Did you know that many people in the United States get their drinking water from potentially contaminated sources? It can be scary to think about, but there are things that we can all do to help protect our water supplies. In this blog post, we will discuss ways you can help keep drinking water safe. We will also talk about some of the dangers associated with drinking contaminated water. Please share this information with your friends and family so we can all work together to keep our water clean!
How You Can Help Protect Your Drinking Water
If you do not want the same sickness from Camp Lejeune water supply to affect your area, it is essential to help protect your clean water. Everyone can do a few things to protect their drinking water sources. Some simple tips include: not flushing medications down the toilet or sink, picking up after pets, and properly disposing of oil and other automotive fluids, household cleaners, and chemicals. All of these items have the potential to contaminate groundwater if they are not disposed of properly. Pesticides are another common contaminant of water and should be used with care. Homeowners should always follow the directions on the label and never apply more than what is recommended. Improperly disposing of pesticides by dumping them down the drain, into storm sewers, or onto the ground can lead to contamination of drinking water sources.
You can also support your local water utility’s efforts to improve water quality. This might mean conserving water in your home by fixing leaks, only watering your lawn when necessary, and sweeping sidewalks and driveways instead of hosing them off. You can also help reduce pollution by adequately disposing household hazardous wastes such as oils, paints, cleaners, and chemicals at designated collection sites rather than pouring them down the drain. Paying your water bill on time is also crucial in supporting your local water utility to have the resources necessary to maintain and improve the quality of your drinking water.
The Symptoms of Contaminated Water
You can tell if your water may be contaminated in a few different ways. One way is by looking for changes in taste, smell, or appearance. For example, it may be contaminated if your water tastes salty, smells terrible, or looks cloudy. It would help if you were also looking for skin irritation or rashes after coming into contact with water. If you notice these symptoms, you must have your water tested as soon as possible.
You can also help protect your drinking water by being mindful of what you put down the drain. For example, chemicals like paint thinners and motor oil can contaminate groundwater if they’re not disposed of properly. So it’s important only to put biodegradable materials down the drain and to properly dispose of hazardous materials.
We all rely on clean, safe drinking water to live healthy lives, and together we can take action to protect this valuable resource. Following these simple tips can make a big difference in keeping our drinking water clean and protecting public health. Thanks for doing your part!
