Water Conservation 101
Tapping into the H20 basics
All dried up
Droughts deplete topsoil and lower agricultural output, and ironically enough, dry soil cannot absorb and hold water as well as topsoil, so once we're in a drought, it's tough to get out! Combat drought in your plot of land by using mulch to retain soil moisture.
Good enough to drink?
Probably not. And you might not want to swim in there either. Fresh water bodies are polluted by storm-water runoff from construction sites, impervious surfaces like pavement and by industry processes that cast off wastewater from cooling and other manufacturing processes that can contain toxic chemicals. To top it off, agricultural runoff of fertilizer and pesticides along with poorly treated "organic wastes" or sewage eventually end up in the water system — yuck. Pollution can degrade water to make it unsafe for recreation.
Water pollution
Water pollution is a problem for our health and for the natural world. We've been cautioned to avoid certain types of fish and seafood because of their high mercury content. How did it get there? Industrial processes and coal-fired power plants release tons of mercury into the air, and when it rains, that mercury ends up in our water and the bodies of many organisms. It travels up the food chain and reaches our mouths in tuna fish sandwiches or other tasty treats.
