Friday, March 29, 2024

How to Protect Source Water to Prevent Contamination

Without water, there would be no life. So, we all must take steps to prevent water contamination from happening.

When contaminants end up in water supplies and bodies of water, it not only harms the environment. It can also lead to people developing numerous severe health problems.

Cases of Water Contamination in the U.S.

Although control and treatment methods are widely used throughout the United States to help prevent water contamination and state and federal regulations are in place to ensure water quality is high, water contamination is still an ongoing problem.

For example, notable cases of water contamination not only include historical incidents like the case of the Woburn, Massachusetts water contamination in which people were exposed to contaminants like trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene in the 1960s and 1970s that caused various forms of cancer and congenital disabilities.

They also include more recent incidents like the Flint water crisis, in which people in Flint, Michigan, were exposed to dangerous levels of lead and other pollutants that resulted in multiple health conditions, including skin lesions, memory loss, and vision loss.

Also, some historical cases of water contamination, like the Camp Lejeune incident in which military personnel and civilians were exposed to contaminants like trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, benzene, and vinyl chloride and developed a variety of cancers and other health problems, as a result, are still affecting a significant number of people.

For instance, now that the Camp Lejeune Justice Act has been passed, people who developed conditions due to the contamination can pursue Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits to receive the compensation they deserve.

What You Can Do to Prevent the Contamination of Source Water

It is not only the government and official bodies that need to play a part in preventing source water contamination. Everybody should ensure they are doing the right things to prevent water contamination. Here are just some of the essential things that you can do yourself:

Dispose of Harmful Materials Correctly

First and foremost, do not pour hazardous waste into sewers, down drains, or on the ground. If you do, it could contaminate soil, groundwater, and nearby surface water. Hazardous waste materials include motor oil, household cleaners, pesticides, paint, and various medicines.

Properly Dispose of Your Medications

Following the last point, you must dispose of your medications correctly. For example, flushing medicines down the toilet can eventually seep into groundwater and contaminate water.

Sometimes, disposed medicines down the toilet can pass through water treatment systems and enter rivers and lakes. They could even end up in drinking water supplies. The reason is that water treatment plants are typically not equipped to remove medications regularly.

Instead, to dispose of medicine, look for local programs in which you can dispose of unwanted medicines in a safe and environmentally-conscious way.

Avoid Using Fertilizers and Pesticides

While many people continue using fertilizers and pesticides on their lawns and gardens, you should think twice before using such chemical substances. Many fertilizers and pesticides contain harmful chemicals that contaminate groundwater after being put onto the soil, and the contaminants can travel into streams, rivers, and lakes. So, either avoid using fertilizers and pesticides altogether or choose ones that are safe to use.

Regularly Inspect Your Septic System

If you have a septic system, you should properly maintain it to ensure groundwater is not contaminated by untreated household water. A malfunctioning septic system can release chemicals, bacteria, and viruses into local waterways. So, to avoid that, hire a professional to inspect your septic tank every three years thoroughly.

Instead, to dispose of medicine, look for local programs in which you can dispose of unwanted medicines in a safe and environmentally-conscious way.

Avoid Using Fertilizers and Pesticides

While many people continue to use fertilizers and pesticides on their lawns and in their gardens, you should think twice before using such chemical substances. Many fertilizers and pesticides contain harmful chemicals that contaminate groundwater after being put onto soil, and the contaminants can travel into streams, rivers, and lakes. So, either avoid using fertilizers and pesticides altogether or choose ones that are safe to use.

Regularly Inspect Your Septic System

If you have a septic system, you should properly maintain it to ensure groundwater is not contaminated by untreated household water. A malfunctioning septic system can potentially release chemicals, bacteria, and viruses into local waterways. So, to avoid that happening, hire a professional to thoroughly inspect your septic tank at least every three years.

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