Here in the United States, we take fresh drinking water for granted. Drinking tap water isn’t something we generally think twice about — we simply turn on the tap, put a glass under it, and drink. In many other countries, fresh drinking water is much more of a problem. Drinking the water without boiling it can be harmful, because of contamination and the health concerns it presents. Our safe drinking water is in part due to the environmental remediation equipment we use to keep groundwater pollution managed and to deal with industrial wastewater pollution. Water treatment plants are also crucial to our safe drinking water as well. If you’re wondering what environmental remediation equipment is and how it benefits us, read on!
Understanding Environmental Remediation Equipment
Those words strung together look formidable — what does it mean, anyway? Environmental remediation refers to getting rid of any pollutants or contaminating chemicals that enter the ground, groundwater, earth, or water. In some cases, the government or an environmental agency can order environmental remediation to ensure that people’s health and the environment is not negatively impacted. In other cases, environmental remediation is put in place to oversee and monitor potential areas that might have been flagged for pollution concern.
How Much Work Do They Have To Do Anyway?
The United States actually has more environmental concerns than might meet the eye. Almost 15% of wells have a higher level of pesticides than should be reported, according to a government survey. Additionally, did you know that more than 80% of the sites labeled serious hazardous waste areas have been shown to negatively affect the quality of the surrounding groundwater? This same groundwater makes up over 95% of the country’s fresh water and over half of the people in the country use it as drinking water. Even more horrifying, over 15,000 chemical spills happen every year, from trucks, trains, and storage tanks — usually when the chemicals or oils are in transport.
What Can I Do About Keeping The Water Clean?
Although wastewater management and environmental remediation equipment are necessary prevention measures, there are things you can as an individual to help as well! You can lobby your politicians and big corporations to be environmentally aware and stop dumping industrial waste in important water resources. Although most big industrial plants are moderated, there are still environmental transgressions they can commit as well.
Another way you can help is by watching your own habits and those of your family and friends. Don’t litter — did you know that about 80% of water pollution is due to what’s known as domestic sewage? This means throwing garbage on the ground or in bodies of water (from something as small as a creek to the ocean) and leaving it there. This garbage seeps into our drinking water and contaminates it, requiring a heavier and more involved treatment process to make sure our water stays drinkable.
Remember that our drinking water is a privilege, not a right. Do your part to keep it clean and appreciate the processes and equipments that keep it that way.