By Katherine Huether
But no, Morrison's woes were caused by contaminated drinking water and could not be cured so easily. There's is a major public health problem and reports from the small Wisconsin town, have left the rest of us wondering where our water comes from, and what dangers lurk in our pipes and taps.
First off, city dwellers should relax, since cities treat and clean water before piping it out to residents.
But people living in rural areas do have reason to worry. Morrison resident got their contaminated water from wells polluted by dirty farm runoff which turned them into breeding grounds for bacteria, parasites and other nasty things.
In the town, more than 100 wells were polluted by agricultural runoff, local officials told the New York Times. As parasites and bacteria seeped into the water, locals got sick from chronic diarrhea, stomach illnesses and ear infections.
“Sometimes it smells like a barn coming out of the faucet,” one resident told the Times.
Farm runoff is for the most part unregulated by federal laws intended to stop pollution and protect drinking water. The Clean Water Act of 1972 regulates chemicals and contaminants that move through pipes or ditches but doesn't concern itself with the waste and manure sprayed in fields that seeps into groundwater.
Now, in case you've never lived near a farm--or never had well water--let me paint you a picture: manure, manure...and fertilizer, which, let's face it, is really more manure.
Even the most sanitary and well-managed farms will leak waste into the surrounding groundwater, and from there to the wells which provide water for rural communities.
Rusty and old lead pipes that often make up a rural plumbing infrastructure are also likely to make well water even less healthy -- but you can take action.
Here are some quick steps you can take to protect yourself and your fellow citizens from contaminated, unhealthy water.
Step 1
Know where your water comes from and what is in it. If you have city water, you can view their public reports. If you have well water, you should get it tested at least twice a year.
Step 2
While it may not affect the water you yourself drink, be sure to dispose of waste properly as it may affect the quality of water other people have to use. The Merrimack River in Massachusetts and New Hampshire experienced decades of pollution because of the Industrial Revolution and the textile mills. The companies were dumping their industrial waste right in the river, and years later, the waters were still unsafe. This applies to farms, businesses and households alike.
We all generate trash, therefore it is imperative to recycle, dispose of hazardous materials properly and minimize our overall waste.
Step 3
Use natural fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides in gardens and lawns. Fertilizer runoff is a huge problem because it can go into the local drinking water sources. Though city water is regulated and tested, the residue that goes in the water may either go unnoticed for a while or may not be removed entirely. It's best to avoid this all together, and use environmentally friendly lawn and garden care products.
Step 4
Use environmentally-safe house cleaning products to help prevent water pollution for the same reasons listed above. Also, keep in mind that traditional cleaners contain chemicals, and the companies who create them generate hazardous waste.
Step 5
There’s more to the story than just saving money. You know those signs that advertise the huge fines you can get for littering? Litter is another thing that can hurt the environment, the eco-system, and can also make its way into our water supply. It seems simple and inconsequential, but if everyone were to throw their bottles, wrappers and cigarette butts in the trash--it would make a big impact on water pollution.
How to Protect Yourself From Water Pollution originally published on eHow
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