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Water Quality
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Importance of Clean Water
Health
Environment
Recreation
Natural beauty
Water Pollution Types of Pollution
Chemicals Bacteria Sediment Nutrients
Sources of Pollution
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Industry Individuals
Surface Water vs Ground Water
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Photo credit: © American Ground Water Trust
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How do Contaminants Get Into the Water? 1.
Directly
2.
Runoff
3.
Wind
4.
Leaching
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What’s Polluting Our Water? 1.
Bacteria
2.
Sediment
3.
Nutrients
4.
Chemicals
1. Bacteria
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Sources: ď ľ Human waste ď ľ Manure, pet & wildlife deposits
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Bacteria: Health Effects
Stomach cramps
Diarrhea
Kidney failure
Death (in rare cases)
Bacteria: Solutions 1. Proper septic system installation 2. Proper septic system maintenance
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Regular inspections Regular pump-outs Reduce input Protect filter bed Improve system when increasing load
Bacteria: Solutions 3. Pick up after pets
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4. Don’t feed the waterfowl
Photo credit: Wisconsin DNR
2. Sediment
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Sources:
Increased by:
Dirt roads & paths
Removing plants
Gardens & farm fields
Adding hard surfaces
Imported beach sand
Altering the natural
Construction
watercourse
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Sediment: Impacts
Adds chemicals
Adds nutrients
Clouds the water
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Sediment: Impacts
Poor swimming
Navigation problems
Sediment: Solutions 1.
Maximize vegetation
2.
Cover exposed soil
3.
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4.
Minimize hard surfaces Avoid altering water courses & shorelines
3. Nutrients
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Sources:
Fertilizers
Detergents & cleaners
Septic system leachate
Photo credit: Washington State Department of Ecology
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Nutrients: Impacts
Nutrients: Solutions
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1.
Use low phosphate detergents and cleaners
Nutrients: Solutions 2.
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3.
Avoid the use of fertilizers Maintain your septic system
4. Chemicals
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Sources: Household cleaners Paints & solvents Gas, oil, antifreeze, break fluid & grease
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Chemicals: Impacts
Poses health risks to us
Contaminates drinking water
Alters pH balance
Harmful to wildlife and aquatic life
Chemicals: Solutions 1. Alternative cleaners Non-toxic All ingredients disclosed Plant-based Phosphate & petroleum free
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Biodegrade quickly
2. Vinegar, baking soda, borax
Chemicals: Solutions 3. Dispose of hazardous waste properly
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4. Maintain cars and boats
Chemicals: Solutions 5. Fill up and repair away from the water
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6. Clean-up spills properly & immediately
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Water Testing
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Testing Your Drinking Water ď ľ
Test for bacteria regularly
ď ľ
Test for other contaminants if you suspect a problem
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Interpreting Bacterial Test Results
Only water with a count of 0 Total Coliform and/or 0 E.coli is safe to drink
Sterilize contaminated water
Identify source of problem & fix it
Adopt preventative habits
Testing Your Surface Water Professional tests: Take samples and send to a lab
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Tests you can do yourself: Photo credit: www.co.snohomish.wa.us/publicwk/swm/lakes
Water clarity Temperature Dissolved oxygen Total phosphorus
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Case Study: “Watershed Watch”
Mississippi and Rideau Valley watersheds
Relies heavily on volunteer monitoring
Establishes baseline data
Will give an indication of lake health
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Every Little Bit Helps
Take action!
Encourage others
Learn more
Courtesy of: Jennifer Brownlee
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We Can Make a Difference‌Together