Improve Your Drinking Water During National Water Quality Month
August is National Water Quality Month, a time to celebrate the importance of clean water and learn how we can all do our part to protect it. Drinking water is essential for health, and it's important to make sure that our water supply is safe for everyone. In this blog post, we will discuss some simple ways that you can protect your drinking water and keep your family healthy!
Know What’s in Your Water Supply
One way to protect your drinking water is to be aware of what is going into it. If you live in an area with a public water supply, you can check the local water quality report to see if there are any contaminants in the water. You can also have your well water tested regularly to make sure that it is safe to drink. If you are on a private well, you should have your water tested at least once a year.
Contaminants Found in Drinking Water:
PFOA and PFOS (two types of PFAS) are found in drinking water because they are used in a variety of manufactured products, including Teflon. These “forever” chemicals have been linked to several health problems, including cancer and birth defects. The EPA sets a limit for how much PFOS/PFOA can be in drinking water, but many people are still exposed to them.
Lead is often present in tap water, as it leaches from pipes and fixtures. EPA has set a limit of 15 parts per billion (ppb) for lead in drinking water, but many utilities struggle to meet that standard. In some cases, the lead levels in tap water are much higher. This can be a serious health concern, as lead can cause neurological and developmental problems in children.
Fluoride is added to the water supply in many regions to help prevent dental cavities. This mineral occurs naturally in water, and while it is beneficial in small doses, too much fluoride can be harmful. Too much fluoride can lead to dental fluorosis, a condition that results in white patches on teeth. It can also cause skeletal fluorosis, which affects the bones and may lead to joint pain and arthritis.
Asbestos is a mineral that was used in a variety of building materials including insulation, floor tiles, and roofing. It can enter water supplies through natural deposits or from man-made sources such as erosion from asbestos-containing materials in buildings or from mining and processing operations. While the amount of asbestos in tap water is usually low, it can still pose a health risk to people who drink it.
Chlorine is commonly used to disinfect water and make it safe for human consumption. In tap water, chlorine is used as a disinfectant to kill harmful bacteria and viruses. It is also used to control the pH of the water. However, Chlorine is a toxic chemical, and it can be harmful if consumed at high levels.
Dispose of Chemicals Properly or Find Alternatives
Another way to protect your drinking water is to be careful about what goes down the drain. Many household cleaners and chemicals can contaminate our water supply if they are not used properly. Make sure that you read the labels on all your cleaning products and follow the directions carefully. You should also avoid dumping oil, grease, or chemicals down the drain. Alternatively, try to find products that are made with natural and safe ingredients.
Use a Water Filter
Using a water filter for removing contaminants is a great way to protect your drinking water. You’ll want to invest in a reliable water filter device like the ZeroWater® 5-Stage Filtration System that filters PFOA/PFOS, Lead, total dissolved solids (TDS), Chlorine, heavy metals, and other contaminants. Plus, filtered water has a fresher and more clear taste. It’s important that you change your filter regularly; our 5-Stage filters should be changed once the TDS meter reading is 006.
Conserve Water
You can also help protect our drinking water by conserving it. This means using less water in your home and being careful not to pollute it. You can conserve water by fixing leaks, watering your plants during the cooler hours of the day, and using low-flow showerheads and toilets.
Be an Advocate
Finally, celebrate National Water Quality Month by spreading the word on social media or hosting a community event focused on protecting our water supply. You could invite a local environmental group to speak at your event or host a workshop on water conservation. By raising awareness about the importance of clean water, you can help make a difference in your community!
National Water Quality Month is a great time to learn more about how we can all do our part to protect our drinking water. By following these simple tips, you can help keep your family healthy and make a difference in your community.
Thanks for reading; we hope you found this blog post helpful. If you did, please share it with your friends and family using the links below. Together, we can all do our part to protect our drinking water!