The American Water Works Association (AWWA) and the water
community across North America celebrate Drinking Water Week by recognizing the vital
role drinking water plays in daily lives. This year's theme is “Protect the Source” with a focus on ways in which water consumers
can take personal responsibility in caring for their tap water and protecting it at its source. How can you do that? First, get to know your local H2O. Finding information about local water is simple. As required by the Safe Drinking Water Act, water utilities must provide customers with an annual water quality report, also called a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). A CCR identifies the quality of local drinking water and if any contaminants are detected and if so, which ones. Also available in the report is information on each community’s local source for drinking water. Everyone should learn about their local water source, whether it’s groundwater, a stream, lake or reservoir.
You can also look for ways to conserve water whenever possible. As many North American regions continue to face drought conditions, it’s essential to avoid waste through conservation practices to protect precious source water. Water consumers can practice conservation by using water wisely at home:
- Repair leaky faucets, indoors and out.
- Fill your sink or basin when washing and rinsing dishes.
- Only run the dishwasher and washing machine when they are full.
- Take short showers instead of baths.
- Turn off the water to brush teeth, shave and soap up in the shower. Fill the sink to shave.
- Repair leaky toilets. Add 12 drops of food coloring into the tank, and if color appears in the bowl one hour later, the toilet is leaking.
- Install a toilet dam, faucet aerators and low-flow showerheads.
- Apply mulch around shrubs and flower beds to reduce evaporation, promote plant growth and control weeds.
- Collect rainfall for irrigation in a screened container (to prevent mosquito larvae growth).
- Always use a broom to clean walkways, driveways, decks and porches, rather than hosing off these areas.
Find more ways to take action at www.groundwater.org/action.
