Minimizing Water Contamination: Strategies To Protect Our Vital Resource

Water contamination is a pressing issue, with only 0.3% of the Earth's water being fresh and accessible. Water pollution occurs when waste materials, such as trash, oil, chemicals, and residue from cleaning products, enter water sources like lakes, streams, or oceans. This has detrimental effects on human health and the environment. To reduce water contamination, individuals can adopt simple measures in their daily lives, such as conserving water, disposing of waste properly, using environmentally friendly products, and reducing the use of pesticides and fertilisers. Additionally, it is important to prevent the disposal of harmful substances, such as paints, oils, and chemicals, into water sources and to promote the use of organic and environmentally friendly alternatives.

Dispose of waste properly

Proper waste disposal is crucial to reducing water contamination. When enjoying outdoor spaces, it is important to anticipate the types of waste that will be generated and to know the proper techniques for disposing of each type of waste in the specific area. This is essential to minimise the impact on the environment, other people, water sources, and wildlife.

For general litter and trash, the "pack it in, pack it out" principle should be followed. This means packing out all trash, leftover food, and litter when leaving a campsite or rest area. Burning trash is never recommended. Trash can take significant time to break down and is incredibly harmful to wildlife, so it is the responsibility of any user of natural spaces to clean up before they leave. It is also important to keep trash out of yards and streets, as this can end up in creeks and streams, causing water pollution.

Human waste should be deposited in catholes dug 6-8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water sources, trails, and camps. The cathole should then be covered and disguised with natural materials. In some environments, particularly fragile alpine or desert settings, land managers may require that all solid human waste be packed out. Several EPA-approved, commercially produced pack-out systems are available for this purpose. Toilet paper should be buried deep in a cathole or packed out as trash.

When washing yourself or your dishes outdoors, carry water at least 200 feet away from water sources and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained wastewater well away from camp, especially if bears are a concern. For dishwashing, collect water in a clean pot or container and take it to a wash site at least 200 feet away from water sources. Strain the dirty dishwater with a fine mesh strainer and scatter it away from camp, then pack out the contents of the strainer. Soap, even biodegradable soap, can affect water quality, so it is important to minimise its use and to wash away from shorelines.

In the home, it is important to be careful about what you put down your sink or toilet. Do not dispose of paints, oils, or other forms of litter down the drain. Compost food scraps instead of using a garbage disposal in your sink.

Avoid using pesticides and fertilisers

Pesticides and fertilisers are often used in agriculture to increase crop yield and protect crops from pests and diseases. However, overuse of these chemicals can lead to water contamination and have adverse effects on human health and the environment. Here are some ways to avoid using pesticides and fertilisers:

• Use alternative pest control methods: Instead of relying solely on chemical pesticides, explore integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. IPM is an eco-friendly approach that utilises natural predators, biological controls, and cultural practices to manage pests. For example, introducing natural predators like ladybugs or lacewings can help control aphids without the need for pesticides.
• Practise crop rotation and companion planting: Growing a variety of crops in rotation can disrupt pest life cycles and reduce pest pressure. Additionally, companion planting, where certain plants are grown together, can help deter pests and improve crop health. For example, marigolds are known to repel nematodes and other harmful insects.
• Encourage beneficial insects: Attracting and providing habitats for beneficial insects like bees, ladybugs, and parasitic wasps can help with natural pest control. These insects can prey on or parasitise common pests, reducing the need for chemical interventions.
• Practise conservation tillage: Reduced tillage practices, such as no-till or strip-till, can help prevent soil erosion and reduce the risk of pesticide runoff into water bodies. Conservation tillage also improves soil health and structure, promoting the growth of beneficial soil microorganisms that can contribute to natural pest control.
• Apply fertilisers judiciously: Instead of excessive fertiliser application, use soil testing to determine the specific nutrient requirements of your crops. Precision fertiliser application ensures that nutrients are applied at the right time, in the right amount, and in the right place, minimising the risk of fertiliser runoff into water bodies.
• Explore organic fertiliser options: Organic fertilisers, such as compost, manure, and cover crops, provide nutrients to crops while improving soil health and structure. They also contribute to water retention and can help reduce the need for chemical fertilisers.
• Promote soil health: Healthy soil with a diverse population of microorganisms is better equipped to suppress pests and diseases. Practices like cover cropping, crop rotation, and reduced tillage can enhance soil health and reduce the reliance on chemical pesticides and fertilisers.
• Practice integrated pest management (IPM): IPM is an eco-friendly, long-term strategy that focuses on the management of pests through a combination of techniques such as biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and resistant varieties, along with the judicious use of pesticides. By integrating multiple strategies, IPM aims to minimise economic, health, and environmental risks associated with pest management.

