Document

Water QualityM

odul

e 5:

1

Importance of Clean Water

Health

Environment

Recreation

Natural beauty

Mod

ule

5:2

Water Pollution

Types of Pollution Chemicals Bacteria Sediment Nutrients

Sources of Pollution Industry Individuals

Mod

ule

5:3

Surface Water vs Ground Water

Mod

ule

5:4

Photo credit: © American Ground Water Trust

How do Contaminants Get Into the Water?

1. Directly

2. Runoff

3. Wind

4. Leaching

Mod

ule

5:5

What’s Polluting Our Water?

1. Bacteria

2. Sediment

3. Nutrients

4. Chemicals

Mod

ule

5:6

1. Bacteria

Sources: Human waste Manure, pet & wildlife deposits

Mod

ule

5:7

Bacteria: Health Effects

Stomach cramps

Diarrhea

Kidney failure

Death (in rare cases)

Mod

ule

5:8

Bacteria: Solutions

1. Proper septic system installation

2. Proper septic system maintenance Regular inspections Regular pump-outs Reduce input Protect filter bed Improve system when increasing load

Mod

ule

5:9

Bacteria: Solutions

3. Pick up after pets

4. Don’t feed the waterfowl

Mod

ule

5:10

Photo credit: Wisconsin DNR

2. Sediment

Sources:

Dirt roads & paths

Gardens & farm fields

Imported beach sand

Construction

Increased by:

Removing plants

Adding hard surfaces

Altering the natural

watercourse

Mod

ule

5:11

Sediment: Impacts

Adds chemicals

Adds nutrients

Clouds the water

Mod

ule

5:12

Sediment: Impacts

Poor swimming

Navigation problems

Mod

ule

5:13

Sediment: Solutions

1. Maximize vegetation

2. Cover exposed soil

3. Minimize hard surfaces

4. Avoid altering water courses & shorelines

Mod

ule

5:14

3. Nutrients

Sources:

Fertilizers

Detergents & cleaners

Septic system leachate

Mod

ule

5:15

Photo credit: Washington State Department of Ecology

Nutrients: ImpactsM

odul

e 5:

16

Nutrients: Solutions

1. Use low phosphate detergents and cleaners

Mod

ule

5:17

Nutrients: Solutions

2. Avoid the use of fertilizers

3. Maintain your septic system

Mod

ule

5:18

4. Chemicals

Sources: Household cleaners Paints & solvents Gas, oil, antifreeze, break fluid & grease

Mod

ule

5:19

Chemicals: Impacts

Poses health risks to us

Contaminates drinking water

Alters pH balance

Harmful to wildlife and aquatic life

Mod

ule

5:20

Chemicals: Solutions

1. Alternative cleaners Non-toxic All ingredients disclosed Plant-based Phosphate & petroleum free Biodegrade quickly

2. Vinegar, baking soda, borax

Mod

ule

5:21

Chemicals: Solutions

3. Dispose of hazardous waste properly

4. Maintain cars and boats

Mod

ule

5:22

Chemicals: Solutions

5. Fill up and repair away from the water

6. Clean-up spills properly & immediately

Mod

ule

5:23

Water TestingM

odul

e 5:

24

Testing Your Drinking Water

Test for bacteria regularly

Test for other contaminants if you suspect a problem

Mod

ule

5:25

Interpreting Bacterial Test Results

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

Mod

ule

5:26

Testing Your Surface Water

Professional tests: Take samples and send to

a lab

Tests you can do yourself: Water clarity Temperature Dissolved oxygen Total phosphorus

Mod

ule

5:27

Photo credit: www.co.snohomish.wa.us/publicwk/swm/lakes

Case Study:“Watershed Watch”

Mississippi and Rideau Valley watersheds

Relies heavily on volunteer monitoring

Establishes baseline data

Will give an indication of lake health

Mod

ule

5:28

Every Little Bit Helps

Take action!

Encourage others

Learn more

Mod

ule

5:29

Courtesy of: Jennifer Brownlee

We Can Make a Difference…Together

Mod

ule

5:30