Vashon Island Water Testing

05/06/2026

Anyone know a Steven Anderson on the island?

I met Steve at Island Lumber on Friday and we discussed me purchasing his Miller MIG welder. He gave me his number but appearantly wrote it down incorrectly?

Odd question for everyone but I'd really like that MIG welder.

Thanks all

Kevin

09/04/2025

I've had a few inquiries about performing a flow test for a well recently - can I do that?

The answer is - potentially. I'm able to work with a property owner to perform a flow test and I can do so accurately. Whether that test qualifies for the entity asking for it is the question. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Depends on who is requiring the test.

It is best to ask the entity requiring the flow test if the home owner can do so, then I can aid in the process if that is helpful.

If certification is required the test needs to be performed by a certified on-site sewage system designer, a professional engineer, or a licensed well driller.

I mostly do water testing but I also offer a few related services like storage tank cleaning and whole-home water filter navigation.

Take care Vashon!

05/26/2024

Hey Vashon,

My wife and are leaving town for 10 days in a few weeks (June 14th - 24th) and we are still needing kitten care during that period.

We're right next to the airport on the north end, next to Shingle Mill creek. The caregiver would be welcome to stay here during that time. It's lovely. 13 acres in the woods.

The cats are fantastic and a big perk is that they are potty trained. They p**p and p*e in the toilet. No litter, etc. Either that or they go outside.

Please consider and spread the word. Have a friend wanting to sample Vashon life?

Sweet little Kittens.

Thank you!

05/11/2024

So, typically when I deal with Iron Reducing Bacteria it's because it's a nuisance - staining tile, dishes etc....
....My wife and I's first-date-anniversary was Wednesday though and I got this book for her. She is a public artist and works in a number of mediums, including natural pigments....
....This book in general is gorgeous. I was delighted to find that the first chapter is actually on IRB.

"Biogenic Ochre" also known as "Vulture Mud". That's IRB. Damn.

It is still annoying if you are not wanting that particular pigment staining your house and clogging your filters and such but, in another sense entirely, it's beautiful.

Just wanted to share.

Take care Vashon.

www.VashonWaterTesting.com

01/23/2024

Kitten Sitter Needed: Feb 1st - 7th

Hey All,

We live in a pretty spectacular place. 13 acres surrounded by another 50 or more of forest, plus 20 as a large field. It's a comfy little apartment with and adjacent RV for a friend if desired.

Our 2 kittens are great. 4 months old, spunky in good ways, sleep through the night, cute as buttons, soft as a chinchilla, happy as clams.

Anyone want to take a retreat on Vashon for a week with these 2 little dumplings?

Let's talk!

11/30/2023

HOLIDAY KITTENS???

Hey All,

My wife and I recently rescued 5 kittens. 2 of the lot are up for grabs. These are the two tabbies below. They're gorgeous on the ocelot end of the tabby spectrum. Beautiful markings. They are also both really sweet with purring, lap sitting, relaxed demeanor, etc. (We took the crazy ones... fingers crossed). One is a bit more scared but is relaxing and warming up a lot in the last 2 weeks. I think once in a consistent home it will be a none issue. The other is already super chill.

It's a brother and sister. Both have one round of de-worming medicine. A second and final round happens in 8 more days. Both are roughly 11 weeks we're estimating. Both appear very healthy.

We'd encourage the 2 to stick together if possible. One person is already interested in just taking 1.

Please call or text me at 206 384 3962

11/29/2023

HOLIDAY KITTENS???

Hey All,

My wife and I recently saved 5 kittens. 3 of them are spoken for. The 2 tabbies are up for grabs. (These are the relatively chill ones. For better or for worse we took the “crazy” ones.

The 2 tabbies are gorgeous with really unique markings. Both are very healthy and recently got round 1 of a de-worming medicine. We never saw worms and only a few fleas which seem to now be gone. This was just a precaution.

The 2 tabbies are a brother and sister and we're hoping to keep them together. One person is interested in taking one right now but we think they'd be happier together.

Please call or text me (Kevin) at 206 384 3962 if interested for you or a relation of yours.

Yaay! Kittens!

