how can i test for fluoride from water flooding my cellar,?

Question

, the water board say the water in my cellar is due to a rise in the water table, but if i find fluoride in there surely that means that there is a mains cold water problem there is a reservoir at the top of my road, i live on quite a steep hill

Answer 1

From one of your recent answers I guess you're in the UK (the question about LUFC v Hull). There's lots of houses in the UK where the basement is below the water table.

My house (in the Pennines and not that far from Leeds) is about 200 years old and we have a similar problem - as do many houses around here. We actually have pure spring water bubbling up into the cellar (I might start bottling it - there's an idea).

In older houses in hilly areas, or low lying areas, it's quite common and is rarely a problem, it would probably have been known about when the house was built. It's unusual in more modern houses.

There are many places you can send a water sample to and they'll analyse it for you. I've done this before, I think it was about £30 ten or so years ago. Here's a couple of links to lab testing services...

http://www.acornwater.com/showprod.php?id=48
http://www.clearwater.eu.com/consultancy/laboratory_services.html

Answer 2

This site gives the ANSI standard technical manual for determining the concentrations of fluoride in water.

http://webstore.ansi.org/ansidocstore/product.asp?sku=ASTM+D1179-04 It describes the following Tech manual. It would probably be less expensive to use this recognized national standard rather than hiring a test lab, but a test lab should be able to do it for you without any difficulty.

Document#: ASTM D1179-04
Title: Standard Test Methods for Fluoride Ion in Water

Answer 3

If the water is maintaining a consistent level, it probably is because of the groundwater table level. Do any of your neighbors have the same problem?
See if you can determine, by doing a close inspection of the walls of your basement if there is any indication of water seepage at about a height where the water main comes into your house.
Check your yellow pages for "Laboratories, testing." They can test for floride but it may be expensive. Or they may be able to sell you the necessary supplies for you to test it yourself.
The best of luck to you.

Answer 4

There's a difference between fluorine and fluoride and you don't have either. Check your phone directory for a testing Lab and take your cellar sample there, but it will cost.

Answer 5

You have my deepest sympathy since, judging by your way of reasoning, it seems you must be living in a fluoridated area.

If you don't think that's a problem, do a search on the word "fluoride" and you'll quickly see what I mean.

Answer 6

The reservoir does not have fluorine in it.
That is put in at the water treatment plant, alomg with chlorine.
Is the reservoir leaking?
Do check with your neighbors.