Efforts to Improve the Quality of Our Water
Water contamination is a problem for everyone. From losing our bodies of water to the long term effects of reduced reproduction, there are a number of problems from water pollution. But with efforts to improve the quality of our water, there is hope that the quality of the water we depend upon will improve. Monitoring the state of natural water in conjunction with conservation, recycling, treatment, and pollution control are all efforts that can be made by average consumers as well as manufacturers to improve the quality of water.
Monitoring the State of Natural Water
Monitoring the state of natural water is something that can be done on a state by state basis. While there is not much that general consumers can do on this front, there are certainly some steps that can be taken to get involved. Regular consumers can read the state government reports on the quality of drinking water sources. It is also a good idea for regular consumers to visibly monitor the quality of drinking water sources by simply watching the water for debris, garbage, and clarity. If there is a drastic change, it should be reported directly.
Manufacturers have a responsibility to monitor the state of natural water sources as well. By keeping an eye on these sources, the manufacturers can take steps to stop any unnecessary contamination before it becomes a problem. Things such as tank leaks and runoff can be taken care of quickly and inexpensively if manufacturers see the problems as they are starting. This monitoring makes sense economically and ecologically.
Water Conservation
Water conservation is an important part in the effort to improve the quality of natural drinking water. By taking a few steps towards water conservation, you can give environmental agencies a chance to clean up the water that needs help so that there is more clean water available when it is truly needed. Some steps people can take are:
- Taking shorter showers
- Watering your lawn only when it needs it
- Fixing leaking pipes and faucets immediately to reduce water loss
- Running full loads of laundry and dishes in washing machines and dishwashers
- Using brooms to clean sidewalks and driveways instead of a hose
Water Recycling
Water recycling is something that can most frequently be used by manufacturers to save the clean water that still exists. Using wastewater for other things can be a great way to recycle water, not just for big business though. People at home can work at recycling water as well. Things like catching water when trying to run cold or hot water to use later on watering plants and washing a car at home with the same bucket of water can help conserve water and give environmental agencies a chance to provide more clean water when it is needed.
Water Treatment
Treating water so that it is more palatable can be the difference between drinking a whole glass and pouring out most of it. By ensuring that water for drinking tastes, smells, and looks good, you can reassure that you�re going to waste less water by just throwing it out. Water treatment also reduces the amount of water that manufacturers have to use because there is less water they have to throw out that is full of unwanted contaminants.
Pollution Control
Pollution control is an excellent way to make an effort towards improving the quality of natural drinking water. Manufacturers are obvious proponents of pollution control for the simple reason that it saves money. Big businesses are no longer as willing to dump chemicals and other contaminants into natural water sources because there are simple things they can do to keep from getting fined by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Consumers can also help with pollution control either by buying chemicals and products marked as being less hazardous to the environment, or by taking care to dispose of harmful products correctly. There are several products on the market now with small icons printed on them that indicate that they are less harmful for the environment. Buying these products not only promotes the creation of more products like that, but is safer for disposal. Disposing of harmful products correctly helps avoid runoff into ground water and avoids unnecessary pollution.
Making an effort to improve the quality of our natural water has excellent results in the long and short runs. It allows environmental agencies to have more time to clean up the water that is already contaminated and conserves water so that it is there when it is needed. Conservation, monitoring, recycling, pollution control and water treatment are all ways to improve the quality of drinking water and can be embraced by both the manufacturers and individual consumers as well.