Post by qp on Oct 10, 2004 8:55:51 GMT -5
After reading the other night on several different forums I have learn't something I was not aware of, however I was glad to see I was doing the my job in protecting the waterways of Quetico on my trips. (MOST OF THE TIME)
My understanding is now that even though BDS (biodegradeable soap) has lead many of us to beleive it is safe for the water it actually isn't.
However as it was explained to me this way. Although biodegardeable and diluted it is not good for the food chain in the water. It will also change the pH of the water it comes into contact with. Causing a potential food chain reaction in the water.
Stated from the rei website as is
Multi-Purpose Soap
The cleaning agents you use in the wilderness must do more than simply keep you, your clothes and your dishes clean. They must also treat the environment kindly. REI carries a number of convenient, low-impact, multi-purpose soaps that can be used for bathing, washing clothes and cleaning dishes.
Rules
Biodegradable soap is a must. Biodegradable soaps and detergents contain no toxic chemicals, and they break down into benign compounds when exposed to water.
Controlled use is important. Even biodegradable soap will eventually pollute lakes and streams if it is not used sparingly. Be sure to limit your use.
Location Counts! All washing and bathing, even with biodegradable soap, should be done at least 200 feet from all streams, lakes and other water sources to limit detergent and viral contamination of the water supply.
So now I'm curious, how do you practice this 200 ft rule without a solar shower? For me I've taken one the last 10 years or so. Usually the water is to cool for me in mid Sept. But I will admit to a few times jumping in the lake to rinse off. I have wondered as well. With my solar shower even 200 ft from shore, Does this effect the land in anyway? My thinking and questioning comes from thinking of fish swiming near the soap and having it in their system. Would it be the same if your rinse water say came in contact with an acorn. Then a squirrel eating the nut having contacted the soap. Could this be a potintal problem in the future?
Am I over reacting here? Maybe? Maybe Not? The thing I'm seeing is this. How safe is the BW/Q waters these days? Do the hundreds of thousands of visitors each year practice the 200 ft rule? Were the ones fishing these waters. We as well are drinking it, not counting the wildlife living there. Does something need to be done about it? Is it ok to continue on the path we are traveling as is?
Interesting isn't it?
On the lighter side I can remember as a kid. My grandmother would dump her soapy water on her flower garden. She would wink at me and say. My flower garden sure is beautiful, and it was. I think at the perservatives in our foods these days. Kids sure seem taller and mature faster than when I was a kid. Hmmm, Maybe the next generation will catch even bigger fish than we do. You never know the effect of something today, untill tomorrow is here and it's to late.
I'm not hugging the trees just simply dumping my suds around them.
qp
My understanding is now that even though BDS (biodegradeable soap) has lead many of us to beleive it is safe for the water it actually isn't.
However as it was explained to me this way. Although biodegardeable and diluted it is not good for the food chain in the water. It will also change the pH of the water it comes into contact with. Causing a potential food chain reaction in the water.
Stated from the rei website as is
Multi-Purpose Soap
The cleaning agents you use in the wilderness must do more than simply keep you, your clothes and your dishes clean. They must also treat the environment kindly. REI carries a number of convenient, low-impact, multi-purpose soaps that can be used for bathing, washing clothes and cleaning dishes.
Rules
Biodegradable soap is a must. Biodegradable soaps and detergents contain no toxic chemicals, and they break down into benign compounds when exposed to water.
Controlled use is important. Even biodegradable soap will eventually pollute lakes and streams if it is not used sparingly. Be sure to limit your use.
Location Counts! All washing and bathing, even with biodegradable soap, should be done at least 200 feet from all streams, lakes and other water sources to limit detergent and viral contamination of the water supply.
So now I'm curious, how do you practice this 200 ft rule without a solar shower? For me I've taken one the last 10 years or so. Usually the water is to cool for me in mid Sept. But I will admit to a few times jumping in the lake to rinse off. I have wondered as well. With my solar shower even 200 ft from shore, Does this effect the land in anyway? My thinking and questioning comes from thinking of fish swiming near the soap and having it in their system. Would it be the same if your rinse water say came in contact with an acorn. Then a squirrel eating the nut having contacted the soap. Could this be a potintal problem in the future?
Am I over reacting here? Maybe? Maybe Not? The thing I'm seeing is this. How safe is the BW/Q waters these days? Do the hundreds of thousands of visitors each year practice the 200 ft rule? Were the ones fishing these waters. We as well are drinking it, not counting the wildlife living there. Does something need to be done about it? Is it ok to continue on the path we are traveling as is?
Interesting isn't it?
On the lighter side I can remember as a kid. My grandmother would dump her soapy water on her flower garden. She would wink at me and say. My flower garden sure is beautiful, and it was. I think at the perservatives in our foods these days. Kids sure seem taller and mature faster than when I was a kid. Hmmm, Maybe the next generation will catch even bigger fish than we do. You never know the effect of something today, untill tomorrow is here and it's to late.
I'm not hugging the trees just simply dumping my suds around them.
qp