Water Pollution


Introduction
Finding fresh water is getting harder. For one thing, there are more people on the planet, and that requires more water for washing, growing food, and sustaining life. All those people create a lot of waste, some of which ends up polluting rivers, lakes, and streams. And companies that dump hazardous substances into the water make the problem even worse.

The water in your home is probably pumped from rivers and reservoirs. The more water you use, the more likely it is that some beautiful valley will be flooded as a reservoir, or that some river will begin to run dry, killing the wildlife in and around it. And the more dirty water you send down the drain, the more difficult it is for the sewage system to cope. Accidental overflows of sewage can seriously pollute land and water.


What Pollutes the Water?
There are many, many sources of water pollution, some of which may surprise you. We usually think of huge pipes dumping industrial waste into rivers, but only 10 percent of water pollution comes from industrial dumping.

To fully understand what pollutes water, it is first important to understand where your drinking water comes from. Nearly half of all Americans and three-fourths of those who live in cities get their water from underground sources. Underground water picks up whatever it passes through. Rainwater and melted snow--running off parking lots, rooftops, streets, and farms--carry with them deadly substances. During a storm, the pollutants are washed into rivers and streams. And once they get into the water cycle, they never seem to leave.

One big source of pollution is farmers. Farming uses about two-thirds of all water in the United States. Every year, millions of pounds of pesticides and fertilizers run off of farmland and contaminate the water supply.


How Much Do You Use?
It is difficult to imagine how much water is used in your home every day. Here is a rough guide.


1 flush of the toilet 3.5-7 gallons
1 bath 25-30 gallons
1 10-minute shower 50-70 gallons
1 washing machine load 25-40 gallons
1 dishwasher load 9.5-12 gallons


Try to figure out approximately how many gallons of water you use in your home. If your home is typical, each member of your household uses about 80 gallons of water a day. That's a lot of water, and the less we use, the better it will be for the environment.


What Can You Do?
Take the time to really think about your water use, then don't waste water and don't be a polluter, you can make a difference.

Here's a fun project for kids. The object is to put something in your toilet tank to take up space, so there will be less room, and your toilet will use lesss water. The best thing to put in the tank is a plastic jug, like the kind you get laundry soap, milk, or juice in.

First, soak off the label from the plastic container.
Then get some small rocks and put them in the jug to make it heavier. Fill it with water and put the cap back on. You might need help carrying the jug, now because it can get heavy.
Now get an adult to lift the toilet tank cover off.
Put the bottle in the tank. Be careful that it doesn't get in the way of the arm or chain that helps the toilet to flush.
Then every time you flush, you'll save between one and two gallons of water.
Good for you!

A Rain Barrel!

Spring showers certainly may bring flowers, but they can also bring something very valuable for homeowners - an easy and inexpensive way to offset your water bills and your eco footprint while keeping your landscape green.

A rain barrel harvests rainwater that flows off of your roof and through your home's downspouts. The amount of water that can be collected is astounding. A 1000 sware foot roof feeding a downspout can produce up to 600 gallons of collected rainwater from a one inch rainfall. That's enough water to fill an average hot tub.

Harvesting rainwater is a viable option if you're looking to save money and reduce your eco-footprint. Collected water can be used to water plants and lawns, which is a boon if you're a gardening enthusiast who often has to contend with the fear of a shriveled, brown landscape. In addition, collected rainwater is naturally low in sodium and chlorine, making it a healthier option for plants.

Rainwater can also be used to wash your car or take care of minor clean-up tasks outside of the home.

The money saved by using rainwater in lieu of municipal water for some applications can quickly add up. Who wouldn't want to find a reduced water bill in the mail, especially during these trying economic times?

Many people are interested in harvesting rainwater but think a collection barrel could be an unattractive option in their yard. Others worry about overflow and potential water damage to their home. Manufacturers have developed rainwater harvesting systems that offer peace of mind and aesthetic appeal for the landscape. These smart rain barrels feature distinctive and decorative designs with worry-free downspout connectors. The downspout connector kit allows rainwater to flow from the downsprout into the barrel. Once the rain barrel is full the water is diverted automatically back down the downsprout away from the home's foundation as it is meant to - no risk of overflow. The rain barrels rest flush up against your home in neutral colors that blend with the landscape and most home exteriors. A threaded spigot located on the front of the barrels is at the height to easily fill a standard watering can or connect a garden or soaker hose.

Just a small investment of time and money is needed to add a rainwater harvesting system to your landscape. The reward is a reduction in your eco-footprint, healthier plants, and a savings on your utility bill over time.

Easy Ways To Save Water!

While you're waiting for the water to get cold enough to have a drink, you are waisting water! So fill up a pitcher of water and put it in the refrigerator, and it will be cold when ever you want cold water.

