Despite The Many Forms Of Water Pollution You Can Ensure Your Family Always Has Pure Clean Water

Although it seems that water pollution has been with us forever this is not the case it is quite a modern phenomenon. Before the start of the industrial revolution, there was no pollution as we understand it. As our country became more and more industrialized so the contamination gradually increased in direct proportion to the number of chemicals we began to use. Which leads us to ask just how many forms of water pollution are, and are they all dangerous?

We obtain our water from two sources, surface water, which is rivers and lakes, and ground water, which is contained in aquifers underground. Each of these is contaminated in different ways. However, 80% of the pollution comes from the land. Take, for instance, a farmer spreading fertilizer or pesticide on his crops. When it rains some of these chemicals will be washed into nearby rivers or lakes, whilst the remainder sinks into the ground and eventually reaches the aquifer.

We have all seen smoke stacks, these release chemicals into the atmosphere which eventually return to the earth as rain. In doing so they pollute both the land and the rivers.

Many people fail to realize that pollution can travel across many miles from its original starting point. Whilst I know that this is self-evident when we look at oil spillage on the inland waterways or sea. What is not so evident are the ways water can travel underground, in one state 50% of the ground water is contaminated by weed killers.

There are many different forms of water pollution and all of them cause problems, in one way or another.

Sewage: Over 90% of sewage is water. Although sewage is a completely natural substance that should be broken down by the environment. The reality is something different. It can contain prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, antibiotics and a whole lot more besides. Municipal water plants are not designed to handle a range of chemicals like this. When the waste water is disposed of it can contain traces of these drugs.

Waste water: It is estimated that 75% of the water that enters a house ends up going down the drain. Let's face it, we have all been guilty of pouring that unwanted chemical down the drain or down the toilet. The detergents we use in washing machines eventually find their way to our rivers and waterways. Another big source of waste water is factories, these take clean water from the waterways and then discharge polluted water back in its place.

Chemical waste: This comes from so many different sources it is almost unbelievable. Mining companies have been pumping thousands of gallons of contaminated liquid into underground places known as lagoons. This liquid has high concentrations of arsenic, lead, chromium, beryllium, and nickel. In an effort to extract more oil and gas a technique is used whereby a liquid is forced under high pressure into rocks, this allows the gas and oil to rise to the surface. This liquid contains benzene, kerosene, and mineral spirits among others. Benzene is known for its carcinogenic properties.

Microbial contamination: Fortunately such occasions are rare, but there have been outbreaks of waterborne diseases from pathogens such as Cryptosporidium. Under normal circumstances these disease creating microorganisms are stopped by the filtration and disinfection systems at your local water plant. However, there have been outbreaks, which have been linked to drinking water from the public water supply.

Is there a chance that you could be affected by one or all of these forms of water pollution? Unfortunately, it is impossible to say. Whilst your municipal water plant does its best to ensure that your water is as safe as possible. It would be wise to take out some form of insurance. The insurance in this case comes in the form of a water filtration unit.

There are no shortages of models on the market. However, a little caution is advisable before actually purchasing one. You must make sure it has been certified by the UL, NSF or the California Department of Health. There are several other states that also carry out certification. Of course there are manufactures who disagree with this, but it is good news for us consumers. What it means is no manufacture can make exaggerated claims regarding his product.

Consideration must also be given to the filtration technology that the system uses. One technology that has become increasingly popular is activated carbon filtration, and the quality models use coconut shell carbon. This has proven to be the most effective. You cannot assume that your household water is free from the many forms of water pollution. An investment in a home filtration system will give your family the protection they need.