Preventing Water Pollution Begins At Home
Preventing pollution of our waterways is everyone's responsibility. Our oceans, lakes, rivers and streams are suffering from industrial waste and unhealthy farming methods.
"But," you say, "I don't contribute to industrial waste and I don't farm. Why is this my problem?"
On this page I'll show why it's everyone's problem and suggest ways that everyone, no matter where they live, can help save our natural waterways.
This photo is used with permission through Creative Commons. It's by Flickr photographer Steven.Buss.
Water Pollution in Photographs
It's not a pretty picture.
Water pollution is not just a problem in the United States. It's a world-wide problem but we can all be part of the solution.
How Much Water Are We Using?
Source: United States EPA
These examples of the amount of water we use for our various daily needs are astounding if you think of them in terms of a gallon of milk.
The average American uses 140 to 150 gallons of water per day!
- To flush a toilet - 5 to 7 gallons
- To run a dishwasher - 15 to 25 gallons
- To wash dishes by hand - 20 gallons
- To water a small lawn - 35 gallons
- To take a shower - 25 to 50 gallons
- To take a bath - 50 gallons
- To wash a small load of clothes in a washing machine - 35 gallons
- To brush teeth with the water running continuously - 2 to 5 gallons
Dirty Beaches Inspire Found Art & Graffiti...
This link to a recent article on Treehugger illustrates how that there really is a severe water pollution problem. Not just chemicals...junk, too!
- Dirty Beaches Inspire Graffiti and Found Art
- Here's how some artists and other creative people are dealing with the very real issue of junk on beaches. You'll enjoy viewing these. Maybe you'll even be inspired to create your own beach art.
Not So Beautiful Art...
...from polluted rivers in Minnesota
This is a sculpture that was created using junk collected from rivers in Minnesota in 2009. Artists from around the area volunteer their time to create these pieces for the Save Our Rivers organization.
Beauty From Recycled Materials
Makes sense to me...
Broken glass is one of the most washed up items on our beaches.
If you're going to buy jewelry or home decor, anyway, why not find something beautiful that's been created from recycled glass?
You'll feel really good about yourself.
Pastel Sea Glass Dangle Earrings
Amazon Price: $49.99 (as of 11/26/2009) 
EnviroGLAS Art Coaster BK-13
Amazon Price: (as of 11/26/2009)
Blue Earth Marble With Natural Earth Continents, Recycled Glass, 1.4 Inch Diameter
Amazon Price: $12.00 (as of 11/26/2009)
NOVICA Recycled glass chandelier, 'A Fine Light'
Amazon Price: (as of 11/26/2009)
Amber Recycled Ghana Glass, Circular Bead Earrings
Amazon Price: $25.95 (as of 11/26/2009)
Simple Things You Can You Do If You Live In A City?
You can help, even if you are an apartment dweller.
Here are a few important things you can do to help save our natural waterways, even if you don't own or live in a home with a yard or garden.
- Never dump anything into city street drains.
- Check your vehicle for any leaks that could pollute waterways when flushed down city drains.
- Recycle your motor oil.
- Pick up after your pets.
- Wash your vehicle at a car wash, not in your driveway.
- Consider planting a Rain Garden. They can be any size you like - small or large - and they help stop pollution from stormwater runoff. Check them out!
- Be sure to use cleaning products that are certified biodegradable. Read the labels and don't use anything that has chlorine or ammonia in it (or any ingredient that starts with chlor).
All those ingredients get washed down the drain and guess where they end up? Yup - rivers, lakes, streams, oceans...not good.
An Innocent Victim of Water Pollution
Photo courtesy of marinephotobank
If this image doesn't make you sick to your stomach, there's something very wrong.
Simple Steps To Take Around The House
Low Cost, Big Impact!
These ideas are easy to do and inexpensive but they will help tremendously toward a cleaner and safer water supply for everyone.
Please try these suggestions and encourage your friends and family to, as well.
- Replace shower heads with water-saving models.
- Don't let water run while you are washing or brushing your teeth and you'll save up to five gallons of water.
- Only run your dishwashing and washing machine with full loads. Try using the quick cycle on your dishwasher.
- Place a water-filled plastic bottle in your toilet tank. It will displace the water in the tank, thereby using less water per flush.
Learn More - Great Reading
Books all about water pollution
These books are excellent sources for learning the sometimes nasty truths about water pollution.
Water Pollution (True Books: Environment)
Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 11/26/2009)
Clean Water: An Introduction to Water Quality and Pollution Control
Amazon Price: $12.97 (as of 11/26/2009)
Water Wars: Privatization, Pollution, and Profit
Amazon Price: $7.92 (as of 11/26/2009)
Water Pollution - An Inheritance For Our Children
Wouldn't you agree that it's our obligation to keep our natural waterways clear and pollution free for future generations?
So that their connection with pure water isn't just through art.
Still More Simple Tips
These tips are really just new habits that we all should form. Easy, inexpensive, but the impact will be felt for generations.
- Use a sink strainer to keep food scraps from going down the sink drain.
