August is National Water Quality Month! This month is a perfect time to think about the quality of your water from source to tap. Do you know where your water comes from or how sanitary it is?

It is important to know the source of your water and how you can help protect it from contamination. The Clean Water Act of 1972 established the parameters for regulating discharges of pollutants into the U.S. waters and regulated quality standards for surface waters. (source)

The Office of Water (OW) ensures drinking water is safe, and restores and maintains oceans, watersheds, and their aquatic ecosystems to protect human health, support economic and recreational activities, and provide a healthy habitat for fish, plants, and wildlife.

Unfortunately, natural occurrences within the environment bring about polluted water, such as rain. An average city block can produce as much as five times more rainwater runoff as a forest area of the same size. Instead of being absorbed into the ground (such as in forests and wetlands), rain runs off of rooftops and pavements into storm drains. It is then transported from the storm drain to local streams and rivers, and eventually the ocean. On its way to the storm drain, rainwater picks up pollutants like oil, antifreeze, pet waste, fertilizers and pesticides. In many places, storm water does not get treated, resulting in polluted waters. (source)  

Visit our blog this month to learn how you can prevent water pollution and protect the quality of water where you live! Also learn how the quality of water can affect your water heating systems! 

(Image courtsey of Earth Gauge)