Simal Ali
EPA Develops New Planning Approach to Improve Water Quality in U.S. Cities
Release Date: 10/28/2011
Contact Information: Stacy Kika, kika.stacy@epa.gov, 202-564-0906, 202-564-4355
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/68C9214FF1E0C157852579370055D62A
LINK TO PICTURE:http://www.adedgetechnologies.com/images/USGS%20County%20map.jpg
Description of picture: I found this picture to be really interesting because it is actually showing the arsenic concentration rates in America.
SUMMARY:In Washington today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a commitment, to begin using a planning process to help local governments deal with financial situations where they can identify opportunities to achieve clean water by controlling and managing releases of waste water and storm water runoff more efficiently and cost effectively. This new approach will address the most serious water quality issues and provide ways to fix them. As the sewer systems are getting older, it seems to be more obvious that they are not designed to handle heavy rain and snowfall in addition to handling the waste water from growing populations and local industries. They can overflow, releasing untreated sewage into waterways, onto city streets or into the basements of homes. As the runoff flows over the land, including paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops, it carries along with it remains of anything broken down like chemicals, sediment and other pollutants. Overflows and storm water can carry a variety of harmful pollutants, including bacteria, metals and nutrients that threaten communities' water quality and can contribute to disease outbreaks, flooding, and fishing or swimming warnings.
OPINION: I think it’s a great idea that the EPA is trying to find a better way to protect water quality. Like the article said the EPA will work with local governments to review the Clean Water Act requirements, so that each township will look for opportunities to improve the cleanness of their water. This is a good way to sit down and really think out what should be done. This was relative to class because as we were learning about what contaminates in our water can do, we talked about have they can contribute to disease outbreaks, flooding, and fishing or swimming warnings, just like the article. I believe this article ties in with my personal life because I always hear news stories about contaminated water in Africa, and storm water runoffs and this article actually helped me understand what action is taken after these events.
QUESTIONS OF MY OWN:
1.Is all the drinking water in America safe?
2.What are the most common contaminates found in drinking water?
3.What are a few results that can take place, if the community’s water quality carry harmful contaminates?
First of all, this is a great way to monitor and protect our water and keep it clean and safe. In class today, we talked about the fact that bottled water is more harmful than tap water because tap water is monitored and looked at 300-400 times per month. That is a LOT more than how often bottled water is monitored.
ReplyDeleteTo answer question #1, not all of America's water is safe. Especially when it is processed it is absolutely NOT safe. Such as in bottled water. My family used to buy bottled water all of the time and I drank at least one bottle of water each day. But now, we have a BRITA filter and use that for our drinking water. It saves a ton of money and resources. But, even some of the surface water and ground water that we get our drinking water from is not safe. If you look at some of our water, most of it is polluted. That is not safe to drink from. It is quite dangerous can have many pollutants that can get into your body and harm you.
I think that this is a great way to help make all the water we use safe and pure. Now that they notice the sewer pipes are overflowing they will be able to help stop the sewage overflow, hence keeping contaminates out of human air.
ReplyDeleteThe questions that I have are will each local government be given the money from the EPA or will they have to take money out of their own funds?
To answer quesiton number 1 I do not think that all of the water that Americans have to drink is clean, but I think that most of it is clean.
To answer question number 3 babies can get blue baby diesease, you can also develope stomach issues, and tooth problems.
I think that it is a good thing that they are realizing what the problem is with the water quality all over the U.S. so now we can start fixing broken and damaged sewage pipes! Its kind of gross thinking about people actually having to drink water with untreated sewage in it! EW!
ReplyDeleteTo answer question 1, All the water in America probably isn't all clean. There are probably some places around different factories that are full of contaminates that are very harmful to the human body.
Questions of my own:
1. Who would tak the responsibility of putting in new sewage pipes and making sure they stay in good condition?
2. Is there anything the resident can do to stop the sewage from getting on the streets?
Not only is this new process ensuring quality of water, but it is also helping reduce the high amount of costs that are necessary to clean and test water. This will reduce the amount of waste water and contribute to the amount of clean water that can be used for daily human use and consumption.
ReplyDeleteTo answer number 3, it cause humans to be extremely susceptible to sickness and death. Dirty water can cause them to die from diarrhea and other diseases.
question- Would you think this process would be easier if people were well educated on the topic?
How many Americans receive and drink contaminated water daily?
Is there anything house owners can do to make their water cleaner?