My new rented house is making me sick.

[I Like Thai]

Gotta kind of wonder how gardens survived before sprinkler systems became ubiquitous here in Thailand.

Several posters have hit on it, but gotten no acknowledgment from the OP.

If the sprinkler system is your only problem with the property, turn it off and enjoy the relaxation and therapeutic release that comes from watering the garden.

Win-win.

They didn't have gardens. It was a jungle.

[hellodolly]

I was here last year during the smoggy season. I did not have a problem. But I do have problem breathing wet particles or droplets of water for some reason they seem to go straight into my body and I react. I am not hypersensitive and i have seen some people that are diagnosed as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and they can not be around perfumes. It's something about this water that makes me react. I ask again where can one get the water tested?

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I have no information but would a mask work if all that bothers you is the moisture carried chemicals. Not exactly sure how long you would have to wear them. Would it be OK shortly after the water sprinkling system is shut off.

Actually I believe the permanent solution is to change the water source.

As my helpful "friend" Naam has pointed out that since I like the place maybe I can pay for the sprinklers to be put on the public water grid. That is an elegant solution and probably cheaper than the 15000 baht complete water testing from CMU. (Hopefully. I don't know. Perhaps the "owner" is even willing to go "halfsies.") I will try to find out tomorrow when I talk with my broker. I want her to suggest this solution to the "owner." (Again finesse over balls.) But me offering to put forth my own money should help mend our communication breakdown and start us talking again. (I hope.) Thx for your suggestion.

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I agree with you but you had earlier indicated that the communication between you and the owner was not good. Excellent idea even if it was good communications to get the Broker to introduce the idea.

I did not realize that water testing was that expensive here. Wouldn't matter what it came up with any how as you still would have the problem. Check into it and see what the cost would be probably a lot cheaper and if necessary have it done at night.

Not suggesting any thing illegal here just it is cooler to work at night.

In the mean time would a mask not help to alleviate the problem some what?

[Oscar2]

Water testing can be carried out at Chiang Mai University as per this old thread. Still valid or not, no idea, but a start.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/513023-well-water-testing/

Thx.

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be sure that you know what you want CMU to test for. if you say "everything" it will set you back 10-15,000 Bath.

[Beetlejuice]

as you seem to like the house what about shelling out some additional money and have the sprinklers connected to the well water supply?

Yes I started to try to have that conversation. It went south really fast for some reason.

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for "some reason" you seem to be not only helpless but also resistent to advice. grow a pair of balls and good luck!

Completely agree with you on this one.

The OP has several options, including as he is only renting the property, he can move on.

We can only give advice according to what is our own opinions, some may agree, some may not, but whatever the OP decides must be up to his own discretion. End of story really..

And the same, wishing good luck to all who sail in her.

[donniereadit]

I'm going out on a limb here and possible exposing my identity. Which I don't normally do.

Interesting. I live in a similar development, but with no creek.

Me and my neighbor have both smelled an odd chemically, sewery odor which manifests in only certain sections of the house. Theories include something died under the house, glue curing from construction (but unlikely as it would have occured several months ago). The best theroy is that it is simply a plumbing problem or sewage backing up into the pipes in specific areas and leaking out under the house somewhere. Dying termites or decaying flesh from poison being put out is another one.

Either way, it's a chemically, sewery, odorly. My neighbor brought a girl over and he said she said forget it and left due to the "sewery, chemically, odory" smell.

Of course, it could also be dirty laundry!

[AgentOkeyDokey]

Gotta kind of wonder how gardens survived before sprinkler systems became ubiquitous here in Thailand.

Several posters have hit on it, but gotten no acknowledgment from the OP.

If the sprinkler system is your only problem with the property, turn it off and enjoy the relaxation and therapeutic release that comes from watering the garden.

Win-win.

Actually that is one of the first suggestions I made to the Landlord. As I indicated in the OP he is proud of his "baby." HE likes having the sprinkler system on. It assures him that HIS garden is being watered properly. The suggestion you propose is certainly on the table.

