After reading about water quality issues in the U.S. and around the world we will be examining the water quality in our local communities. There are two types of sources for all fresh water. We get it either from underground sources such as aquifers or surface water from lakes reservoirs and rivers. In this activity we will use an interactive website that allows us to look at our local water sources and the contaminants that can be found there.
Completing this activity will assist you in mastering Module Level Outcomes 1 and 2.
First read:
Next:
1. Go to this Environmental Working Group website The National Drinking Water Database.
2. Click on Find Your Water at the top of the page and follow the directions to find your location by entering your zip code into the box on the top right.
3. When the page opens it lists all the communities and their separate water providers in your zip code.
4. Select the one where you live or work (or closest to where you live) and click on the name of the supplier listed on the left side of the table. NOTE: If you have a private water source such as a well for your home select the closest town or community near your home/work.
5. This opens to a table of contaminants tested for and a summary of all results. There will be four columns for Contaminants Average/Maximum Result Health Guidelines Exceeded Contaminants Legal Limits Exceeded then a graphic sliding scale for the testing history of results.
6. Scroll over a listed contaminant chemical or pollutant and a pop-up box will give a brief description of where it came from and what it is. If you click on this it will expand with further information.
Finally post to the Discussion Board:
1. Tell us your location choice (town state etc.) and the name of the specific water supplier you chose.
2. Select one of the contaminants that are listed for your area that exceeded health or legal guidelines (or both) and one of the contaminants that did not.
3. Give a brief description of what these contaminants are and from where they come. For example: Manganesea naturally occurring mineral that comes from mineral deposits in the soil and industrial use. (This is available by clicking on the contaminant and a pop-up appears.)
4. How do the results for the contaminants in your water make you feel about your public water supply? Do you think that the government is doing enough to monitor and inform the public? Why or why not?
5. Discuss how this information may impact you and your family. Include any actions you may take going forward and how you might want to help your community if there is a problem.
Your initial post responding to this assignment should be no shorter than 250 words. Include both in-text citations and complete APA style references for all the sources you used to inform your work