Water Pollution: Be informed

The first step to avoiding unnecessary environmental damage is to understand what impact our actions are having on our environment. PBS has recently published an enlightening documentary about water pollution called Poisoned Waters which they are making available for free and without commercials…

While most of us have some idea how chemical pesticides and rain water run-off can be damaging to our environment, I would venture that most of us do not fully understand the impact. Check out the PBS documentary here then read on to get some tips you can apply to your own household.

Tips to avoid unnecessary water pollution:

1) Use permeable surfaces around your home or business: Rain water run-off is the single biggest source of pollution to our water supplies. If you are considering a new patio, driveway or parking area, please look into using permeable surfaces such as pavers or gravel that allow water to trickle through them and back into the ground (as opposed to impervious concrete which collects water along with all of its contaminants and funnels it into sewers).

2) Avoid chemical fertilizers and pesticides on your lawns and gardens.

3) Properly dispose of animal waste: You may be surprised to know that the most environmentally friendly way of disposing of Fido’s doggie poo is actually to double bag it and place it in your trash receptacle. If you instead bury or try to compost it you risk contaminating local water supplies with bacteria that can be harmful to human health.

4) Collect rain water: By collecting rain water, not only do you decrease polluting rain water run off, but you can then use that water on your lawns and gardens. Typical hose water takes a lot of energy to purify and pump to your home.

5) For those of you who raise livestock, look into ways to reuse your animal waste as fertilizer if you are not already doing so.

If you have projects you have done along these lines, please share with us!