Is Water Pollution Being Watched?

Every day you wake up and turn on the faucet. But do we really know if there is water pollution entering our drinking water? For that matter, are you aware of your county or states procedures on how they monitor? With our thirst, no pun intended, for growth and our population continuing to expand we must gain a strong committment to better protect our underground water sources.

Water pollution ultimately could stunt our countries ability to continue growing at the current pace. Top that off with the severe drought conditions around the country (USA) and you have a bad mix brewing on the horizon.

Several counties, like Santa Clara in California, have recently been stung by water pollution entering from a factory that is not even in production. The site was vacated but never properly cleaned up and now down stream from this site you have water pollution entering the private wells as well as the counties own wells that are blended to provide surrounding cities their water supply.

The clean up (in this case it is perchlorate) is massive and time consuming. On top of the fact that the company (in this case Olin) has owned up to the problem by supplying bottled water to the effected areas but wants this to end (their committment). But what constitutes an end to their spilling of perchlorate into our water supply?

The city of Morgan Hill which the plant was located has worked very hard to aide in the clean up but this was Olin's responsibility and they may never have adequately cleaned up the ground water supply as although today we hear very little of new concerns in the supply there have been spikes that just appear.

Your state sets guidelines for acceptable levels of certain known hazzardous chemicals. They monitor through the counties and city supplies as best they can. But a state the size of California has so many physical wells populated how can they possibly guarantee that the water supply is tested safe?

We advocate to our clients to attend your local Water District meetings. They are posted and you may learn more than you wanted to know but you will also gain first hand knowledge of your water supply and the level of water pollution that may be of concern. By all mean, ask questions and if you think you are not hearing it like it is then speak up. We find your local newspapers are still an effective media to get your points out in the open and of course make sure your points are grounded in truth and not liable.

Make sure your children are aware of the local concerns if any are relevant. Your children typically have access to many public drinking areas supplied by companies and public works like parks and recreation facilities. If a serious sitution has broken out educate them on the problem. Make sure they have adequate secondary supplies as well.

Another option is to install a home based filtration system. They vary greatly in capabilties and price range but are a good idea of you have concerns or have gone through any unfortuante situations resulting in a polluted water supply. Look for more on this in later articles of Planet Berry.

Home Filtration Systems

Carbon block filtered systems give you peace of mind by letting you control the quality of the water you drink. When comparing advanced systems make sure, at a minimum, they meet the high standards and needs and expectations.

You can research and purchase systems online. Many retail outlets offer you a full view of the entire system in a display. We compared Lowes and Home Depot recently and found their staff's very helpful.

With pollution in our ground getting worse not better you can bet our water supply is comprimised. Paying for a deivery system? Do you know where they bottle their water from? How long do bottles (in plastic) sit on the delivery trucks exposed to the harmful rays of the sun? You might be, unknowingly, introducing toxins to your water every day just from buying bottled water, depending on how it is managed during the delivery process.

Ask Your Local Water District

If you want the people to believe in your statements then you have to make a statement as well. Hats off to Santa Clara Water District management for making the words equal the actions of their own management and administrative staff in a five to one vote. Now who voted agains?

Water Pollution Entering Our Supply?

Water The Next Oil?

Water is precious to our existence. We can all survive without oil but can we make it without drinkable water? Water that is pure enough to drink is not the problem as we can clean it up fairly well with today's technology.

So, the real issue is supply. Look at what is going on around the world let alone in Georgia, California, Nevada, The Farm Belt. China will soon have to come to grips with a starving nation. Food will be linked but water will be central to their real issues. How they behave in a tryig to solve this will impact the world. In the United States we go through classic peaks and valleys with supply. But are we doing anything solve the problem? Can we?

We believe the problem is also a possible solution to the overall global warming concerns. With the warming of the climate we are seeing rising sea levels. So, if the sea is rising and we know how to de-salinate the water isn't this a viable control and supply strategy? Simplistic view of course but if the water is rising and we need water to manage our food supply and let's not forget the Silicon Valley's thirst for chip development (purified water is critical). Why not take a different approach to the supply and demand needs? Poses an interesting discussion if nothing else.