Ecology Water Policy Practice

c

It encourages water efficiency by placing a special label on products that meet the EPA's standard for water efficiency.

a

It is important to conserve water, because the amount of freshwater that is available for human consumption is limited. Only 1% of the water on Earth is viable for human use. Currently, freshwater resources are being used faster than they can be replenished, which leads to water shortages.

Crop irrigation is one way in which freshwater resources are consumed. Failure to conserve water during irrigation can lead to an increase in pollution that results from runoff. Natural filters are diminished by the overuse of water resources, which leads to an increase in water contamination that would have been filtered by these natural sources. With the increased demands placed upon sewage systems comes an increased likelihood of sewage system failures, which is another potential increase in water contamination.

Water reclamation is a process that is used to rid wastewater of solid material and impurities. This wastewater typically contains sewage. Biological and chemical processes are used to treat the water. In the process of water reclamation, water is returned to a usable state, but not a potable one. Greywater is water that does not contain sewage. This water can be collected from institutions that have separate collection processes for sewage and other wastewater. This water can be used directly for some purposes or can undergo treatment for use in agriculture and other applications. Desalination involves removing dissolved minerals from water to make it drinkable. This process is expensive, requires a great deal of energy, and can be detrimental to the environment in certain circumstances. In areas where freshwater is scarce, but saltwater is not, this is a viable option.

d

The Clean Water Act was implemented in 1972 and regulates the release of toxic materials into waterways. Its purpose was to reduce the amount of water pollution that was already present in waterways and eliminate additional pollution. The Safe Drinking Water Act was implemented in 1974 and serves to insure the quality of drinking water. It is not concerned with the release of toxic chemicals into water systems, but rather the elimination of contaminants in drinking water supplies. It makes sure that facilities that provide drinking water follow a set standard.

a

a