With infographic to help at the end of the story but….

One of the most basic needs in life is the ability to have safe drinking water. However, as we have heard from several different news sources, there are some areas of the country, such as Flint, Michigan – and the rest of the world – where the water has not been safe. While we need to save water for several different reasons, the accompanying infographic demonstrates this issue. For it’s one that we also need to understand. Yes folks: I mean what’s lurking in our water.

Drinking Water Regulations

I am always wondering how water is determined to be safe. However, as the United States Environmental Protection Agency tells us, there are several things to consider. According to the agency, treatment techniques protect people’s health by limiting contamination. For they also list lead, nitrates, bromates, and several other contaminants as the root of such health problems.

Flint Facts

Many of us remember hearing about the water crisis in Flint, Michigan. I mean the one several years ago that Elon Musk is helping clean up. Because and according to the accompanying infographic, in 2014, the crisis shocked several people. In fact, over 100,000 people were affected after a water-source change. Lead, nitrates, arsenic, and bromates were all found in the water after the change.

In fact, at least 844 million people do not have access to clean water. All which has also contributed to over a half-million deaths. It is also predicted that, by 2025, half of the world will therefore have water-stressed issues. Yet, most noteworthy, the Safe Drinking Water Act only covers 91 of over 270 known contaminants across the country.

According to CNN, this all also started when the city decided to change their water source to the Flint River.  All the while a new pipeline was also built to get water from Lake Huron. However, that change caused the water to therefore look, smell, and taste funny. Finally and eventually lead to several people getting sick. All as a result after lead contaminated the water.

Clean It Up

However, as noted in the infographic, and by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are several things you can do to help treat the water. You can use reverse osmosis, as well as water softeners, and distillation systems.

But, there are other solutions as well. Coagulation, and flocculation all help by adding a positive charge to the water. One that helps to eliminate any negative chemicals. You can also pass the water through filters made of sand, gravel, or charcoal. All to catch the contaminants. Of course, chlorine works well to “shock” pool water. All the while fluoride in drinking water is known to help strengthen teeth.

While several things are being done to assist with the Flint, Michigan water crisis, the event taught us all a lesson. For this is about keeping our water safe. While a pipeline was needed, it was also necessary to ensure everyone in the neighborhood had safe water to drink. Moreover and most importantly to wash with, and bathe in. However, since then, several agencies have made changes to ensure this does not happen again. Homeowners also should do their part. I mean to make sure that everything is running efficiently, and safely.