During August, National Water Quality Month is dedicated to making the most from the limited amount of fresh water we have, because having clean water is vital to our individual health, our collective agricultural needs, and the needs of our environment.
National Water quality month reminds us to take a moment to consider how important water resources are not only to humans but to all other organisms within their ecosystems. Whether it be the fish that live in the waters or plants and animals that rely on lakes and rivers for water just like we do. By thinking about the little things that you do on a daily basis that could have a negative effect on water quality, you are one step closer to making a difference.
How Did National Water Quality Month Start?
The history of National Water Quality Month originally dates back to two US congressional acts that were passed in the early 1970s in an effort to protect our water sources. Starting with the Clean Water Act that was passed in 1972, the federal government began taking steps to curb water pollution by making it illegal to dump high amounts of toxic materials into bodies of water. This set the standard for making sure that surface water was up to certain standards before being used for human consumption and recreation. In 1974, the Safe Drinking Water Act was passed to further protect the quality of groundwater and public water systems.
From there, National Water Quality Month was founded in 2005 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and backed by the United Nations in an effort to promote civic discourse about how to conserve our natural water sources by starting conversations on what we can do in our own households and communities to ensure that we all have access to safe, clean drinking water for generations to come across the globe.
Since there are a limited amount of sources we get our water from, and we have yet to find a way to manufacture water, it’s vitally important to protect these sources. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and the water utility companies themselves all play a part in making sure that the water that comes from our taps are always safe for use.
Ironically, even though water makes up over 70% of Earth’s surface area, the total amount of fresh water found on Earth only makes up around 3% of the water supply, 1% of which is easily accessible. This 1% accounts for all of our lakes, rivers, groundwater, aquifers, and streams. With this in mind, one can imagine that sustaining the needs of over 7 billion people on earth is no easy task.
What Causes Poor Water Quality?
Dumping industrial effluents
When companies that own manufacturing factories don’t uphold strict policies for their disposal of industrial effluents, they are effectively polluting their local waterways.
Agricultural runoff
Fertilizer runoff from commercial farms into the waters causes excess algae growth which suffocates fish and other aquatic life.
Leakage of untreated waste
Without regular maintenance, public infrastructure like our sewage systems falls into states of disrepair, letting untreated or inadequately treated municipal sewage leak into our groundwater and surface water, especially in developing countries.
Products and chemicals used at home
Even the pesticides that we use on our backyards, outdoor recreation centers, and golf courses pose a serious threat of contamination to our lakes, rivers, and aquifers.
Where Do We Get Our Water?
By getting more acquainted with where our water comes from, you can figure out where and how your local community gets its water.
Groundwater
This encompasses all of the aquifers and other sources of water buried underground. Scientists estimate that this makes up ~ 1% of our total usable water.
Surface water
Surface water includes all of the water found in our lakes, rivers, and other terrestrial sources. Remember, discovering the source of drinking water is just the beginning, in order to learn more about the water that comes out of your faucet specifically, you’ll want to read through your local water quality report.
How to Celebrate Water Quality Month
Fortunately for us, there are plenty of ways to keep our waters clean, all of which start with being mindful of the possible effects our activities might have on the environment.
Knowing where your water comes from makes it easier to appreciate the quality of your local waterways, and can motivate you and your community to keep these water sources as clean as possible.
