Help Protect a Nature Resource This August
August is National Water Quality Month, which is why we are sharing our best water quality tips for Orange County residents.
Safeguarding our water systems is something that everyone should contribute to. Individuals can make a big difference in ensuring that water resources are protected.
Although many solutions are required to keep our water healthy and safe, including prevention, treatment, and clean up, there are many things homeowners can do to help.
How to Protect Water Quality
Be careful what you send down your drains.
It will all end up at a water treatment facility and eventually into our waterways. Never pour chemicals, paint, cleaners, pesticides, grease, oil, or any non-decomposable material down the drains. Take them to your Household Hazardous Waste center instead.
Never flush anything down the toilet other than human waste and toilet paper.
This includes “wet wipes,” which are causing huge problems for sewer systems and water treatment facilities around the globe.
Do not put garbage down your storm drains and keep your property clean.
Clean up after your pet and wherever you are, don’t litter. All the garbage on the streets eventually ends up in the water supply.
Sweep your walkways and driveways instead of hosing them down.
This will reduce the amount of polluted runoff that gets in the storm drains.
Regularly clean gutters and direct downspouts to porous areas.
Besides gardens and lawns, you can also point your downspouts into rain barrels and other containment areas.
Increase the amount of permeable paving around your home.
Materials like gravel, mulch, stones, bricks, and porous concrete and asphalt will naturally filter out pollutants in the water.
Clean up oil spills as soon as you can and check the car for fluid leaks.
Kitty litter and baking soda can soak up the oil for disposal. Click here for 3 ways to clean oil off a driveway.
Don’t overwater your lawn or garden.
Water runoff can get polluted with pesticides and fertilizer. Avoid toxic pesticides (opt for organic pesticides) and use fertilizer sparingly (make sure it is phosphorous-free and rain isn’t in the forecast). Click here for a landscape watering guide.
If you have a septic tank, have it professionally cleaned at least every 3 years.
It will save you money and keep your family and neighbors safe.
Vote for candidates and proposals that help protect nature
…And improve the quality of our water by doing so. Help ensure clean water and natural areas for our future.
Have your plumbing system inspected by a professional every year.
A qualified plumber will do more than just look at your pipes for signs of damage and corrosion. They will also inspect your water-using appliances, such as your water heater, which requires yearly tune-ups to operate properly. Early problems will be detected, which can help you avoid huge expenses down the road. We recommend that homeowners sign up for a maintenance plan so they don’t forget this important home maintenance task.
Water Filtration & Softening Systems
Lastly, invest in a water filtration system for your home. There are many options available to match your needs, which can be installed at point-of-use or connected to your main water supply.
Water quality news stories have become frighteningly common lately. In order to get the safest, purest water possible, we recommend water filtration from H20 Harmony and Nature’s Miracle.
These state-of-the-art home water filtration systems will provide you with soft, clean water for your entire home, or for individual plumbing fixtures.
Water Softening Benefits:
- Less Cleaning Products
- Efficient and Long-Lasting Appliances
- No More Mineral Scale
- Energy Savings
- No More Expensive Bottled Water
- Luxurious Hair and Skin
For the best water quality imaginable, we offer top-of-the-line water filtration systems:
- Water Softeners
- Reverse Osmosis
- Whole-House and Point-of-Use Water Filtration
For more water quality tips, visit the Water Quality Association (WQA) website.