Conserve water

Conserving water is essential to prevent water pollution in nearby lakes, rivers, and local watersheds. It also helps to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with treating and distributing water.

In the Home

• Turn off the tap when running water is not necessary. This includes when brushing your teeth, shaving, and washing your hands.
• Take shorter showers and draw less water for baths. Install a water-efficient showerhead (2.5 gallons or less per minute).
• Only run the dishwasher when it is fully loaded and opt for a water-saving model if you are purchasing a new one.
• When washing dishes by hand, fill one basin with wash water and the other with rinse water, rather than letting the water run.
• Keep a bottle of drinking water in the fridge instead of running the tap for cold water.
• Fix any leaky faucets or pipes.
• Install a low-flow or dual-flush toilet.
• Compost food scraps instead of using a garbage disposal in your sink.
• Install a drip-irrigation water system for valuable plants.
• Cut your grass at least three inches high to make it more drought-tolerant.
• Insulate your water pipes to get hot water faster and avoid wasting water while it heats up.

Outdoors

• Wash your car with a bucket of soapy water and a sponge, rather than a hose.
• Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks.
• Reuse "grey water" (water from sinks, bathtubs, and laundry machines) to water plants.
• Water your garden early in the morning to minimize evaporation.
• Harvest rainwater to water your garden.
• Plant drought-resistant lawns, shrubs, and plants.

Avoid using plastic

Plastic is everywhere, and it is almost impossible to eliminate it from our lives. However, we can take steps to cut down on our plastic usage and reduce plastic waste, which will help to reduce water contamination. Here are some ways to avoid using plastic:

Drink Tap Water

Instead of buying bottled water, opt for tap water. Bottled water has about double the microplastic level of tap water on average, and the plastic bottles themselves contribute significantly to plastic waste. Carry a reusable steel or glass bottle and fill it up with tap water when you're out and about. If you're concerned about water quality, consider investing in an NSF-certified water filter.

Avoid Single-Use Plastics

Single-use plastics, such as plastic bags, water bottles, and disposable food containers, are a major source of plastic waste. Instead, opt for reusable alternatives like cloth bags, metal or glass water bottles, and glass or silicone food storage containers.

Reduce Plastic Packaging

Choose products with minimal plastic packaging or opt for packaging made from recyclable materials. Buy fresh food instead of processed food, which is often packaged in plastic. Support local markets that source goods locally and allow you to use refillable containers or bulk bins with your own mesh bags.

Properly Dispose of Plastic Waste

When you do use plastic products, make sure to dispose of them properly. Recycle plastic items whenever possible, and avoid littering. Some communities have "zero-waste" groups that provide guidelines for recycling or composting all your garbage and advocate for local rules to restrict throwaway items.

Support Alternatives to Plastic

Look for products made from alternative materials, such as glass, silicone, or biodegradable options. For example, use glass containers for food storage instead of plastic, and opt for cardboard or paper packaging over plastic.

Educate and Advocate

Educate yourself and others about the impact of plastic on water contamination. Support legislation and community efforts to reduce plastic usage and improve recycling and waste management practices. Vote for policies and politicians that prioritize environmental protection and the reduction of plastic pollution.

Keep your car well-maintained

Keeping your car well-maintained is an important step in reducing water contamination. Here are some ways to do this:

Firstly, it is important to be mindful of where you wash your car. Washing your car on a gravel or grassy area is better than washing it on a street, as this prevents soapy water from flowing into storm drains and waterways. If you wash your car at home, use a bucket of soapy water and a hose with a spring-loaded nozzle, rather than running the hose. Alternatively, take your car to a car wash where they clean and recycle the water.

Another way to keep your car well-maintained is to properly dispose of any car fluids. Motor oil, for example, should never be poured down a storm drain. Instead, take it to your nearest auto parts store, many of which will accept it for free. Similarly, if you are cleaning up a spill, avoid hosing it into a storm drain. Use an absorbent material such as kitty litter or sand, and once the liquid becomes solid, sweep it up and throw it in the trash.

In addition to these specific car maintenance tips, remember that water contamination prevention begins with individuals taking steps to reduce water waste and conserve fuel. This includes simple actions such as turning off the tap when running water is not necessary, taking short showers, and running the washing machine with a full load of clothes. By conserving water and fuel, we can reduce the amount of pollution generated by treating water and burning fuel.

Frequently asked questions