Water is one of the world's most important resources and we can all do our part to prevent it from being polluted. Simple steps like using natural cleaning products at home and avoiding toxic ones and planting more trees and flowers in your yard or yard can have a significant impact. On a larger scale, consider opposing industries that dump waste into local creeks, rivers, and foreshores or shores to reduce water pollution in your community. Every action you take will make a significant difference.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Changing Household Routines
Step 1. Reduce the use of chemicals to clean the house
It's a simple step that can make a big difference. Using toxic chemicals such as bleach and ammonia to clean the house is not only bad for the water supply but also inappropriate. Natural cleaners are just as effective at cleaning your home and you don't have to worry about contributing to water pollution when using them.
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides a list of cleaning products (as well as a variety of other products) that are considered "green," meaning they will not contaminate water supplies. See epa.gov/greenerproducts.
- Commonly available household items like white vinegar and baking soda can be used for everything from washing windows to scrubbing bathroom tiles, and they are non-toxic.
Step 2. Dispose of waste the right way
Do not pour anything that cannot be naturally recycled into drains. When you think you need to use something that could poison your water supply, such as paint or ammonia, be careful when disposing of it. If you don't know how to dispose of something, you can check your local government website or contact the sanitation department to find out how to dispose of toxic waste in your community. The following materials should not be discharged into waterways:
- Paint
- Motor oil
- Cleaning solution
- Ammonia
- Chemicals for swimming pools
Step 3. Do not flush medication down the toilet
Medicines are made with various substances that can contaminate water supplies. If you have unused or leftover medications, try to find a local "take it back" program that allows you to hand over unused medications so they can be disposed of properly. Through this program, drugs will not end up in water sources which can harm humans and animals as a result.
Step 4. Do not throw garbage into the toilet
Items that cannot be recycled, such as diapers, wet wipes, and plastic tampons can cause problems in the sewer system. These items will eventually end up in local creeks, rivers and other water reservoirs, thereby endangering fish and wildlife. Instead of throwing it down the toilet, throw it in the trash.
You can also help by using cloth diapers, recycled toilet paper, and biodegradable sanitary napkins to reduce waste that builds up in landfills
Step 5. Save as much water usage as possible
Conservation is an important way to conserve water as a global resource. Treating water so it's clean enough to drink and using it for household purposes requires a lot of energy, so it's important to conserve it as much as possible, especially in areas that experience frequent droughts. Practice the following habits to save more water in your home:
- Take a shower instead of soaking in the tub because soaking in the tub consumes more water.
- Turn off the faucet when not in use such as when you are brushing your teeth.
- Do not over-water the grass. Make sure the lawn sprinklers are turned off when it rains.
- Water the garden before sunrise or after sunset to reduce evaporation which leads to water wastage.
Step 6. Avoid using plastic
Because they are not recyclable, plastic often ends up in rivers, lakes, or oceans when it has nowhere else to go. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, for example, is a huge vortex of trash, especially plastic, that has been collected in the ocean because it has nowhere else to go. This waste is harmful to marine life and affects human life as well. If possible, use a glass or cloth container instead of plastic.
Method 2 of 3: Keeping Homepage Pollution Free
Step 1. Do not use pesticides and herbicides
The chemicals are sprayed on the surface of the lawn but when it rains, they leach into the soil and into the groundwater at the bottom. Contaminated groundwater can have negative effects on the environment and the people who depend on it. Turn to natural methods to get rid of pests and weeds.
- Seek information on organic gardening practices to find creative ways to deal with garden pests. For example, many pests can be treated using a simple solution of dish soap and water.
- Planting native species can also help as native species have developed resistance to pests and weeds in the area. Species native to soils in other areas also tend to be susceptible to disease.
Step 2. Do not use a concrete surface and replace it with an earthen pile
When homes are surrounded by concrete patios and other surfaces, pool chemicals and runoff leach into the groundwater and are not evenly distributed on the surface. It may be tempting to cover the entire yard with a layer of concrete so you don't have to mow the lawn but basically maintaining the lawn is much better for the environment.
