The Water Crisis - From Pipes to Taps; is there an issue?

I have been involved in the water industry for over 20 years and over this time, I have seen and heard a lot about the condition of the water we drink and spend most of my time researching what is happening. Now, my purpose is not to scare you, although I am sure some people will feel this way. These are real facts mixed with common sense and of course experience. I want to start by putting something into your head, "clear water is not always pure water", it may look clear but what is really in it, do you know how it will affect you?

?There are actually many issues with the water we drink, and the evidence is readily available for those willing to look for it. Despite the fact that many people in the United States and Canada have access to safe drinking water, there are still numerous challenges that threaten the quality and accessibility of our water supply regardless of if you are in a city, or in the countryside.

?Water has changed a lot since I was a kid, remember the days of drinking from the garden hose or a natural spring on the side of the road? Why did we stop??

?In the city, the aging infrastructure of water distribution systems, which can result in leaks and contamination is a growing concern. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, many water pipes in the United States are over 100 years old, and in need of replacement. These aging pipes are prone to leaks, which waste valuable water resources and allow contaminants to enter the water supply. In addition, many pipes are made of materials such as lead, which can leach into the water and pose a serious health risk to consumers. In this article, I will focus more on the city, than rural water, as the impact is there but unseen in many cases.

?When was the last time a city sent out a notice that it was flushing out the pipes?

?Using water daily in your home is not the same as flushing your pipes. While using the water can help to prevent stagnation in your pipes, it may not be sufficient to remove any sediment or buildup that may have accumulated over time.

?Flushing your pipes is particularly important if you have experienced issues with water quality, such as discoloration, odor, or a metallic taste. It is also recommended after any plumbing repairs, after a long period of disuse, or after the pipes have been serviced.

?In our shop, last year, there was a water main break down the street. As we sell and service water distillers, we use solenoids. Prior to this event we never had a problem, so there was no reason to prefilter our water in the shop. However, within about a week after the water main broke, the distillers in our shop started having issues with solenoids. Taking a couple of them apart we noticed that there was excessive sediment buildup affecting the operation of the solenoid. We use tap water in the shop for cleaning mainly, and we did not notice as we use a water distiller in our office to supply our drinking water. And remember we are a water company. The local area of our office date back to 1910, however, homes in the area were built in the 1950s, which would be the water infrastructure is about 72 years old.

?The lack of investment in water infrastructure by governments and businesses is another issue. In the United States, the federal government spends less than 5% of its annual budget on water infrastructure, while in Canada, many remote communities lack basic water infrastructure, leaving residents reliant on bottled water or unsafe sources. This lack of investment leads to poor water quality and limited access to water, particularly in rural and disadvantaged areas.

?The Flint water crisis is a tragic example of the many issues facing water systems in the United States. In 2014, the city of Flint, Michigan switched its water source from Lake Huron to the Flint River in an effort to save money. However, the water from the Flint River was highly corrosive and caused lead to leach from old pipes into the water supply. This means that not all source water is the same and depends on location, one is river water, and one is lake water.

?Climate change is also exacerbating the water crisis, with droughts and extreme weather events becoming more frequent. As a result, water resources are becoming increasingly scarce, and rising sea levels and saltwater intrusion are contaminating freshwater sources, particularly in coastal areas.

?Finally, water pollution is a significant issue that threatens the quality of our drinking water. Industrial and agricultural activities are major contributors to water pollution, releasing chemicals and waste products into rivers, lakes, and other water sources. This pollution can have serious health consequences for both humans and wildlife, and it also makes it more difficult and expensive to treat water for human consumption. Some examples in our water are:

• ?Chemicals: Chemicals from industrial facilities, pesticides from agricultural runoff, and other chemicals can contaminate water sources and make their way into municipal water systems.
• Microorganisms: Microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites can enter water sources through human or animal waste and can cause serious health problems if not properly treated.
• Nutrients: Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus can enter water sources through agricultural runoff and can cause harmful algae blooms, which can produce toxins that are dangerous to human health.
• Sediment: Sediment from erosion, construction sites, and other sources can enter water sources and make their way into municipal water systems, causing problems with water treatment processes and increasing the cost of water treatment.
• Heavy metals: Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and arsenic can enter water sources through industrial discharge and can pose serious health risks to those who consume the water.

You need to keep in mind, although every effort is used to prevent contaminants from affecting our health, there may be some of these in acceptable levels in your drinking water. Also, no two people are the same and some are able to tolerate tap water better than others. We need to take a proactive approach to our drinking water, understanding that although we have water on tap it does not mean we need to "turn a blind eye" and not consider our environment.

The evidence of these issues is clear, governments, businesses, and individuals must work together to invest in water infrastructure, prioritize access to safe drinking water, and implement sustainable water management practices in the home as well. There needs to be a shift away from the reliance that tap water is always going to be safe to one that brings awareness of what should drinking water looks like.

References:

?American Society of Civil Engineers. (2021). 2021 Infrastructure Report Card. Retrieved from https://infrastructurereportcard.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2021-Report-Card-Final.pdf

Environment and Climate Change Canada. (2021). Water Quality. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/water-overview/quality.html

United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2021). Drinking Water. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/drinkingwater

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2021). Climate.gov. Retrieved from https://www.climate.gov/

United Nations Water. (2021). Climate change and water. Retrieved from https://www.unwater.org/water-facts/climate-change/

United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2021). Climate Change and Drinking Water. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/climate-change-and-drinking-water

World Health Organization. (2011). Climate Change and Water. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/globalchange/publications/FactsheetCCwater.pdf

American Water Works Association. (2021). Water Main Breaks. Retrieved from https://www.awwa.org/resources-tools/water-knowledge/water-loss-control/water-main-breaks