The problem is not the sprinkler system. The problem is the water the sprinkler system is using.

I find it interesting that the house is just now being put on the public water grid. What was it using before for tap and shower? Creek water? (When i say "creek water" think dirty canal-like water.) He has much as admitted it today. Doesn't it need to be filtered or clean somehow? (Real question.) I know there is little enforceable regulation here around these matters. But are we so cavalier about pollutants these days that breathing (and in the house's history bathing) in unfiltered creek water with untold chemical and biological contaminants seems ok?

I asked the broker why did the owners switch to the public water grid. She said cleaning the water costs too much? Does that mean the water before was cleaned. How? Note: just a few weeks ago they switched to the public water grid. That mean they had another source of water before for shower and tap. When I mentioned that the past source of water was the creek he didn't deny it. Something fishy is going on and I am not getting all the answers I need from the owner either because of his English or because of duplicity or both. So I am going to let the broker handle it.

I don't care about the past history of the water source. The water in the tap now which is on the grid is fine. I feel great showering in it. The water in the sprinklers are another matter. And it is not just in my yard but the two houses that he owns to either side. It would not take that much to attached the sprinkler systems to the public water grid. And I am willing to help with the costs. I think that is a true win-win.

Cancer is on the rise folks. All over the world. And also in Thailand. It has been directly linked to the increased pollutants in our environment. Why should I be cavalier?

I am not talking to you directly impulse but in general beetle juice and Naam who may be alternate egos have talked about "balls." At least I fight for something I believe in and that make sense to me. This is not an issue of chemical sensitivity but a issue of common sense. Not being needlessly poisoned is a good thing.

Now to be removed from all pollutants is impossible in these days. But why breath in known chemically and biologically polluted water and not care or try to do something simple to change it? And if you don't think the creek is polluted I welcome you to come to my house and have a cup full. Unfiltered. Straight no chaser.

Two if you like.

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Edited February 23, 2014 by AgentOkeyDokey

[AgentOkeyDokey]

I was here last year during the smoggy season. I did not have a problem. But I do have problem breathing wet particles or droplets of water for some reason they seem to go straight into my body and I react. I am not hypersensitive and i have seen some people that are diagnosed as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and they can not be around perfumes. It's something about this water that makes me react. I ask again where can one get the water tested?

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I have no information but would a mask work if all that bothers you is the moisture carried chemicals. Not exactly sure how long you would have to wear them. Would it be OK shortly after the water sprinkling system is shut off.

Actually I believe the permanent solution is to change the water source.

As my helpful "friend" Naam has pointed out that since I like the place maybe I can pay for the sprinklers to be put on the public water grid. That is an elegant solution and probably cheaper than the 15000 baht complete water testing from CMU. (Hopefully. I don't know. Perhaps the "owner" is even willing to go "halfsies.") I will try to find out tomorrow when I talk with my broker. I want her to suggest this solution to the "owner." (Again finesse over balls.) But me offering to put forth my own money should help mend our communication breakdown and start us talking again. (I hope.) Thx for your suggestion.

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I agree with you but you had earlier indicated that the communication between you and the owner was not good. Excellent idea even if it was good communications to get the Broker to introduce the idea.

I did not realize that water testing was that expensive here. Wouldn't matter what it came up with any how as you still would have the problem. Check into it and see what the cost would be probably a lot cheaper and if necessary have it done at night.

Not suggesting any thing illegal here just it is cooler to work at night.

In the mean time would a mask not help to alleviate the problem some what?

Thx for the mask idea. I think it could help a little.

But this not just a chemical sensitivity issue as stated above. I think we need to make rational choices about what goes into our bodies. I may be more in contact with the needs of my body to maintain health. I don't smoke and when I had it made me sick. I didn't need the Surgeon General to tell me that cigarette smoke is not healthy. My body told me and common sense. Breathing in smoke for "pleasure" doesn't seem like a good idea. Likewise breathing in filthy water from a slow moving canal-like creek doesn't seem like a good idea either. And also my body just happens to agree and reacts negatively to its exposure.

