There has been a lot of water issues in the news as of late. Do you trust your water? What happens in an emergency – do you have a water plan?
Poor water quality can impact us all from wildlife to humans. Virginia has reported $6.1 billion in drinking water infrastructure needs over the next 20 years according to a report from the 2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure. Our systems are getting older and it is hard to maintain them in this tight economy. Here are some recent news reports about water quality issues.
West Virginia chemical spill spurs long-term health study
More gunk spills in West Virginia, turning creek black
We have been fortunate with water quantity in recent years, but it was not too long ago we were facing water restrictions in our area.
17 California communities running out of water
So what can you do at home?
1. Get a water quality test to determine what is in your water.
2. Have a water safety plan in case something happens to your main water supply. A good rule of thumb is one gallon of water per day per person.
3. have a water filtration system installed in your home. If your water is provided by a well, ultraviolet lights provide protection against most water borne bacteria according to Phil Witry of Commonwealth H2O.
4. Capture rainwater in a cistern
5. install water efficient fixtures to minimize your usage
