What You Can Do To Keep Your Drinking Water Safe Be Aware of Your Water Source and Supplier Where does your water come from? Who is your water supplier? Has your water been tested recently? Is it tested regularly? »How is it treated and protected from contamination? «Have water shortages occurred in your community? Conserve Water In the Home/On the Farm Improve water use and management practice Repair leaking faucets and toilets Understand crop needs for water and irrigate appropriately Water your lawn wisely Wisely Use and Dispose of Household, Lawn, and Garden Chemicals Follow all directions carefully How much is needed? Use only what you need Sponsor or participate in pesticide collection/disposal activities Minimize the Production of Waste Materials Compost vegetable wastes Recycle newspaper, aluminum cans, glass containers Don't buy more of anything than you can use Recycle used motor oil Think of the impact of what you do on water quality Learn the Facts About Your Water Don't believe everything you hear or read in advertisementsget the facts Review results of drinking water tests in your community Attend public meetings Follow the news about drinking water matters, such as the development of new standards Learn about potential contamination sources of groundwater and surface water Get Involved in Your Community Urge your water supplier and state and local regulatory and health officials to insure that your water supply complies with all standards Support efforts to educate the public and elected officials about the need to protect and improve the quality of drinking water Express willingness to pay higher water rates, if necessary, to finance improvements in water quality Support efforts to protect water supplies National H Drinking Water Week Drinking water: on'ftp for the Future ------- Working Together To Keep \bur Drinking Water Safe Public and Private Water Utilities control location of wells and intake pipes that draw water into drinking water systems sample and test water and maintain test records treat water to meet standards for public health and safety protect watershed or wellhead areas inform and involve public about future plans and needs notify public if any problems arise State and Local Pollution Control Agencies protect surface water protect groundwater from contamination monitor groundwater and detect contaminants State Drinking Water Programs establish state drinking water standards (at least as strict as national standards) train staff of local water systems inspect water systems and maintain records «take enforcement actions against water systems in violation of law State Groundwater Protection Programs develop comprehensive groundwater protection strategies develop programs and recommend laws to control contaminating sources and activities » conduct statewide inventory and monitoring of groundwater EPA Drinking Water Program assume responsibility for enforcement when necessary establish drinking water standards »establish monitoring and reporting requirements provide funds and technical assistance to the states »set rules for underground injection wells conduct research and training activities inform the public about new drinking water regulations EPA Groundwater Protection Program coordinate EPA groundwater protection strategy within various affected EPA programs, focusing programs' attention on groundwater concerns assist states in developing comprehensive programs administer wellhead protection and sole-source aquifer protection programs Other Federal Agencies work together with EPA and state agencies on drinking water programs and groundwater protection programs Public Utility Commissions regulate the financing of investor-owned water systems and the rates their consumers pay for water 8"8- National » Drinking Water Week Drinking water: On Tap for the Future ------- |