4 Ways To Reduce Water Pollution At Home

The United Nations reports that 1 in 4 people don’t have access to clean drinking water, and there are a staggering 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic debris in our oceans. As the world population grows, the urgency to tackle water pollution intensifies. While the problem may seem overwhelming, small, everyday changes can make a powerful impact. The solution starts with you! Check out four simple ways to contribute to cleaner water from your home. 

1. Use less plastic. Plastic can take anywhere from 20 to 500 years to decompose. Opt for filtered water and reusable water bottles instead of single-use plastic bottles.   

2. Reduce pesticides and herbicides. When it rains, the chemicals in pesticides and herbicides run off plants and into groundwater. Once in the water supply, the chemicals are difficult to remove and expend much energy during treatment. Alternatives to pesticides and herbicides include diatomaceous earth, neem oil, and organic weed killers.

3. Don’t drain oils, chemicals, or medicine in the sink. Oils, cleaning chemicals, and medicine are difficult to remove from water, creating an inefficient treatment process. Instead of down the drain, these products should be placed in a sealed, leak-free container and discarded in the trash. 

4. Conserve water: The water treatment process expends energy, fuel, and chemicals, so using less water means fewer treatment chemicals and less fuel and pollution entering the environment. Simply turning off the water while brushing your teeth is an excellent place to start! 

Learn more about how you can be a vital part of the solution to reduce water pollution.