Following a significant storm surge that brought an 11-foot tidal wave, the town of Ramea in Newfoundland is grappling with a severe water emergency. The surge, which occurred on December 16, contaminated the town'
"Doubles flushing to clear salt from drinking water" Jan 4, 2017
We know the salt water will settle in the pond, the salt water being [heavier] than the fresh water. We can't determine it at this point in time."
Water processing facilities in the town are pumping about 100,000 gallons each day. That's up from the 50,000 gallons it usually pumps
A storm surge, which the mayor described as a "tidal wave," dumped salt water (ocean water)
"Water emergency continues, engineer on site inspecting systems" Jan 2, 2017
A storm surge hit two weeks ago, it came as an 11-foot "tidal wave"
On Dec 16th a storm surge dumped salt water in pond that supplies the town's water
They do not have fresh drinking water
What is the reverse osmosis system
Reverse osmosis is a water purification technology that uses a semipermeable membrane to remove ions, molecules, and larger particles from drinking water.
"Water improving - but not fit to drink yet" Feb 11, 2017
Canadian drinking water guidelines allow no more than 500 milligrams of total dissolved solids and 200 milligrams of sodium per litre.
Total dissolved solids has gone from 5,100 milligrams per litre to 1,700, and sodium has dropped from 1,600 milligrams per litre to 510.
Testing shows total dissolved solids, sodium have dropped by two-thirds since beginning of January
"Water woes waning for Ramea, mayor hopes" Feb 6, 2017
The pumping capacity doubled to 100,000 gallons daily.
"As you pump the salt water from the bottom of the pond, the fresh water settles down to where the intake is at,"
"So we're getting a fair mixture of fresh water being, of course, mixed in now."