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Turning on your faucet is so amazing! We live in a unique time in history where we can twist a nob and get clean drinking water! Something not often thought about is the source water that the drinking water comes from. Around the world, water is deposited and gathered so that we can freely enjoy clean, uncontaminated source water.
Source Water Protection Week is September 24-30, 2023. During this time, awareness is brought to our water and how we can protect it from pollution and contamination, keeping the sources clean. During this week, celebrate our source water with Smart Rain and the American Water Works Association. Here are five things that you can do to understand our impact on water:
Use appropriate fertilizer
Proper fertilizing is a key component of water protection. By using proper fertilizer, we are providing essential nutrients to plants and soil while also preventing water contamination. When it comes to selecting the right fertilizer for your environment, a few considerations need to be considered.
The type of fertilizer should match the needs of your specific plants: some fertilizers provide more nitrogen, while others are best suited for potassium and sulfur.
Second, the amount of fertilizer to use should be carefully measured based on soil type, climate conditions, and other factors.
Finally, it is important to ensure that the fertilizer is compatible with your local water supply: some forms of nitrogen-based fertilizer can cause contamination if applied too heavily or in the wrong areas.
By selecting the right fertilizer, you can ensure your environment remains healthy and lush. With a little effort and care, you can protect your water and enjoy the benefits of a healthy ecosystem for years to come.
Plant native vegetation
Native plant vegetation can help filter pollutants such as fertilizers and pesticides, which can make their way into water and become harmful. This vegetation also helps prevent soil erosion, which often happens in areas around waterways.
Soil erosion can cause sedimentation, a process where eroded particles are deposited into rivers or lakes. This limits light penetration and oxygen levels in the water making it difficult for aquatic life to survive.
Native plant vegetation also requires less maintenance than other vegetation as it is accustomed to the local climate. This means less use of fertilizers and pesticides, which can seep into water sources and be hazardous.
Smart Rain is dedicated to water conservation. This tip not only helps protect water, but also helps in water conservation as well! Be on the lookout for ways you can incorporate native plants in your landscaping.
Dispose of hazardous waste appropriately
It is our responsibility to protect water sources from any sort of contamination or pollution. One way of protecting our water is by properly disposing of hazardous waste. In order to avoid polluting the source water, there are a few key steps you can take when disposing of hazardous materials.
The first step is to separate the hazardous materials according to their type and characteristics. You should take extra care when disposing of items such as paint, oil, chemicals, or batteries.
Paint – When considering disposal of paint, you need to understand what kind of paint you have. Here are resources to different places to dispose of various kinds of paint:
Oil – The best thing to do when disposing of oil is to recycle. Find more information about how to recycle your oil, read what the EPA has recommended.
Our water is important to protect. Be sure that you are disposing of hazardous materials appropriately.
Participate in local clean-up efforts
Getting involved in local cleanup efforts is a great way to help protect water sources and other natural habitats. Whether it’s joining a community clean-up event or simply doing your part around your neighborhood, every effort makes a difference!
Some of the community projects that are being implemented to help with water clean-up efforts include:
Planting trees along streams and rivers: Trees provide shade over sources of water, which helps reduce surface temperatures and slows down evaporation. They also act as a natural filter, helping to absorb contaminants before they reach the water.
Installing BMPs (Best Management Practices): BMPs are practices used to reduce pollutants in nearby waterways by controlling and treating runoff from farms, industrial sites, or other sources of pollution. Examples include using constructed wetlands to filter runoff before it enters a stream or river.
Implementing green infrastructure: Green infrastructure such as green roofs, rain gardens, and bioswales can help absorb runoff and reduce the number of contaminants that reach source water.
Creating buffer zones: Buffer zones are areas of land that act as a physical barrier between sources of pollution and bodies of water. These areas may be planted with trees or vegetation to help filter out pollutants before they reach source water.
By coming together and implementing these community projects, we can help protect source water and ensure that it remains clean for future generations.
Educate yourself on Source Water
It’s always good to stay informed, especially on an issue as important as our source water. Here are a few things you can do to stay educated on source water protection:
Read up on the Issue - Read up on the current state of water protection in your area. Find out which organizations are involved in source water protection initiatives and what they’re doing to help. You can also read up on the environmental impacts of contaminated water and what you can do to prevent it from happening.
Attend Source Water Symposiums - Attend local symposiums or conferences related to source water protection. These events are a great way to learn about the latest developments and research related to
water protection. Plus, you can network with like-minded individuals who can help you take action on protecting your local source water.
Participate in Community Events - Look out for community events or volunteer opportunities that focus on source water protection. These are a great way to get involved and be part of the effort to protect this valuable resource. You can also find out about how you can help your local source water organization by contributing time or resources.
Join a Source Water Protection Group - Join a local water protection group or an online one to connect with people who are passionate about protecting water. Ask questions, learn more about what’s being done to protect source water in your area, and find out how you can help.
Now that we’ve discussed the importance of our source water, and how you can protect it, it’s time to take action. Be sure you understand how your actions are affecting your own drinking water. Be a protector of your water sources.
