Keeping water in the ground clean is more important than you may think.
When it rains, water is absorbed by the earth and stored in the tiny gaps between dirt and rock. This is known as groundwater, which makes up 30 percent of the world's easily available fresh water. As the water slowly makes its way toward the nearest spring, lake or treatment plant, the soil and rocks act as a natural filter. Groundwater, for the most part, remains uncontaminated, but there are ways it can become polluted before it reaches your tap, which can cause health issues.
Run-Off
As ironic as it seems, one of the biggest causes of polluted groundwater starts with the supplier of the groundwater itself -- rain. When it rains, not all the water is absorbed into the ground and flows downhill until it gets absorbed. This is called run-off. While this normal, run-off from an area where heavy amounts of fertilizer or pesticides are used can cause the run-off water to become contaminated and then pollute the groundwater.
Drinking Your Own Trash
Contamination from landfills can happen.
Pollution from landfills can seep into groundwater as well. While most landfills are designed to prevent polluted water from reaching groundwater, water run-off can still occur. The protective barriers can eventually break down, causing leaks that allow water that's full of garbage waste to enter the groundwater system.
Underground Hazards
Over time, anything that's buried in the ground will begin to break down and allow contents to leak out into the ground, eventually mixing with groundwater. This includes old gas tanks, septic systems and even your own water or sewer pipes. When this happens, it allows pollutants -- including old gasoline or raw sewage -- to find their way to the groundwater or into water lines.
Household Pollutants
The chemicals you use in everyday living, such as tub or toilet cleaners that contain harsh chemicals, can end up in your groundwater if there's a sewage-pipe break. If you wash your car at home, the soap and grime from your car can run down your driveway and enter the groundwater system. If you have pets, their waste output can contribute to groundwater contamination, especially if you have several pets relieving themselves in the same small area.
Tags: break down, enter groundwater, enter groundwater system, from landfills, groundwater system, into ground