Club

May 9 @ 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Recurring

TECH: The World of After Effects

May 9 @ 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Recurring

MUSIC: Music All Around You

May 9 @ 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Recurring

FILM: Filmmaking Skatepark Style

May 9 @ 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Recurring

DESIGN: Character Sculpting with ZBrush

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

May 10 @ 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Recurring

DESIGN: Character Sculpting with ZBrush

May 10 @ 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Recurring

TECH: The World of After Effects

May 10 @ 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Recurring

MUSIC: Music All Around You

May 10 @ 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Recurring

FILM: Filmmaking Skatepark Style

May 10 @ 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Stevensville School Board

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

May 11 @ 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Celebrating the Law with NVPL

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

All day

Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Rendezvous

May 12 @ 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Soroptimist

May 12 @ 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Candidate meet and greet

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

All day

Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Rendezvous

May 13 @ 12:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Ribbon Cutting at groWise be Well

May 13 @ 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM Recurring

Hamilton Gun Show

May 13 @ 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Chapter One Story Time!

May 13 @ 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Meet The Candidates

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

All day

Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Rendezvous

May 14 @ 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Recurring

Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser

May 14 @ 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Multi-Family Yard Sale

May 14 @ 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Recurring

St. Francis of Assisi Parish Mass

May 14 @ 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Recurring

Hamilton Gun Show

May 14 @ 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM Recurring

Culture Crawl Art Walk

+ 1 More
October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

May 15 @ 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Recurring

St. Francis of Assisi Parish Mass

May 15 @ 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Recurring

Hamilton Gun Show

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

May 16 @ 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Rotary Club

May 16 @ 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Recurring

Parkinson’s Disease Support Group

May 16 @ 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Recurring

DESIGN: Character Sculpting with ZBrush

May 16 @ 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Recurring

TECH: The World of After Effects

May 16 @ 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Recurring

MUSIC: Music All Around You

+ 1 More
October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

May 17 @ 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Recurring

DESIGN: Character Sculpting with ZBrush

May 17 @ 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Recurring

TECH: The World of After Effects

May 17 @ 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Recurring

MUSIC: Music All Around You

May 17 @ 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Recurring

FILM: Filmmaking Skatepark Style

May 17 @ 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Recurring

Socrates Cafe’ Philosophical Discussion Group

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

May 19 @ 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Back Country Horsemen

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

May 20 @ 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Recurring

Pachyderm Club

May 20 @ 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

North Valley Library program

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

All day

Wilderness Skills Weekend 2022

May 21 @ 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Recurring

St. Francis of Assisi Parish Mass

May 21 @ 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Free Ropes Challenge Course Community Day

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

All day

Wilderness Skills Weekend 2022

May 22 @ 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Recurring

St. Francis of Assisi Parish Mass

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

May 24 @ 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Republican Women

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

May 25 @ 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Chapter One Zoom With the Author Book Club

May 25 @ 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Recurring

Quantum Group of the Bitterroot

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

May 27 @ 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Chapter One Story Time!

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

All day Recurring

Women Only Introduction to Defensive Handguns class

May 28 @ 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Recurring

St. Francis of Assisi Parish Mass

May 29
May 29 @ 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Recurring

St. Francis of Assisi Parish Mass

May 30
May 30 @ 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Memorial Day BBQ

May 30 @ 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Victor Heritage Museum opening

May 31
May 31 @ 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Recurring

Socrates Cafe’ Philosophical Discussion Group

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

May 29 @ 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Recurring

St. Francis of Assisi Parish Mass

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

May 30 @ 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Memorial Day BBQ

May 30 @ 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Victor Heritage Museum opening

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

May 31 @ 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Recurring

Socrates Cafe’ Philosophical Discussion Group

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

June 1 @ 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Recurring

Coffee with the Mayor

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

June 3 @ 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM Recurring

Lolo Farmers Market

October 27
All day

Laundry Love Hamilton Free Laundry Appointments

All day

Certified Pre-owned Pet Sale

June 4 @ 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Recurring

St. Francis of Assisi Parish Mass

June 4 @ 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Lions Club at Non-Profit Fair

View Calendar

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