Water quality, we all want it but who really has it? Through environmental awareness efforts by non-profits and national governments, communities are taking increased ownership of their water quality
As many proactive areas are learning, water quality goes beyond safe drinking water. The quality of the water in our communities and the quality of the World’s water are one in the same thanks to the water cycle
Below the Earth’s surface are watersheds that contain and control the flow and access to water underground. Watersheds also include lakes, rivers and ponds where water has either risen to the surface or sits upon a depression in the land. When we use indoor plumbing and stormwater sewers, we are funneling the “excess” water into watersheds. Although some is sent back to be reclaimed by water facilities, more often than not, water of poor quality is released back into nature. So what can you, the average consumer armed with a little environmental awareness, help?
First, what you put down the drain ends up somewhere, and that somewhere is your watershed. That means using non-toxic and biodegradable products in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry room are very important.
The top offenders in no particular order are:
- Laundry detergent
- Dish and hand soap
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Feminine products
- Medicine
With a little environmental awareness and improved consumer choices, we can reduce the severe damage these items have on our water quality
The black abyss beneath the grates on the street lead somewhere, and that somewhere is your watershed again. Stormwater sewers are designed to help guide water to the lower parts of a watershed since asphalt and our built environment are not necessarily made to absorb rain. These drains lead often to wetlands that mitigate the flow and then on to the nearest body of water. You would be shocked to find what lays just beyond the stormwater sewer pipe. A graveyard of plastic along with other forms of litter and copious amounts of yard waste await you. Anything that is dumped in the street and is “magically” washed away ends up in these not so natural landfills. So do your watershed (and neighborhood) a favor and refrain from littering, dumping, or pushing your yard waste down street grates.
What can you do beyond consumer choices?
Participate in a local river or watershed clean-up. You can paddle down local streams, or trek alongside the stormwater drains to see just what an impact our industrialized society has upon Mother Nature. As a citizen, you can also support or start-up legislation to promote permeable surfaces for streets and sidewalks that can help absorb the water.
Don’t be fooled by Mother Nature though, she has some safeguards in place to help keep our waterways a little cleaner
Wetlands, although not common everywhere, tend to soak up dissolved toxins through plants such as Cattails. Watersheds in general can tolerate large fluxes in water naturally, so they can help absorb and redistribute the water. So when we direct all of our runoff water back to the lowest points, the lakes and rivers, Mother Nature is ready and waiting to whisk it away. That said, these toxins and pollutant have a source, and that source is our homes.
Through an increase in environmental awareness and a nudge from legislation, we can severely reduce poor water quality for not only us but for the World since we are all part of the same water cycle
With thanks to Just Means / Ethical Consumption
