Keeping Our Water Clean

Water recycles over and over. Whatever we put in water now will return to us again. Our oceans are filling up with plastic trash and industrial runoff, allowing toxic slime molds and algae blooms to thrive, while killing larger life like seals, albatross birds, and dolphins.

Most of our drinking water comes from aquifers below ground, which soak in rainwater from aboveground.

Water picks up everything on its path, including toxins in the air and ground, so remember to be mindful about what you put in our water supply. Do your part to keep our water clean. Try out these tips if you need some ideas:

• Use all-natural, non-toxic homemade cleaners using baking soda, vinegar, lemon, borax, salt, soapnuts, and other natural items. Remember to use all-natural dish soap. When clearing your drain, don’t use chemical products. Instead, pour up to 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, add 1/2 cup vinegar, and wait 30 minutes to pour 1+ cups hot water down. For super sticky drains, repeat this process a few times.
• Don’t throw pharmaceuticals down the drain.
• Don’t spray chemical pesticides or use chemical fertilizer. Instead, try some of these homemade, all-natural bug sprays to keep your plants insect-free. Buy or create your own compost to use as fertilizer. There are plenty of organic gardening resources online to help you choose the non-chemical path. All chemicals added to garden soil will end up in the water supply, through leaching into groundwater aquifers, and volatizing into the atmosphere.

• Make natural homemade paints, like flour paint.
• Don’t litter. All drains flow to the ocean. Anytime it rains, your litter will eventually be carried to the ocean.

• Walk or bike when possible. Take public transit instead of driving your car. Emissions from your car pollute the environment, which pollutes the water supply. Gasoline production is also highly destructive.
• Use all-natural toothpaste. Avoid toothpaste made with lots of chemicals. Stick to ones that use baking soda, tea tree oil, and other natural products. You can even make your own!
• Use all-natural soaps made from plants, without too much processing.
• Use all-natural laundry detergent, such as soapnuts or Dr. Bronner’s.
• Get involved! Volunteer at your local beach cleanup. Support the Ocean Conservancy or The Ocean Project.
• Learn more about the basics of the Water Cycle here.
• If you’re a business owner, green your business!

[CC Image by Cyron via Flickr]