Step 3. Prevent soil erosion
When soil erodes and ends up in creeks, rivers and other waterways, the chemicals contained in the soil mix with the water and create problems for plant and animal life. For example, when the phosphorus content of the water becomes too high, this will result in high algae growth that can eventually kill the fish population. The best way to prevent erosion is to keep the soil in place by planting lots of native trees, shrubs, grasses and heaps of soil. Plant roots hold the soil in place and prevent it from falling into the water.
Step 4. Collect garbage and make compost from yard waste
Garbage in the yard can easily be carried by the wind to the sewer when it rains. Even if the waste does not contain chemicals such as herbicides and pesticides, debris from branches, leaves, and grass clippings can flood waterways filled with unhealthy substances.
- Compost needs to be stored in a container or barrel to prevent it from being carried away by water. Some cities provide containers for free or at a low cost.
- Don't pocket the grass clippings, instead use a mulch mower. A mulch mower adds a layer of natural compost to the yard so you don't have to remove grass clippings.
- Dispose of yard waste and grass clippings in a proper manner. If you don't compost or if you have yard waste that can't be composted, contact your local waste management or environmental protection agency to decide how to dispose of it.
Step 5. Keep the car in good condition
If your car is leaking oil and other chemicals, they can leach into the water underground. Take your car to a repair shop for regular inspections and be sure to repair it immediately in the event of a leak.
In addition, don't forget to dispose of motor oil the right way, instead of just pouring it down the drain
Method 3 of 3: Extending Reach
Step 1. Be actively involved in activities at school and at work
You can take the same actions at work or school as you already do at home to reduce water pollution. Try to find out about the rules and policies at work or school and think of steps you can take to facilitate a pollution-free environment. Getting your classmates, teachers, and coworkers involved is a great way to educate others and make meaningful change.
- For example, you can recommend your office or school to use environmentally friendly cleaning products and make suggestions of effective products.
- You can also put a sign in the bathroom area or in the kitchen to remind people about saving water.
Step 2. Clean up trash in waterlogged areas
If you live in an area close to water, there is a lot you can do to reduce pollution and pollution there. Seek information if there is a group of people who work together to clean up a beach, lake, river or sea area. Many cities organize clean-up days that can also be joined by volunteers who want to help clean the environment to protect local waterways from pollution and pollution.
If you haven't found a local group working to reduce water pollution in your area, you can start! Consider starting a cleaning day. Start by setting a date, publishing the event, and then creating a plan for collecting and disposing of trash
Step 3. Speak up about water issues affecting your community
Companies that allow industrial waste to seep into waterways are the biggest contributor to water pollution. There have been regulations made to prevent it but this still happens often. Try to investigate further if there is a particular industry or energy generation plant in your area that is responsible for the pollution of local waters, and speak up about the issue.
- Learn about local and national laws on water pollution and then join a working group to protect the water sources where you live.
- Supporting political candidates working to protect water resources is a great way to do your duty to fight pollution.
Tips
- Think with a wider horizon. You may think that car oil leaks are trivial things. However, thousands or millions of cars, each with minor oil leaks, will accumulate and without us realizing the effects of an oil spill will be worse than an oil spill caused by a tanker accident. You can't fix all the oil leaks in the world, but at least you can fix your car. Take part to participate in solving existing problems.
- If you want to ascertain the dangers of a particular substance or condition, seek information through your local waste management or environmental protection department, or do some research online.
- In some areas, agricultural runoff may be a bigger pollution problem than urban runoff. If you are involved in agriculture, contact your local extension agency or environmental protection agency to find out more about steps you can take to reduce your impact on the local environment.
- Educate family, friends and neighbors on ways to reduce their contribution to pollution. If your community does not yet have an environmental education program, pollution control regulations or hazardous waste recycling facility, try to take the initiative in doing this.