Have we gone so far afield that we cannot even listen to our body's signs until we get an incurable illness and it is too late?

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Edited February 23, 2014 by AgentOkeyDokey

[Naam]

Yes I started to try to have that conversation. It went south really fast for some reason.

i was referring to this part of one of your postings. why would the landlord not agree that your sprinkler system is connected to the well water supply if you are willing to pay for the water consumption? initial installation cost most probably a few PVC parts and a couple of hours work.

[Naam]

your health is the most important asset you own. forget therefore well meant but ridiculous advice such as "close the windows... have the water tested... by an air purifier... wear a mask..." and change the water supply by forcing your landlord to agree.

[Thai at Heart]

The level of pesticide in the river water needed to create instant nausea would be ridiculously high. Just imagine who many ppm you can get in a drop of water.

Whilst it can be polluted, are you sure this isn't a psychosomatic reaction.

Edited February 23, 2014 by Thai at Heart

[AgentOkeyDokey]

your health is the most important asset you own. forget therefore well meant but ridiculous advice such as "close the windows... have the water tested... by an air purifier... wear a mask..." and change the water supply by forcing your landlord to agree.

My plan is to articulate my request through the broker today. I couldn't yesterday because it is her day off. Seeing the wisdom of your original idea and the continuing wisdom in this approach I am committed in seeing it through.

I don't know about "forcing" him. I certainly can and will put forth as compelling an argument that I can.

Paying for water consumption and materials and labor to change the water source to the public grid will be among them . Also I will emphasize the common sense possibility of the human health hazard of being exposed to the spray and of breathing in such dirty canal-like creek water filled with unknown chemical and biological contaminants.

I will make the offer through the broker who I consider a friend and I have known her professionally for about a year and a half. She is a Thai and Thailand born and an American citizen through marriage and pretty Americanized through long time American residency and she can speak English better than the farlang who is of a non-English language country and also she can speak Thai to his Thai wife if necessary.

I agree with you our health is our greatest treasure and that which really matters. And we need to take reasonable measures to safeguard it. In this case from the needless toxic load from a polluted water source.

Thank you for your clear thinking on the subject. I feel I always make better decisions when I get good input from others.

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[AgentOkeyDokey]

The level of pesticide in the river water needed to create instant nausea would be ridiculously high. Just imagine who many ppm you can get in a drop of water.

Whilst it can be polluted, are you sure this isn't a psychosomatic reaction.

Why are you assuming just pesticides? That is unclear thinking. There are unknown chemical and biological contaminants in the sludge like canal/creek. Pesticides may be one of them. We don't know what chemicals of industry has found its way to this water source. Also biological contaminants such as bacteria or parasites or sewage and fecal matter could/would be a concern. It just doesn't seem like a good healthy practice to expose yourself needlessly to such water.

So a fresh creek of sparkling clear water it certainly is not. But my other point is this.... I had the reaction before I knew it was the source of water for the sprinklers.

Interestingly.

I never said I felt like vomiting. Having a "gut"reaction of having stomach upset or disturbance doesn't necessarily equate to having nausea. This negative reaction proved to be right in the "real world." Only after this negative reaction to exposure to the sprinkler spray for the first time and confronting the owner about it did I find that the water source of the sprinklers was the canal.

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[Jose]

Related:

Water quality monitoring in Upper Ping river, Thailand.

[kkup]

The chance of fully resolving your problem anytime soon is slim to none. If it's that concerning i don't see any other option than to eat mumma cup for a month, save some cash and move.

[BrooklynNY]

Your post reminds me of a polluted klong in a rubber plantation area in Rayong where the people have to put up with stench smell (worse situation than you) that caused by a rubber refinery factory nearby released polluted water into the klong. The red tape problem is that the factory is owned by an or-bor-tor who will not do anything to fix this problem. The people in the village are afraid to make complaints. My Thai friend whose house is right next to the klong. That stench nauseating smell is health hazard which causes nagging headache and loss of appetite.