When your waiting for the water to warm up to wash your hands or face, you are waisting water! So fill up a pitcher or empty gallon container with the water that can be used to water house plants.

Don't leave the water running while you brush your teeth!

Don't leave the water running while you wash the dishes! Instead wash your dishes and put them in the other sink, when you have filled up that side of the sink you can rinse them all at one time as it fills up the basin.

Always plug the tub before you start the water running, so you don't waste any.

Time your shower. Then see how little time you can use next time you take a shower. Every minute less it take to shower is more water saved. Take showers instead of baths, this saves water right away. A shower secret: you can easily put in a special "low-flow" shower head. This adds air to the water, so it cuts the amount of shower water used from five gallons a minute to two-and-a-half. That's half as much water and feels great too!

Imagine how much water you could be saving.

Groundwater!

90% of all the water on Earth that human beings can drink right now is from underground.

Most of the water in the world isn't drinkable, like the salt water from oceans, and the polar ice caps since we can't just melt a part of the world.

So what is left for us to drink? The water in lakes, rivers, streams and what comes from underground.

It is really easy to pollute this underground water by dumping common, everyday things on the ground, and like a sponge the Earth will soak it up. Things like motor oil when your working on your car. Or spill some gasoline when filling a car or lawnmower. Even insecticides used for killing bus in gardens or used on farms. Just because it rains and washes it away it is not gone, but infact going into the water system.

Think twice about dumping harmful liquids onto the ground.

Find out the right ways to dispose of harmful liquids. Do not toss them in the garbage, but store them in a safe place out of reach of small kids, and find out when the next "toxic waste collection" will be done at your local dump.

Speak up if you see someone else dumping harmful liquids.

Watering Your Lawn!

Most people over water their lawn, this is a huge waste of water. When actually, most lawns only need an inch of water each week.

The best times to water the lawn is early in the morning, or in the evening. This is when the chance of water drying up in the heat is at the lowest, or what is known as evaporation.

Do Not! Water on windy days, the wind just blows the water away.

Make sure your sprinklers DO NOT water the sidewalk or driveway, where nothing grows.

Use a watering can or hose for small areas that need more water, like vegetable plants. Water it slowly and deeply, so the roots that need the water the most are able to get it.

Here is a simple "inch test"
This will help you to find out how long your sprinkler should be on.

First call the water company that supplies the water in your area (you might need an adult to do this for you). Ask them if an inch of water a week is the right amount where you live.

You will need a ruler, a watch and three empty cans (like a soup or veggy can).

Set the cans on your lawn. One should be close to the sprinkler; one should be at medium distance away; and the last can should be at the far end of the sprinkler's reach.

Now turn on the sprinkler. Check every few minutes and see how long it takes for an inch of water to build up in each can. Write down how long it takes for each one.

Add the three times together and divide by 3 to get an average time.

The number you get is the amount of time you need to water your lawn for it to get an inch of water. If you water the lawn that long each week, it will get the water it needs, but not too much.

Adopt A Stream!

I am sure you have seen the signs "Adopt A Highway", where people take the time to clean up the sides of the road. So why not adopt a stream or creek, or any other body of water in your area. If you enjoy playing, and to explore, or skip rocks, swim in, or maybe even fish in; then why not take the time to help keep it clean!

Get your friends, family, co-works to join you. Pick a date, and time to go and clean up a stream, and bring some gloves and plastic bags. After all the work is done, why not have some fun together, or may be a picnic. You can also plan a planting party where you would plant trees or shubs or even flowers to add more beauty to the stream area. This will help to keep the soil from washing away into the stream and protect animals that live in the stream as well.

Did you know that the color and smell of a stream can tell you a lot about what is happening to it?

Green water - this can mean very small plants called "algae" are in the water. This makes it hard for any other life to exist in the stream.

Muddy water - this can mean there is too much dirt in the water, which makes it hard for the fish to breathe. This stream may need more plants to be planted along its bank.

A shiny film on the water - this can mean there is/or was oil leaking into the stream. That is poison and should be stopped. My might want to try and find out where it is coming from by going upstream. (make sure to have an adult with you just in case, better to be prepared and safe when investigating) then you can report the problem.

Foam or suds in the water - this can mean there is soap from homes or factories that is leaking into it. (again you might want to investigate or report it)

If there is a rotten egg smell - this is bad news! There could be sewage waste that is leaking into the stream and this could make you sick, or even will water life. Call your local sewage company to see if they are aware of the issue and your concern.

Orange or red coating on the water - this might mean a factory is dumping pollutants into the stream. This you should NOT investage but call the police with your concern and let them to investigate.

Good news - if you find fish, or lots of bugs, in the water, that is a good sign. It means ther is lots of oxygen there.

Tip for dog owners - DO NOT let your pet leave its waste in or near a stream. Please pick up after them. Animal waste can pollute the water in a stream too. Thank you