Cycling Laws in Pennsylvania

Andrew Schry is the president of Culligan Water in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania. Additionally, Andrew “Andy” Schry has served as president of the Ellwood City Area Chamber of Commerce and on the board of directors of the Lawrence County Cycling Club.

Cyclists in Pennsylvania should be aware of the state’s safety and traffic laws. Generally speaking, any “pedalcycle” is considered a vehicle and is granted the same rights and restrictions, with a few exceptions. For example, cyclists must ride in the same direction as the traffic flow but may opt to ride on the shoulder of the road instead of the road itself.

Cyclists in groups cannot ride more than two abreast if they are in the right lane, though they can move from the lane to pass a vehicle or make a left turn. Of course, cyclists can cautiously cross the center line to avoid an obstacle or collision.

Only cyclists under the age of 12 are required to wear helmets. However, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation strongly urges all cyclists to wear helmets.

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How to Effectively Extinguish a Campfire

Located in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, Andrew Schry has spent more than three decades with Culligan Water in Ellwood City. As president of Culligan Water, he oversees all business segments, ranging from human resources to accounting and payroll. When he is not driving sales and business operations at Culligan Water, Andrew “Andy” Schry enjoys staying physically active through cycling and camping.

There are several important aspects of fire safety while camping, such as never starting a fire under or near low-hanging branches. However, the most effective and vigilante fire safety practices can be wasted if a group fails to put the fire out before departing the campsite.

Individuals should completely douse the fire with water, including any stones or channels used to ring the fire. After the water has been poured, campers should use a stick to mix up the ashes and expose any embers or heated branches. Stirring embers can release excess heat, but adding more water to these areas is advisable.

After a period of time, individuals should carefully use their hands to test embers and rocks. At this point, any object involved in the fire should be cold to the touch. Even a slightly warm ember can heat a nearby leaf, which catches fire and quickly spreads to the surrounding brush and trees. Campers must be careful not to burn themselves but should remember that if anything is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave the site.

After taking a final look around the area to ensure no sparks or stray embers have blown away from the main fire, campers can complete the process by making one final pass over the site with a bucket of water.

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Backpacking – Beginner Tips

Andrew “Andy” Schry serves as president of Culligan Water of Ellwood City in Pennsylvania. His firm provides services such as expert water treatment, water softeners, water filtration, and drinking water purification systems to residents and businesses. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Andy Schry likes to cycle and go backpacking.

People often go backpacking to experience an organic way of living. They carry everything they need on their backs, including food, tents, clothing, and bedding. Survival skills like navigation, tent making, and first aid are essential on a backpacking adventure. For beginners, it is vital to keep some tips in mind.

Start Small.
Planning a days-long adventure on your first trip may not be the best way to enjoy it. Accidents may happen (you’re new to this), or you could wear yourself out quickly. Short, one-night trips along easily navigable routes are a great idea.

Prepare Adequately.
It is important to make adequate preparations for your trip. Research your trip and plan your route. Know where you’re going, how long you’ll be on the road, where you will camp, and what the weather will be like.

Know How to Use Your Gear.
Everything you bring along with you on your backpacking trip is essential and must be available when needed. This means you have to familiarize yourself with your gear. Don’t carry anything that might take a while to figure out how to use.

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Harmful Microorganisms in Drinking Water and Methods of Treatment

A variety of viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms can impact the viability of a source of drinking water. A few of the most common microorganisms individuals should be aware of include salmonella enterica typhi, salmonella paratyphi-A, and shigella dysenteriae.

Salmonella enterica typhi is the strain of bacteria associated with the development of typhoid fever. Salmonella typhi and other salmonella have posed a series of problems to developing nations worldwide for many decades. While scientific and technological advances have helped to curb the impact of salmonella and typhoid fever, the bacteria remains a major global health concern.

Several hundred Americans develop typhoid fever from exposure to salmonella typhi every year. Notably, most of these cases begin when an American ingests contaminated food or water while traveling abroad. Early symptoms of typhoid fever include stomach pain and a loss of appetite, while untreated cases can manifest in life-threatening health complications.

Salmonella paratyphi-A is similar to salmonella enterica typhi in that it is a typhoidal salmonella bacterium. Ingesting drinking water contaminated with this form of salmonella bacteria can lead to paratyphoid fever, a rarer and less severe iteration of the condition.