You should have a talk to the landlord and tell him that after having stayed there long enough you discovered that this smell has caused you health problem. When you viewed the place was not long enough to know the hidden fault. Maybe the landlord would negotiate with you to let you break the lease.

Good luck.

[BlueSkyCowboy]

I would never buy a house in a foreign country. If you rent, you change houses easily.

Your opinion does not solve the present problem

[T_Dog]

Having lost our dog last year to rat poison placed by a farmer, another farmer came over last week to warn us about the snail poison they were placing in the rice fields. Apparently it is quite strong and many dogs get ill from it, and even the farmers are wary of it. Not sure if that might be in your canal there but with the new rice season starting, snail poison is in the standing water and I suppose it could make it to your sprinklers.

[AgentOkeyDokey]

Having lost our dog last year to rat poison placed by a farmer, another farmer came over last week to warn us about the snail poison they were placing in the rice fields. Apparently it is quite strong and many dogs get ill from it, and even the farmers are wary of it. Not sure if that might be in your canal there but with the new rice season starting, snail poison is in the standing water and I suppose it could make it to your sprinklers.

Thx T-dog. This info helps a lot. How much poison is harmful? We don't know. Why not be safe than sorry? Why not change the water source? Especially if I accept the financial burden. That's why I don't agree with Kkup.

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[lucifer666]

An easy solution, would be to turn the sprinklers off and buy a hose. I guarantee that you will find a outside water tap/valve somewhere and use the water from the main source. An added bonus will be that you will attract less mosquito's using the cleaner water.

[rotary]

Probably cheaper to rent but problems like this that you have limited or no control over is the reason I buy.

[thailandbeachisland]

You life seems a bit difficult, hard to find any place in this world not full of chemicals...

[AgentOkeyDokey]

Your post reminds me of a polluted klong in a rubber plantation area in Rayong where the people have to put up with stench smell (worse situation than you) that caused by a rubber refinery factory nearby released polluted water into the klong. The red tape problem is that the factory is owned by an or-bor-tor who will not do anything to fix this problem. The people in the village are afraid to make complaints. My Thai friend whose house is right next to the klong. That stench nauseating smell is health hazard which causes nagging headache and loss of appetite.

You should have a talk to the landlord and tell him that after having stayed there long enough you discovered that this smell has caused you health problem. When you viewed the place was not long enough to know the hidden fault. Maybe the landlord would negotiate with you to let you break the lease.

Good luck.

The landlord is an excitable man. I think egos have come into play. The Broker didn't want to talk to me on the phone. Or hear my side of the story. I am afraid decisions have been decided. Emotions are riled. This does not bode well for rationality. She will come and talk to me in the afternoon. But didn't have time to talk on the phone.

Now I am kept in suspense until then.

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[cloghead]

for the win...

also eliminates the need to "grow a pair"...

[arby]

What about installing a water filter in the water line supplying the sprinklers

[Dante99]

Your post reminds me of a polluted klong in a rubber plantation area in Rayong where the people have to put up with stench smell (worse situation than you) that caused by a rubber refinery factory nearby released polluted water into the klong. The red tape problem is that the factory is owned by an or-bor-tor who will not do anything to fix this problem. The people in the village are afraid to make complaints. My Thai friend whose house is right next to the klong. That stench nauseating smell is health hazard which causes nagging headache and loss of appetite.

You should have a talk to the landlord and tell him that after having stayed there long enough you discovered that this smell has caused you health problem. When you viewed the place was not long enough to know the hidden fault. Maybe the landlord would negotiate with you to let you break the lease.

Good luck.

The landlord is an excitable man. I think egos have come into play. The Broker didn't want to talk to me on the phone. Or hear my side of the story. I am afraid decisions have been decided. Emotions are riled. This does not bode well for rationality. She will come and talk to me in the afternoon. But didn't have time to talk on the phone.

Now I am kept in suspense until then.

