Managing the water quality in your home is important, especially when it comes to mitigating water waste. Poor water quality, use and disposal can not only adversely impact your household, but also your community.
“One thing to keep in mind: just because it disappears, doesn’t mean it goes away,” explains Ted Puzio, owner of Southern Trust Home Services, a Virginia-based HVAC, plumbing and electrical service provider.
Puzio says improper disposal is one of the leading causes of compromised water quality. Sewer treatment plants do not eliminate 100 percent of the chemicals commonly disposed of by drain—detergents, lotions, pharmaceuticals and soaps, for instance. These toxins inevitably end up in the water supply.
To prevent contamination, consider using eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaners and personal care items instead of chemical-containing products, as well as properly disposing of hazardous chemicals at a dedicated site in your community.
Pet waste is another culprit of poor water quality, says Puzio. Be sure to remove pet waste as soon as possible to prevent bacteria from entering the water supply.
Overwatering your lawn can also be detrimental to water quality, Puzio says. Overwatering displaces chemical fertilizers down to the groundwater level, which is where most drinking water is derived from. Not sure if your lawn needs watering? Walk on it—if footprints remain, it’s time to water it.
Don’t neglect natural occurrences, either, Puzio adds. Storm runoff is a major contributor to water pollution. A rain barrel will not only lessen runoff and preserve the quality of your water, but will also reduce the amount of water your household consumes.
Source: Southern Trust Home Services
