While many private water systems provide water that is safe and of good quality, it is not uncommon to have one or more water quality problems. Some such as iron or hydrogen sulfide are quite noticeable. Others, particularly those that are health concerns such as nitrate and pesticides, often require testing to detect.
Unlike public water systems, private well owners in most states are not required to regularly test their wells or correct water quality problems. It is each individual …
Many rural residents use an on-site wastewater treatment system (an individual septic system) for treatment and disposal of wastewater, or sewage. Household wastewater may contain contaminants such as disease-causing bacteria, infectious viruses, household chemicals, and excess nutrients. A properly designed, installed, and maintained septic treatment system will reduce the risk of polluting the drinking water supply with these contaminants.
State and local codes specify how on-site wastewater treatment systems must be designed, installed, and maintained. A septic tank and …
Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution, unlike pollution from industrial and sewage treatment plants, comes from many diffuse sources. NPS pollution is caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries away natural and human-made pollutants, finally depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters and ground waters.
Once polluted runoff enters our water resources, it can be very difficult and expensive to clean up. Each of us can take actions …