Shigella dysenteriae, meanwhile, is a rare strain of bacteria in the United States, though it still impacts several underserved communities throughout the nation. Shigella dysenteriae is one of four distinct species of bacteria, with shigella sonnei ranking as the most prevalent form in the United States. In addition to eating or drinking from a contaminated source, shigella can spread from physical contact, even with individuals who have not demonstrated symptoms for weeks.

Diarrhea is the main symptom of shigella exposure; others are fever and stomach pain. Most cases dissipate within one week, though individuals can potentially face bowel issues that last for months.

These organisms represent only a small fraction of the various bacteria and viruses that can threaten a community’s drinking water. Fortunately, there are several processes municipalities and individual homeowners can use to improve the cleanliness and overall drinkability of local water sources.

Chlorination is a popular and effective means of treating water. Many American towns and cities utilize this cost-effective approach to disinfecting water. Research has shown that chlorination remains effective after the water has left a treatment plant and, in some cases, passed through miles of plumbing before reaching a residential home or public space.

Ultraviolet (UV) light provides another tactic for treating water. Applying UV light to water is similar to how UV light kills skin cells, resulting in a common sunburn. Many bottled water facilities use UV treatments, and the technology has recently become available for personal home use. Exclusively drinking bottled water is another way to minimize exposure to harmful pathogens, though this is an expensive option that presents several environmental concerns.

Ozonation is a process that involves injecting ozone directly into a water source, effectively killing any living organisms in the water. Ozonation is an effective method of treating water and is also used by bottled water companies, though it is a costlier approach compared to installing UV light filters.

Finally, distillation involves boiling drinking water, which is re-collected as steam. Unlike some of the other water treatment techniques, distillation remains too expensive for commercial and residential use and is limited to major bottled water corporations.

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How to Avoid Water Contaminants

 Water contamination happens when substances pollute the water making it unusable or unsafe for drinking, cooking, and other uses. Harmful substances, such as chemicals and microorganisms, enter a water source from industrial chemicals, agriculture, and overflowing sewers. However, there are several ways to prevent contamination of water sources or mediums.

Water disinfection kills off harmful microbes. It can be achieved by boiling the water, introducing chemicals like iodine or chlorine, exposing water to ultraviolet (UV) light, or exposure to ozone generated by high-voltage currents. In particular, ozone exposure effectively removes mineral, chemical, and biological contaminants. However, the procedure is only available at water treatment plants.

In reverse osmosis, pressurized water is forced through a fine membrane. In this process, up to 90 percent of contaminants are left behind. Reverse osmosis units are frequently used alongside mechanical filtration to remove larger particles. The system can remove harmful chemicals from household tap water before they get into the body through either ingestion or inhaling particles in water.

While pricey, these filtration units are suitable for home installation, often under the kitchen sink, on the main water line, or on the tap. The units can also be installed in the bathroom to eliminate bad smells in showers or faucets. There are different types of filters at various price points.

Lead leaching is a major cause of water contamination. In particular, homes constructed before the mid-1980s are most likely to contain lead pipes as the water medium. Even today, despite upgrades and renovations, many homes across the country still use lead-leaching pipes.

If a home has lead pipes and it’s impossible to replace them, the Center for Disease Control recommends running cold water through the taps or showers for at least one or two minutes before using it. It may be prudent to call the local water department if unsure whether the house has lead pipes. It’s also important to note that lead has no known safe limit, and all precautions should be taken to avoid water-based lead poisoning.

If a well is the water source, it’s important to ensure that the well cover is in good shape. Also, the well cap should be functional to avoid contaminants from getting through. Hazardous chemicals like fertilizer, pesticides, motor oil, and gasoline should be kept away from the well. Also, household chemicals and detergents should be disposed of safely and never left lying in the yard lest rainwater drains them into the well. Keep the well area free of debris.

In addition, the well walls should be checked regularly for visible signs of corrosion or cracking. To avoid cross-contamination through leaching, have the septic system checked regularly and pumped at least every 3 to 5 years.

Finally, remember to test well water at least once a year. Look for certified laboratories to test your water for harmful content. These can be accessed at epa.gov. Alternatively, contact the nation’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

Also, schedule additional testing if the area recently experienced floods or the water tastes and looks different. It’s also possible to contact the county health department or the State Certification Officer for a list of certified water testing laboratories.