Sage-Tips

What is the need for protected water supply?

Source water protection safeguards public health by ensuring the quality and quantity of source water used for drinking-water. Protecting water sources can reduce health risks associated with hazardous agents, particularly for those agents that cannot be effectively removed by conventional water treatment.

What are the ways of preserving aquifers and water sources?

Top 10 List

• Go Native. Use native plants in your landscape.
• Reduce Chemical Use. Use fewer chemicals around your home and yard, and make sure to dispose of them properly – don’t dump them on the ground!
• Manage Waste.
• Don’t Let It Run.
• Fix the Drip.
• Wash Smarter.
• Water Wisely.
• Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

How can you help protect conserve and manage the remaining water resources in your area?

Top 10 Ways to Protect and Conserve Groundwater

1. Dispose of chemicals properly.
2. Take used motor oil to a recycling center.
3. Limit the amount of fertilizer used on plants.
4. Take short showers.
5. Shut water off while brushing teeth.
6. Run full loads of dishes and laundry.
7. Check for leaky faucets and have them fixed.

What are the important ways to maintain a clean and safe water for everyone?

Promote good hygiene habits through education. Proper hand washing with soap and water can reduce diarrhea cases by up to 35 percent. Implement rainwater harvesting systems to collect and store rainwater for drinking or recharging underground aquifers. Build wells to extract groundwater from underground aquifers.

How can we protect freshwater supply?

Here are the top ten actions you can take to help keep drinking water sources clean in your community:

1. Handle and dispose of waste properly:
2. Maintain heating oil tanks and fill lines:
3. Maintain and use septic systems properly:
4. Maintain wells:

How do you protect water from well contamination?

Avoid mixing or using pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, degreasers, fuels, and other pollutants near the well. Do not dispose of wastes in dry wells or in abandoned wells. Do not cut off the well casing below the land surface. Pump and inspect septic systems as often as recommended by your local health department.

Why should we conserve and protect aquifers?

Many Californians rely on groundwater for drinking and home use. Groundwater is California’s water savings bank account that can be tapped during dry years when water in lakes and rivers are low. Conserving water helps preserve groundwater, which is important for plants, animals and people. What is Groundwater?

How do you save the Ogallala Aquifer?

Using less water can help save the Ogallala Aquifer. At the current rate of use, part of the Ogallala could be exhausted within this century and may take 6,000 years to restore. It is important to develop agricultural innovations to area farmers sustain agricultural production in that region.

How can we protect water resources?

Easy Things You Can Do To Protect Drinking Water Sources

1. Properly dispose of hazardous products Put up signs.
2. Use and dispose of harmful materials properly.
3. Volunteer in your community.
4. Join in a beach, stream or wetland cleanup.
5. Prepare a presentation about your watershed for a school or civic organization.

How can we conserve water resources?

We can conserve water resources using different methods:

1. Dams: These are hydraulic structures that can either control, redirect or obstruct the flow of water from a water body.
2. Rainwater Harvesting: Rainwater is collected from rooftops or ground and stored in large tanks for later use.

How important is clean water?

Our cherished way of life depends on clean water: healthy ecosystems provide wildlife habitat and places to fish, paddle, surf, and swim. Our economy depends on clean water: manufacturing, farming, tourism, recreation, energy production, and other economic sectors need clean water to function and flourish.

Where can I find information about source water protection?

The resources below provide information about source water protection and steps you can take at the local level to protect your drinking water. Your drinking water utility includes information about the drinking water source in their annual drinking water quality report, also called a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR).

How can we protect our local water resources?

Remind residents that storm drains dump directly into their local water source. Post signs along the border of your source water protection area to notify people that any pollution in that area can affect the quality of local drinking water. Water is a shared resource.

What is the first step in water treatment process?

Figure courtesy of EPA. Coagulation and Flocculation Coagulation and flocculation are often the first steps in water treatment. Chemicals with a positive charge are added to the water. The positive charge of these chemicals neutralizes the negative charge of dirt and other dissolved particles in the water.

What can I do to help protect my drinking water?

Find your local CCR online. Learn more about source water assessments, or ask your drinking water provider if there are any source water protection projects or groups you can support. Don’t pour hazardous waste down the drain, on the ground, or into storm sewers. This could contaminate the soil, groundwater, or nearby surface water.