Transcript Click Here to View

Module 5:1
Water Quality
Module 5:2
Importance of Clean Water

Health

Environment

Recreation

Natural beauty
Water Pollution
Types of Pollution




Chemicals
Bacteria
Sediment
Nutrients
Sources of Pollution
Module 5:3
 Industry
 Individuals
Surface Water vs
Ground Water
Module 5:4

Photo credit: © American Ground Water Trust
How do Contaminants Get
Into the Water?
1. Directly
2. Runoff
3. Wind
Module 5:5
4. Leaching
What’s Polluting Our Water?
1. Bacteria
2. Sediment
3. Nutrients
Module 5:6
4. Chemicals
1. Bacteria
Module 5:7
Sources:
 Human waste
 Manure, pet & wildlife deposits
Module 5:8
Bacteria: Health Effects

Stomach cramps

Diarrhea

Kidney failure

Death (in rare cases)
Bacteria: Solutions
1. Proper septic system installation
2. Proper septic system maintenance
Module 5:9





Regular inspections
Regular pump-outs
Reduce input
Protect filter bed
Improve system when increasing load
Bacteria: Solutions
3. Pick up after pets
Module 5:10
4. Don’t feed the waterfowl
Photo credit: Wisconsin DNR
2. Sediment
Module 5:11
Sources:
Increased by:

Dirt roads & paths

Removing plants

Gardens & farm fields

Adding hard surfaces

Imported beach sand

Altering the natural

Construction
watercourse
Module 5:12
Sediment: Impacts

Adds chemicals

Adds nutrients

Clouds the water
Module 5:13
Sediment: Impacts

Poor swimming

Navigation problems
Sediment: Solutions
1. Maximize vegetation
2. Cover exposed soil
3. Minimize hard
surfaces
Module 5:14
4. Avoid altering water
courses & shorelines
3. Nutrients
Module 5:15
Sources:

Fertilizers

Detergents & cleaners

Septic system leachate
Photo credit: Washington State Department of Ecology
Module 5:16
Nutrients: Impacts
Nutrients: Solutions
Module 5:17
1. Use low phosphate detergents and
cleaners
Nutrients: Solutions
2. Avoid the use of
fertilizers
Module 5:18
3. Maintain your septic
system
4. Chemicals
Module 5:19
Sources:
 Household cleaners
 Paints & solvents
 Gas, oil, antifreeze, break fluid & grease
Module 5:20
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
Module 5:21
 Biodegrade quickly
2. Vinegar, baking soda, borax
Chemicals: Solutions
3. Dispose of hazardous waste properly
Module 5:22
4. Maintain cars and boats
Chemicals: Solutions
5. Fill up and repair away from the water
Module 5:23
6. Clean-up spills properly & immediately
Module 5:24
Water Testing
Testing Your Drinking Water

Module 5:25

Test for bacteria
regularly
Test for other
contaminants if you
suspect a problem
Interpreting Bacterial
Test Results
Module 5:26

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
Module 5:27
Tests you can do yourself:




Photo credit: www.co.snohomish.wa.us/publicwk/swm/lakes
Water clarity
Temperature
Dissolved oxygen
Total phosphorus
Case Study:
“Watershed Watch”



Module 5:28

Mississippi and Rideau
Valley watersheds
Relies heavily on volunteer
monitoring
Establishes baseline data
Will give an indication of
lake health
Module 5:29
Every Little Bit Helps

Take action!

Encourage others

Learn more
Courtesy of: Jennifer Brownlee
Module 5:30
We Can Make a
Difference…Together