Clean drinking water is available from our kitchen faucets. Water flows freely in our showers, whisking away dirt and grime from our bodies. Outdoor spigots allow us to easily hydrate our gardens. We interact with water every day, but how often do we think about where it comes from? How does it stay clean? Can it make us sick? How does the local public water system test my water?
In 1993 the United Nations established March 22 as World Water Day in order to raise awareness of and address issues regarding fresh water. The day is utilized for advocacy of sustainable management of freshwater resources. This is vital as we rely on water for everyday living. In addition, there are currently 2 billion people living without access to safe drinking water. By promoting the value of fresh water, World Water Day attempts to inspire action towards sustainable water. Every year there is a theme to World Water Day. This year's theme is Groundwater- Making the Invisible Visible.
Despite being hidden under our feet, groundwater is everywhere. For some parts of the world this water is the only kind available. A majority of the world's freshwater comes from groundwater. It supplies our streams, lakes, and rivers. Where is it? In aquifers, geological pockets underground made from rocks, sand, and gravel that can hold water. While fantastic sources of freshwater, we are draining aquifers faster than they can replenish. In addition to draining them, we are polluting them in a manner that can take an aquifer decades to recover.
How are they being polluted? Agriculture. Roughly 40% of land in the United States is used for agriculture. In Iowa, more than 85% of the land is used for agriculture. Unfortunately, agricultural contaminants, such as pesticides, move through every component of the hydraulic system. This happens when it rains and the chemicals are washed into lakes and streams. What does not get washed away into these water sources gets pulled underground and absorbed into aquifers. This directly impacts our water quality as well as quantity.
What can we do about it? One way to protect our water sources is to use them sustainably. This can be done at home by conserving water. Here are 45 ways you can do so at home. Another way you can protect our waterways is to urge local, state, or federal politicians to adopt sustainable water policies.
If you're looking for more information regarding our water systems the Loras Library has some great books including: Water Reuse; Water Ethics; Water Resource and the Aquatic Environment; Water Pollution Policies and the American States. If you are looking for something a bit lighter, check out the display of juvenile water books on the Library’s first floor.