10/27/2023

Hi Vashon,

I got a call from a woman this morning seeking help with her multi-home well water system. The system serves 22 homes and in the course of the conversation she told me they had already spent $40k+ on a chlorine injection system because the well has consistently tested positive for coliform bacteria. The bummer is that that money is already spent because using the Arc-2 Filter system would have saved them about $26k. The Arc-2 uses a proven, patented electrolysis cell that removes any-and-all biological contaminants, and pretty much everything else. It doesn’t remove minerals and it does also impart other beneficial qualities. It is best in class.

The Arc-2 is the larger model used for multi-home, industrial, agricultural, etc. (larger) systems while the Arc-1 does the same thing but is scaled for whole-home use.

This is just the good kind of technological improvement (not the kind that takes your job). It is a comprehensive water filtration system that is cheaper, smaller, easier maintenance and more beneficial than legacy systems.

If you’re aware that you need to filter your well water (or tap water as most tap as it contains chlorine residues like hex 5, 6, and chloramine) – please contact me before you spend the money on the old way of doing water filtration.

https://www.acuario.io/
https://mineva.com/

Acuario provides revolutionary electrolysis water solutions for home and commercial projects. Our water systems are eco friendly, durable, and provide the highest quality drinking water.

06/10/2023

Hey All,

We had a snafu happen with doggy care coverage this coming weekend and we're hoping someone might save the day. Honestly Lolo is so chill, cute, fun and awesome the real ask here is if anyone is into a small vacation on Vashon next week.

We are both gone Thursday the 15th evening through Sunday the 18th evening. We don't have to entirely match up schedules so it's roughly a 2-3 day thing.

We live on 13 acres next to a 50+ acre wood. It's Vashon so a gorgeous little summer paradise. I've got fun gear like paddle boards, Bikes, etc. You're welcome to use. I can show you the cool spots on the island. There are many.

Short notice unfortunately but can anybody make it out here for some sweet island time with the best, cutest little dog?

03/08/2023

TW: The below post is informative but is just really gross. It deals with accidentally drinking gross stuff that got into a water storage tank. Only read on if you are OK with that.

Hey Vashon,

It's definitely a good idea to inspect your well water system including any storage tanks, the well head, pressure tanks, etc. Several things can happen in the dynamic environment. This time it was....

Mice.

I tested the water for a sweet couple recently and it came back positive for coliform bacteria but (somehow) negative for E. Coli. I came back to shock their well/tank and upon inspections found a hole mice had chewed in the lid to they're 3000 tank. Eek.

At that moment I somehow thought ~a~ mouse, one mouse had gotten in and trapped in the tank. We repaired the mouse hole.

Upon draining, I became aware that the lowest 24 inches of the tank was in rough shape and would need to be cleaned. When the murky water got low enough *smack* I could see 5-8 mouse bodies at the bottom in varying states of decay.

I had to get into the tank to clean and sanitize it. When I was able to get closer, I found the stains of several more mice - a total of 15? That had met their end in these great peoples water supply. Eek.

I took care of it all and they're in good shape but for the benefit of everyone else, yall should know that the water never tasted or smelled off. Their was a slow development that was getting worse and worse.

When I tested their was no E. Coli but their definitely was at some point. One of the couple has had health issues that may or may not be related. Hopefully those issues will dissappear now their water is safe again.

Moral of the story is that testing and inspection is a good idea. A stitch in time... might keep you from having things get much worse, perhaps quickly.

Here are several gross pics for all the inquiring minds.

Take care Vashon.

Kevin

01/20/2023

I thought I would speak to iron in the water a bit.

Iron comes in 3 forms: particulate, dissolved and iron reducing bacteria (IRB). None are good for a body in excess. To see if you have iron in your water, you can check the water in you toilet tank. Not the bowl but the tank, the part behind the bowl that provides water for the flush. A rich brown on the inner walls is iron but brown and also scummy is IRB. If it's IRB, that's a bacterial colony in the well and it may mean that other bacteria are also present. The IRB alone don't typically upset a body but large amounts potentially can. It does mean that bacteria is in your well and it's a live colony that can grow to become more of a problem. Other kinds of bacteria that are worse for a body can live on the IRB, getting a "head start". The IRB itself will still stain surfaces and can also gum up any filters or other parts inside your water system. That can get expensive.

I'll add that black on the inside walls of your toilet tank indicates manganese.

Go ahead and check your tank!

God Sp*ed Everybody!

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