Water Quality – A National Effort All Year Round
August is National Water Quality Month, so it’s a prime time to think about where our drinking water comes from and whether or not it’s free from contamination. And, although designating months to causes like this to raise awareness is a great idea, it’s important to consider water quality all year long.
How do we get quality water?
In this country, many of us don’t even consider where our water comes from on a daily basis. We take it for granted that when we turn on the tap, clean drinking water will come out, and we can go about our daily lives. Fortunately, most of us DO enjoy clean, quality water, but it doesn’t come without effort.
In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency has been tasked with putting standards in place that regulate local water authorities and how they track water contaminants. This is especially important because the water we use goes into wastewater facilities which then treat the water and send it back out to consumers.
What can the average person do to improve water quality?
Although the government regulates how public water facilities treat wastewater, this doesn’t cover water that never reaches the wastewater plant. Some water goes down our drains and out into personal sewers, and other water gets used around our homes or property for things like irrigation or washing cars. In these cases, the water drains directly into the groundwater instead of going to a treatment plant.
Here are a few things we all can do to keep that water as clean and contaminant-free as possible:
- Clean up after your animals
Animal waste contains contaminants such as e. coli which can make their way into the groundwater. Using alternate disposal methods can help prevent these contaminants from reaching our drinking water. - Don’t wash your car at home
Instead, use the commercial car wash. Public car wash facilities have drains that feed water directly into the city sewer system which then goes to a wastewater treatment plant for decontamination. - Use the garbage can
Instead of rinsing medications or toxic paint down the drain, put them in the trash can. This will help prevent the harmful chemicals that are in them from reaching our drinking water. - Be mindful of fertilizers and pesticides
Using these chemicals are sometimes necessary, but environmentally-friendly options are available that won’t cause groundwater contamination. - Join a community clean-up group
Many neighborhoods have groups that work to clean up the environment, and together we can make a difference.
Finally, it’s great to practice all of the tips mentioned above, but if you’re still unsure whether or not your own personal water is safe to drink, you can always install a drinking water system in your home. Then, you will be sure to have safe, quality drinking water all year long.