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Drama Drama Drama. Speculation, Speculation. Next time keep your mouth shut and do a little plumbing or other work to fix your problems, if you want to fix them.

[cheeryble]

Firstly I would never stay in that property, it sounds like there are serious health hazards there plus the possibility that these unknown chemicals could be contaminating the main water supply.

My advice is; to tell your illegal property owning farang landlord who is running an illegal property renting business, that you want to leave a.s.a.p due to health hazards and you expert back any deposits due to you If the illegal farang property owner tries to give you a hard time, than inform him you intend to take legal action and if the illegal landlord ignores the warning, then hire the services of a reputable lawyer and have a lawyers letter sent directly to him. Explain in the lawyers letter that you want to see a work permit, company registration papers for the renting business, and 3 years audited accounts for the company, which if requested under the right authority you are entitled to inspect.

I know I can press "like"

How do I "GREATLY DISLIKE"?

You have no evidence of serious health hazards or even minute health hazards.

And f--- the lawyer's letter.

The guy's given you what sounds like a very decent place......you're lucky.

Work round it.

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[AgentOkeyDokey]

Your post reminds me of a polluted klong in a rubber plantation area in Rayong where the people have to put up with stench smell (worse situation than you) that caused by a rubber refinery factory nearby released polluted water into the klong. The red tape problem is that the factory is owned by an or-bor-tor who will not do anything to fix this problem. The people in the village are afraid to make complaints. My Thai friend whose house is right next to the klong. That stench nauseating smell is health hazard which causes nagging headache and loss of appetite.

You should have a talk to the landlord and tell him that after having stayed there long enough you discovered that this smell has caused you health problem. When you viewed the place was not long enough to know the hidden fault. Maybe the landlord would negotiate with you to let you break the lease.

Good luck.

The landlord is an excitable man. I think egos have come into play. The Broker didn't want to talk to me on the phone. Or hear my side of the story. I am afraid decisions have been decided. Emotions are riled. This does not bode well for rationality. She will come and talk to me in the afternoon. But didn't have time to talk on the phone.

Now I am kept in suspense until then.

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Drama Drama Drama. Speculation, Speculation. Next time keep your mouth shut and do a little plumbing or other work to fix your problems, if you want to fix them.

I love it when the fools comes out.

I am renting and have no rights to do plumbing with out permission. Plus the owner is very hands on and comes around almost daily. Why should I keep my mouth shut and hide work on the plumbing that he can clearly see?

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[AgentOkeyDokey]

Firstly I would never stay in that property, it sounds like there are serious health hazards there plus the possibility that these unknown chemicals could be contaminating the main water supply.

My advice is; to tell your illegal property owning farang landlord who is running an illegal property renting business, that you want to leave a.s.a.p due to health hazards and you expert back any deposits due to you If the illegal farang property owner tries to give you a hard time, than inform him you intend to take legal action and if the illegal landlord ignores the warning, then hire the services of a reputable lawyer and have a lawyers letter sent directly to him. Explain in the lawyers letter that you want to see a work permit, company registration papers for the renting business, and 3 years audited accounts for the company, which if requested under the right authority you are entitled to inspect.

I know I can press "like"

How do I "GREATLY DISLIKE"?

You have no evidence of serious health hazards or even minute health hazards.

And f--- the lawyer's letter.

The guy's given you what sounds like a very decent place......you're lucky.

Work round it.

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I agreed. Trying to. We will see.

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[wvavin]

In my honest opinion, don't try an error. Its very dubious as far as the water issue is concerned. Don't even think of spending money to rectify. Start looking for a better place and stop wasting time asking the owner why this and that because there would never be an answer.

[AgentOkeyDokey]

Gas_mask_img_1619.jpg

for the win...

also eliminates the need to "grow a pair"...

Ha ha ha. And what about the two mosquitoes bites you call a pair? It goes well with your pinhead. Should I club the owner on the head cave man? In civil society we talk our problems out. That is what I am doing.

Troll.

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