The Clean Water Act was passed in 1972, yet, 19.5 million Americas get sick from drinking tap water. New York Times article Toxic Waters offers an in depth look at scope of the problem. Clearly there is much to be done more than 35 years after the law was passed. Naturally, we encourage civic action such as pressuring local, state and federal officials to enforce and strengthen the laws is needed. But we began thinking about what each of us can to do improve water quality right in our own communities. Here are four suggestions you can start using today:
1. keep drugs out of the toilet
Every year more and more prescription drugs are found in our water supply. That’s right, your drinking water may contain trace amounts of antibiotics, birth control hormones, antidepressants, and other pharmaceuticals. The waste water treatment plants do not have the equipment to filter these out of our drinking water systems, so it’s critical that you dispose of unused pills and liquids the right way.
Some communities have set up programs where the local pharmacies will accept old medications. Next time you pick up your prescription, ask if they’ll take back any old or unused drugs. Your garbage company may also have a program for household hazardous waste, so you should also check with them.
If that’s not an option, the Office of National Drug Control Policy has a PDF flyer on the federal guidelines for disposal. It says to:
- Take your prescription drugs out of their original containers.
- Mix drugs with an undesirable substance, such as cat litter or used coffee grounds.
- Put this mixture into a disposable container with a lid, such as an empty margarine tub, or into a sealable bag.
- Conceal or remove any personal information, including Rx number, on the empty containers by covering it with black permanent marker or duct tape, or by scratching it off.
- Place the sealed container with the mixture, and the empty drug containers, in the trash.
2. don’t kill the fish with cleaning products
Since World War II some 75,000 chemicals have been introduced into the American household. The vast majority of these have never been tested by the E.P.A. But there is help for consumers, the E.P.A. created a program called Design for the Enviornment (DfE) which puts products through a scientific review looking for potential human health and environmental effects. A list of consumer cleaning products is available online.
3. steer clear of some soaps and shampoos
The impact of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCP’s) has only recently come to scientists and government officials attention. The E.P.A. sites fragrances, cosmetics, lotions, soaps, and other products we use every day as emerging contaminants in our water supply. Skin care products often contain harmful ingredients, including: “parabens (mimic oestrogen in the body), formaldehyde releasing preservatives (Diazolidinyl Urea, Imidazolidinyl Urea) and artificial fragrances (in nearly everything).” Read the label before you buy!
4. no more toxic lawn care
The sad fact is that no truly environmentally safe product is available to spray on our weeds. Here are a few ways to get rid of those pesky, uninvited guests in your yard, courtesy of the Ecology Center:
- More mulch using a layer of newspaper or corrugated cardboard as a base. Do not use plastic, it doesn’t breathe and kills beneficial organisms in the soil.
- Use native plants which often compete well against the weeds and are appropriate for your regions water supply.
- Tackle them early and pre-spout: dig, amend and rake the soil. One tip, don’t dig deeply as that will encourage the deeper seeds to sprout.
Clearly some of these tips are easier to follow than others. Personally, I have a large yard full of weeds and am not sure how I’d manage clearing it with mulch, or God forbid pulling the weeds by hand. But, I am going to try! What steps are you going to take to ensure clean water for your community?
photo credit: Oldmaison / Flickr
The temperature of the water in the washing machine doesn’t impact the environment.
