You are what you eat is a common saying that encourages people to become more aware of their food choices, but did you know that this caution extends to drinking water? Water quality has become a hot topic in America, especially after the shake up caused by the Flint water crisis in Michigan. It’s no wonder that people are more concerned than ever about what is in their their drinking water.

Luckily, there are several action steps people can take to maintain and protect the water quality within their local communities and beyond. Although local water authorities are quite vigilant in water quality monitoring, homeowners can unknowingly affect the quality of the groundwater around their homes. Being more mindful of the environmental consequences caused by seemingly harmless, routine chores can help homeowners protect the surface water quality of their communities.

Here are a few simple action steps you can take to protect the surface water quality in your area.

Maintain your septic system

This should go without saying, but often times people forget about the impact a faulty septic system can have on surface water quality. A septic system malfunction can have serious environmental consequences and have contaminate ground water. If you have a septic system instead of a sewage line, it’s your responsibility to ensure it is properly maintained. Regular or preventative maintenance will not only save you money on expensive repairs, but it also helps to drastically reduce the chances of contamination.

Go green

Using harsh chemical pesticides on your lawn or garden can send surface water quality plummeting into dangerous if not toxic levels. The toxicity of these chemicals can be harmful for pets, children, and any surrounding wildlife. Traces of these dangerous pesticides can make their way into the public water supply, and contribute to a decrease in water levels on a larger scale. In fact, agricultural runoff is major factor in the contamination of public water supplies and the overall health of the environment.

Take the time to do it right

Gasoline, oil, household cleaners, medication, and other chemicals must always be properly disposed of. No exceptions should ever be made when it comes to disposing of chemical waste the right way. These items should never be poured down the drain, flushed, or worse, poured directly into a sewage drain. The toxicity of these chemicals are sure to decrease surface water quality, and this can lead to contamination on an even bigger scale.