By Theresa Ficazzola

wine glass blue water_orig_300x300In the US, we’re extremely lucky to have a government that regulates and protects our water and food to ensure that it’s safe. But it’s up to all of us individually to do our part to protect our natural resources, especially our water, every day.

Without water, we wouldn’t exist…and neither would the earth. Water gives us life and should be conserved and protected. To remind us just how important water is, August is designated National Water Quality Month. You can help protect the earth and its vast water supply in many ways. Here are just a few:

Conservation

Don’t waste water. The droughts in California and other western states are having dramatic repercussions. Farmers don’t have enough water to sustain their crops and dry vegetation is tinder for wildfires that are out of control. Lakes that were once vibrant vacation destinations are so shallow that they have been closed to activities and fish are dying from lack of habitat.

Regardless of where you live and how much rain you receive to fill your reservoirs, you should conserve your water usage.

  • Don’t let the water run when brushing your teeth, taking a shower or doing the dishes.
  • Run your dishwasher and washing machine only when they are full.
  • Wash your car only when absolutely necessary.
  • Flush the toilet only when needed.
  • Save excess clean water that is not used in a watering can to water plants.
  • Water outdoor vegetation in early morning or late afternoon to prevent evaporation, which means you can use less water and also water less often.
  • Use mulch outdoors to keep moisture between the dirt and your plants, which will reduce the amount of water they need.
  • Fix leaky faucets immediately. If not, collect the drops in plastic containers and use for other purposes.
  • Use rain barrels to collect runoff after a heavy storm and use to water plants or wash your car.
  • Check the weather forecast to avoid watering if rain is predicted.

Protection                                                                                                                                                      

Keep waterways clean. After a heavy rain, runoff gathers up everything in its path, including pollutants, pesticides, antifreeze and other harmful chemicals and materials. These are mixed with the runoff and transported to local streams, rivers and ultimately the ocean, causing damage to animals, fish, plants and other organisms.

  • Don’t use antibacterial soaps.
  • Don’t throw expired medications down the sink, toilet or sewer.
  • Don’t throw motor oil or antifreeze into the street, garbage or sewer. Dispose of them properly.
  • Opt for more organic or natural cleaning products and fertilizers.
  • Pick up after your pets.
  • If you go to the beach, river or a lake, take your trash with you.
  • Volunteer to help clean up a body of water near your home.
  • If you go fishing, try a catch and release philosophy.
  • Report any illegal dumping to your local authorities.
  • Contact your senator or state representative and encourage them to vote for favorable water legislation.
  • Vote against fracking, which can contaminate local water supplies. The long-term effects of this procedure to extract gases from shale rocks are not yet known, but damage to local water supplies could be severe.
  • Find out what’s in your local water. Visit the US Dept. of Agriculture, Water Quality Information Center at http://wqic.nal.usda.gov/

Another way you can conserve our natural resources is by installing solar panels on your home. It’s the best way to generate your own electricity using the earth’s natural solar power, thereby reducing the use of fossil fuels and their harmful effects on the ozone layer. To learn how you can benefit from solar and save money on your costly electric bills, contact SI Solar.