Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


-----

Cr/6 in our ground water

Hello; I live in Midland Texas. We have excessive high amounts of Cr/6 in our ground water. It has made National News about the high levels. We have had our well tested 5 times. with it showing high levels the first 2 and then non detected for the next 2 and then, a real Kicker/the last test shows excessive high levels of Strontium (chromate)/ which is a spin off Cr/6? are we being told something that is way far from the truth?

Cindy and Brian King Midland, Texas.

CINDY KING
- Midland, Texas, USA
June 22, 2009

Hi, Cindy. Unfortunately it's hard to tell whether a test result was erroneous or whether the underground stream of chrome-bearing water is wandering around a bit within the aquifer, accounting for the varying results. But if three out of five readings are high in hexavalent chrome (yes, the chrome in strontium chromate is hexavalent too), I'd consider it to be a significant problem. Who is doing the well testing -- the county health department?

Is this drinking water? I had heard that the water in Midland is so sour that people don't drink it. But not being from the area, I don't know if this is true or just a rumor started by polluters.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
June 23, 2009

---

First of two simultaneous responses -- June 29, 2009

Don't drink that water. It's likely safe to bathe in.

Strontium is an alkaline earth metal. I don't know that it has any toxic properties, in and of itself, though it has a notorious harmful radioactive isotope, Sr-90.

Hexavalent chromium is a known carcinogen. It's not clear to me from your letter what the connection between it and the strontium is.

You can likely purify this water to make it safe for drinking via a RO system. You can buy them at Sears. Till then, I'd advise you drink bottled.

Dave Wichern
Consultant - The Bronx, New York

---

Second of two simultaneous responses --

Strontium is not the same as hexavalent chromium. If you are concerned about your well and your drinking water, there are many ways to remove traces of hexavalent chromium, including activated carbon filtration.

Lyle Kirman
consultant - Cleveland Heights, Ohio
June 29, 2009