Six Tips for Preventing Water Pollution at Home

By: Sarah Bernheim

One thing that can be especially harmful to the Earth, animals, plant life and human beings is water pollution. If a water source becomes contaminated, it can devastate entire ecosystems. Becoming more educated on water pollution facts can help prevent this destruction. Below are several great tips you can use to help prevent water pollution.

1. Recycle Your Motor Oil

Often, people pour motor oil down the drain after performing an oil change. This can certainly pollute local water supplies. Instead, make sure to recycle any motor oil you want to get rid of.

2. Take Care of Your Septic Tank

One way to make sure you have clean water around your home is to properly maintain your septic tank. If it is not taken care of, the water from the tank can contaminate nearby water sources. Septic tanks are especially susceptible to breeding deadly bacteria. Make sure to have your tank inspected regularly and pumped when needed.

3. Be Educated about Your Car Wash Options

Certain car washes do not dispose of the water they use properly. You should try to only use car washes that make sure to dispose of their water in a way that does not harm the environment. Many car washes also recycle their water. This practice can both protect water supplies as well as increase water conservation.

4. Use Natural Pesticides and Fertilizers

Fertilizers and pesticides are some of the most common sources of water pollution in the world. If you have a garden, make sure to try to use more natural alternatives that will leave less of an impact on the environment.

Avoid pesticides that contain harmful chemicals. Instead, go for pesticides that include ingredients like pyrethrum and insecticide soap. More natural choices for fertilizer include things such as animal dung, lawn clippings and ash from wood. In fact, many of these choices can enrich soil much better than most commercial fertilizers.

5. Use Environmentally Friendly Products

Consumers should also be mindful of the household products they use that could potentially harm local water sources. For example, certain kinds of soap are not actually biodegradable. Soap that is biodegradable is available on the market and will not leave any kind of lasting imprint on water sources once it goes down the drain. Vinegar can also be a great alternative to bleach and chemical based cleaners.

6. Take Better Care of Your Lawn

How you clean your lawn can also help affect water quality near your home. One way to make sure a local water supply is not contaminated is to make sure grass clippings do not enter a nearby drain. More carefully sweeping and picking up your grass can help prevent this from happening.