Did you know that there are approximately 153,000 public
drinking water systems and more than 16,000 publicly owned wastewater treatment
systems in the United States? If you said, “yes,” then you are correct. Fact. More
than 80% of the U.S. population receives their drinkable water from these water
systems. Additionally, approximately 75% of the U.S. population has its
sanitary sewerage treated by these wastewater systems.
Consuming safe drinking water is paramount to everyone. Fresh,
clean, and healthy water is a prerequisite for protecting public health and the well-being
of a community. It is also important that properly treated wastewater is vital
in preventing diseases as well as protecting the environment. In doing so, it ensures
that the supply of drinking water and wastewater treatment services remain essential
to everyday life and to our Nation’s economy.
Water Facts
 |
| Courtesy of Tech Hive |
· While 71% of our earth is blanketed with water, approximately
3.5% is fresh water
·
Of that fresh water, only about 25% is accessible – simply
put, only 0.75% of the world’s water is fresh and accessible for use.
Water in the
Environment
 |
Courtesy of Horizon Water and Environment
|
This following chart provides an idea how much water a
typical household consumes:
Common Questions
Here are just a few of the most commonly asked questions about your drinking water…
A. It depends. According to the EPA, bottled water is not necessarily safer
than your tap water. However, some bottled water is treated more than tap
water while some is treated less or not treated at all. Bottled water costs
much more than tap water based on a per-gallon ratio. The EPA sets the standards
for drinking water provided by public water systems. Bottled water and tap
water are both safe to drink if they meet these EPA standards.
Q. How long can
bottled water be stored?
A. Currently, the FDA has not established a shelf life for bottled water.
However, it can be stored indefinitely if it is kept in the proper environment –
in a dry place out of direct sunlight, stored at room temperature or cooler,
and kept away from toxic chemicals such as cleaning agents, solvents, and gasoline.
Q. How much does it
cost to treat and deliver drinking water?
A. It costs less for our drinking water than it does for most other goods
and services such as cable television, telephone service, and
electricity. On average, tap water costs
are slightly more than $2 per 1,000 gallons although the costs tend to be
lower for large water systems.
Q. Can I tell if my
drinking water is okay by just looking at it, tasting it, or smelling it?
A. No. None of the chemicals or microbes that could make you sick can be seen,
tasted, or smelled.
Do you have any
additional questions or comments you would like to add? Feel free to respond
below. Thank you for visiting!!!
References:
- DHS. (2017). Water and Wastewater Systems Sector. Retrieved from Department of Homeland Security: https://www.dhs.gov/water-and-wastewater-systems-sector
- EPA. (2017). Frequent Questions. Retrieved from US Enviromental Protection Agency: https://safewater.zendesk.com/hc/en-us?faq=true
- EPA. (2017). National Primary Drinking Water Regulation Table. Retrieved from US Environmental Protection Agency: https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/national-primary-drinking-water-regulation-table
- GeoPlatform. (2017). Water and Waste Water Systems Sector. Retrieved from Geospatial Platform: https://cms.geoplatform.gov/geoconops/water-and-waste-water-systems-sector
- JHU. (2014). Water In The Environment. Retrieved from John Hopkins University Water Institute: http://water.jhu.edu/index.php/about/water-in-the-environment/
- Philips, O. (2015). World Water Day and the Issue of Water Shortage. Retrieved from Save the Water: http://savethewater.org/2015/03/07/world-water-day-issue-water-shortage/
- The Infographics Show. (2011, March 27). Water Facts! Learn fun facts about the thing you drink every day! Retrieved from YouTube: https://youtu.be/PjSUg6JsLYw
No comments:
Post a Comment