Celebrating National Water Quality Month:

Protecting Our Vital Resource

August is National Water Quality Month, a time to focus on the importance of clean water. With only a small portion of Earth's water being fresh and accessible, protecting this precious resource is crucial for our health, agriculture, and the environment. Here’s why National Water Quality Month matters and how you can make a difference.

The Purpose of National Water Quality Month

Imagine life without easy access to clean water: no drinking fountains, swimming pools, or clean lakes and rivers. Our daily lives would be severely impacted. This month reminds us of water’s importance not just to humans, but also to the ecosystems that rely on it. Simple actions in our daily routines can significantly impact water quality.

History of National Water Quality Month

National Water Quality Month began in 2005, backed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United Nations. It builds on the Clean Water Act of 1972 and the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, which set standards for water quality and helped curb water pollution. These efforts aim to ensure safe, clean drinking water for future generations.

Why Water Quality Matters

Water is essential for all life on Earth. However, clean water is often taken for granted, especially in developed countries. Alarmingly, 52% of U.S. national parks have impaired waterways that don't meet quality standards. Additionally, fertilizer runoff is creating ocean dead zones, and freshwater suitable for consumption is becoming scarcer.

Major Sources of Water Pollution

• Industrial Effluents: Factories polluting local waterways with untreated waste.
• Agricultural Runoff: Fertilizers caus algae blooms, harming aquatic life.
• Untreated Waste Leakage: Aging infrastructure leaks untreated sewage into water sources.
• Household Chemicals: Pesticides, cleaning products, and pool chemicals contaminate water supplies

Sources of Our Water

• Groundwater: Aquifers and underground sources, making up about 1% of our usable water.
• Surface Water: ALakes, rivers, and streams. 

Understanding where our water comes from helps us appreciate and protect it.

How to Celebrate National Water Quality Month

Here are some actions you can take to help maintain water quality:

Community Actions

• Organize stream cleanups
• Plant trees to prevent erosion
• Monitor water quality
• Adopt a watershed
• Start a monthly beach cleaning club

Personal Actions

• Wash your car at a car wash: Prevents chemicals from entering storm drains.
• Pick up after your pet: Prevents nitrogen pollution in water.
• Sweep your driveway instead of hosing it down
• Avoid phosphorus fertilizers: Use organic alternatives.
• Properly dispose of medications: Don’t flush them.
• Dispose of leftover paint correctly
• Recycle used oil and antifreeze
• Avoid antibacterial soaps: They harm marine life.
• Use a rain barrel: Collect rainwater for non-potable uses.

Testing your home water quality can also prevent potential contamination from old pipes or plumbing issues.

By incorporating these practices, we can ensure clean, safe drinking water for everyone. Celebrate National Water Quality Month by taking steps to protect this invaluable resource!