- Put cooking fats and oils in the trash, not down the drain.
- Use biodegradable and phosphate free cleaners or try natural cleaners like vinegar, bicarbonate of soda and lemon instead. There are many recipes for cleaners using these natural products. They're much less expensive, as well.
- Help clean up litter when you see it on the beaches or in parks and other public places.
- Recycle the oil from your vehicles. Many car repair businesses will accept your used oil for recycling.
- Don't dump unwanted prescriptions down the toilet or the drain. Most pharmacies will accept your unwanted medicines.
Important Essays on Water
I encourage you to read these other lenses on water. They illustrate how precious this natural resource is and how pollution is taking it's toll.-
Let's Stop Polluting the Oceans!
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Plastics are devastating our oceans and sea creatures. A few months ago, I presented to a group of 7th graders about the harmful effects of plastics, especially in our oceans. Oprah also brought attention to the problem after seeing a video of the P...
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Rain Gardens - A Beautiful Way To Improve Water Quality
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Did you know that 85% of pollutants in our lakes and streams is the result of stormwater runoff? Did you know that every parking lot and road that is built only increases the pollution? Did you know that these pollutants affect wildlife habitats as...
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Rain Gardens-Nature's Water Filters
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A rain garden is a landscape feature that collects storm water runoff from roofs, driveways and paved surfaces in a bermed garden area. Rain garden designs are simple - they're basically a shallow depression or bowl shape surrounded by planted areas....
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Lakescaping - Restoring Natural Shorelines
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Believe it or not, everyone has waterfront property. Yes, it's true! Even if you live in the middle of a city! In this lens, I'll attempt to answer why that's true and to explain why lakescaping can help to save our natural waterways, wherever they...
Reusable Water Bottles
Plastic water bottles are a huge source of pollution. Even though many plastics are recycle friendly, most of them are simply thrown away.
Eco-friendly water bottles. Once you get used to using them you'll wonder what took you so long! Besides, most bottled water is no better than the water from your kitchen faucet. That's a fact!
PMCI 34 Oz. (1 liter) Satin Finish Stainless Steel Reusable Water Bottle with Sport Cap and Loop Cap
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 11/26/2009)
Base Brands 16-Ounce Reduce WaterWeek Bottle, Set of 5
Amazon Price: $16.00 (as of 11/26/2009)
PMCI 20 Oz. (600ml) Satin Finish Stainless Steel Reusable Water Bottle with Sport Cap and Loop Cap
Amazon Price: $13.50 (as of 11/26/2009)
Green Bottle TGB517 25-Ounce Reusable Stainless Steel Water Bottle with Screw Top, Ocean Floor
Amazon Price: $16.99 (as of 11/26/2009)
New Wave Enviro Stainless Steel Water Bottle (1-Liter, Silver)
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 11/26/2009)
Blogging about Pollution
Water pollution is newsworthy.
Every day bloggers around the world are spreading the word. It's in the newspapers. It's on television and radio. Making an impression on everyone is essential to solving the problem of water pollution.
Water Conservation Websites
Easy to read - Useful Ideas
These sites are filled with helpful and painless ways of dealing with water pollution in our everyday lives. Bookmark them for future reference.
- US EPA Office of Water Website
Information about water including a collection of water sites with information to raise public awareness and encourage involvement in water quality issues.
- Do's and Don'ts Around the House | Polluted Runoff (Nonpoint Source Pollution) | US EPA
Good information on various topics like: Household Chemicals, Landscaping and Gardening, Septic Systems, Water Conservation, Community Action and more.
- A Citizen's Guide to Protecting Our Coasts
This is a wonderful online book with guidance on every imaginable question you might have about water and preserving water.
Thanks for stopping by...
Please leave your calling card.
Although this is a very serious subject, I hope you enjoyed the lens. Very likely you are already using many of these suggestions. Maybe you've learned something new.
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Reply
- JenOfChicago JenOfChicago Nov 19, 2009 @ 1:02 pm
- Great ideas - especially about not dumping in city drains, that's a good reminder. I hope to have a rainwater garden someday!
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Reply
- aj2008 aj2008 Nov 19, 2009 @ 6:55 am
- This is a great example of the sort of lens I would like to see more of in the Green Living category on Squidoo. SquidAngel Blessings for you!
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Reply
- CherylK CherylK Nov 19, 2009 @ 8:30 am
- Thank you for the SquidAngel Blessing, aj. It's such an important topic and I appreciate the thumbs up. I would love to submit this lens to the Green Living category.
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Reply
- hlkljgk hlkljgk Oct 27, 2009 @ 1:19 pm
- great, simple tips - thanks for sharing
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Reply
- science_fiction_novels_cyberpunk science_fiction_novels_cyberpunk Oct 25, 2009 @ 10:04 am
- Simple and useful ways to save water and avoid pollution. I knew some of them, but your lens has made me know others. Excellent job!
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Copyright Notice
by CherylK
I love gardening, reading, watching sunsets on our lake, turtles, traveling, art galleries, feng shui, photography, cooking, espre... (more)
