From the local treatment plant to miles of underground pipes to your kitchen faucet, water professionals work around the clock to ensure your drinking water is there when you need it. But we all play a part in keeping our source waters clean before they ever enter a public water system.
For the last five years, Source Water Protection Week has provided an opportunity to recognize the importance of caring for our beautiful drinking water sources.
If we keep our rivers, lakes and underground wells free from pollution, it’s easier and less expensive to keep water safe and healthy to drink.
Here are some easy ways you can do your part in protecting your community’s source water:
- Manage household hazardous waste properly (cleaners, paints, vehicle fluids, fertilizers, pesticides, etc.) – Only purchase what you need. Donate unused portions to friends or community organizations. Recycle leftovers when possible. To find recycling/disposal locations visit www.earth911.com or call 1-800-CLEANUP.
- Avoid dumping – Be mindful of what goes into the sink, toilet or storm drain, as it can end up in drinking water sources. Dispose of cleaners, medicines, oil/grease, etc. properly.
- Clean up – Pick up after yourself and your pets. Use trash receptacles and recycle whenever possible. Pet waste can enter storm drains and spread bacteria.
- Find your source – Identify your source of water and check where you live and work relative to source water areas. An example tool that can be used to find this information in the U.S. is DWMAPS.
- Conserve water – Use water efficiently to ease the burden on water sources and save money. Repair leaks, use a rain barrel, install low-flow devices on toilets and showers, wash full loads of laundry and dishes, etc. For more steps to save water visit WaterSense.
- Limit use of fertilizers and pesticides – Reduce the amount of materials used on your lawn or consider natural alternatives.
This Source Water Protection Week, let’s recognize the importance of clean source water and do our part to keep it that way.
Even small actions add up to make great impacts.