How do they affect water quality, and what can you do to keep your family safe?
News reports about environmental issues impacting water supply seem to be everywhere – from vegetable recalls over E. coli contamination to harmful algal blooms in the Great Lakes. As population growth continues and the world looks for more ways to feed people and support homes and businesses, water quality suffers. Lakes, rivers, oceans, and streams are the lowest points of our landscape, meaning that any runoff from farms, factories, parking lots, and more gets pushed into our waterways. Since water is a universal solvent, it absorbs these harmful materials – and they sometimes wind up in our drinking water.
That’s why drinking water testing has become more widespread than ever. It’s also become more advanced, allowing homeowners to proactively test their tap water by sending it to a lab for comprehensive analysis.
Is water testing right for you? And how often should you be monitoring your home’s water quality? Consider these environmental issues in water – and what you can do about them:
Agricultural Runoff
According to the EPA, agricultural activities are the largest water users in most parts of the United States. Unfortunately, agricultural irrigation is highly inefficient, with less than half of all water actually reaching crops and animals. This creates what’s known as agricultural runoff which is a polluted runoff, a major contributor to water pollution.
Agricultural runoff has significantly increased over the years due to many of today’s modern farming practices like increased fertilizer and pesticide use, larger farms, and the concentration of livestock in large feeding operations (CAFOs), which produce significant amounts of animal waste. The result is more pollutants like nitrates and phosphates entering waterways, causing nutrient pollution and issues like algal blooms, impacting the aquatic ecosystems that help keep our water clean and healthy. Exposure to algal bloom toxins can lead to gastrointestinal diseases, vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal issues. While municipal water plants treat for nitrates and phosphates in drinking water, people on well systems might need to take extra precautions – including installing treatment systems to address contaminated water.
Urban Development, Industrial Pollution and Stormwater Runoff
From oil and gas on our roadways to oil spills in our oceans – urban and industrial pollution are all around us. When it rains, all those pollutants contribute to polluted runoff that must go somewhere. According to the NRDC, nearly half of the estimated 1 million tons of oil that makes its way into our waterways each year comes not from tanker spills, but from land-based sources of water pollution such as factories, farms, and cities.
Urban runoff from homes and businesses can increase the concentration of metals and industrial chemicals in water – including lead, copper, and mercury. Industrial waste discharge, aging infrastructure pipes, and the natural erosion of rocks and soil in densely populated areas can force metals into groundwater or a surface water body.
Extreme Weather Events
You don’t have to live near a hurricane hotspot, in an arid climate, or in tornado alley to experience the effects of a changing climate. Many of us have seen more extreme weather than ever – with heavy rain and flooding or long-term droughts. These extreme events can disrupt natural systems and drive more bacteria and parasites into our waterways.
Heavy rains can overwhelm aging storm drainage systems, leading to sewage backups. Droughts not only limit the amount of water that’s available – leading to water scarcity – they also increase the concentration of pollutants in water and cause stagnation. With droughts come wildfires, and the resulting ash, debris, and heat can decrease oxygen levels in water, causing oxygen depletion and killing the aquatic life that can help regulate algae and water quality.
How Can Homeowners Take Action?
Be Water Aware
According to the CDC, anyone can get sick from contaminated drinking water – even if you’re perfectly healthy. Illnesses like diarrhea can come on suddenly, while exposure to metals like lead can cause health concerns over time. These are examples of waterborne diseases caused by unsafe drinking water. If you notice any sudden health issues that don’t go away, it could be your water. It’s also smart to understand what’s happening around you. If there’s more commercial development in your area, it can lead to increased water runoff. If your area experiences a sudden drought or period of heavy storms, pay extra attention to the water coming out of your taps and consider getting it tested.
Schedule Regular Water Testing
Funny smelling or looking tap water can be a red flag for poor water quality. However, the most common water contaminants are nearly impossible to detect just by looking at your home’s drinking water. Contaminated tap water doesn’t usually taste or smell different, and people typically assume that an upset stomach is due to poor eating habits or household viruses. That’s why regular water testing is so important. It detects different types of contamination and will tell you exactly what’s in your water.
Depending on where your water originates, there are different things you should consider. If you have a private water well, there is no regulation by the government, meaning you are responsible for ensuring the water is safe to drink and free from groundwater pollution. If you have city water, your water is treated and tested regularly at the wastewater treatment plants. However, water can become contaminated as it leaves the facility, travels through old pipes, and into your home, potentially introducing unsafe water. Testing is easy to do, and FDA-approved testing is some of the most stringent available. Testing should be like any home maintenance project. Just like cleaning your gutters keeps your foundation safe, checking your water quality can keep your family healthy.
Invest in Water Filtration Systems
If you detect water quality issues – or you just want to proactively stay on top of water quality – a water filtration system can help. Three types of treatment strategies are generally considered; whole house treatment, point of use [installed at a specific faucet], or pitchers with filters [Brita is a common brand name]. These systems can be very effective in reducing harmful chemicals, water softening, and removing chlorine to improve taste. In addition to treatment systems, home delivery of bottled water or retail purchase of bottled water may provide a long term or temporary solution to your quality issues.
When you test your water with Watercheck™, you’ll receive a detailed report on what’s in your water. We also offer many additional suggestions for treatment options. It is possible to treat almost any water problem with proper treatment equipment. This can be done safely, reliably, and at a reasonable cost.
Support Community Water Quality Initiatives
Better water starts at the source. Encourage your local leaders and business owners to consider how they can help protect our waterways. Many farmers are beginning to recognize their role in agricultural runoff and have begun to mitigate the issue with cover crops, no-till farming, and nutrient management plans to reduce fertilizer runoff. You can also support local agriculture, which often travels shorter distances from field to table, thereby requiring less chemicals for growth.
Want to learn more?
Water is a vital resource that we can’t live without. Water quality affects us all – and regular testing can help you learn more about the water you use every day. Check out not only our testing resources – but also our catalog of news articles that share more information on water pollutants and their effect on human health.
