In 2019, an investigation by more than 120 journalists and 10 media organizations revealed that thousands of Canadians could be drinking water contaminated with high levels of lead. In the U.S., National Geographic reported that a quarter of Americans are drinking unsafe water. Does this make you wonder about the water that you drink?
With August being Water Quality Month, we thought we’d present some easy things that you can do to improve the water quality in your home and community. In this blog post, we will outline 8 simple tips for improving water quality.
Clean and Replace Water Filters
Over time, bacteria, metals and other contaminants can build up in water filters. This buildup can cause water filters to no longer work properly and can even cause a foul taste or smell. To prevent a sour taste or smell, be sure to follow the instructions for your specific water filter. This might mean routinely cleaning it or replacing the filters every so often. To learn more about water filters, check out our blog post on The Basics on Water Filtration or our blog post on Choosing a Proper Water Filter Cartridge.
Replace Old Pipes and Plumbing
To prevent lead from getting into your water, replace aging pipes and plumbing parts. Be sure to replace old pipes and plumbing components with lead-free plumbing parts. For more on lead-free certifications, check out this blog post on Why You Should Pay More Attention to Plumbing Product Certifications.
Run Water That Has Been Sitting
When water hasn’t been used in a while and has been sitting in your pipes for a long period of time, the water quality can decline. If that’s the case, run cold water taps for two minutes before using, drinking or cooking.
Annually Drain Your Water Heater
Sediment, bacteria and metals can build up in your water heater tank so it’s important to drain your water heater on an annual basis. Annually draining your water heater can improve your household water quality and even the water pressure in your home. Refer to your water heater manufacturer for more information and instruction.
Switch to Eco-Friendly and Non-Toxic Products
Cleaning supplies, shampoos and soaps can end up in the water supply so be mindful of what you put down the drain. Consider switching to eco-friendly and/or non-toxic personal care items and cleaning supplies.
Dispose Hazardous Wastes Properly
Hazardous chemicals, like pesticides and prescriptions, should be disposed properly. Disposing hazardous wastes the right way keeps dangerous chemicals from getting into your water.
Use Pesticides and Fertilizers Properly
Applying the appropriate amount of pesticides and fertilizers at the right time weather-wise can improve the health of your water. If too much has been applied and/or it has been applied right before it rains, the chemicals from pesticides and fertilizers can run directly into your local waterway. Before applying pesticide or fertilizer, follow the product label and check your local weather forecast.
Pick Up Pet Waste
Always pick up pet waste right away and put it in the garbage or flush it down the toilet. Scooping up pet waste from your lawn keeps bacteria from running into storm drains.
Hopefully, you’ve found this blog post helpful, and have learned a tip or two that you can apply to your own life! Please let us know if there’s anything that we may have missed or if you give any of these suggestions a try!
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