Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
region. You can check out about protecting the source of your water
at http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/drinkingwater/sourcewater/
protection/index.cfm.
PROTECTING WATER SUPPLIES
Many of the nation's cities, towns, water suppliers, industries, and
private organizations already have begun to ask these crucial ques-
tions and continue to work on getting the answers right.
New York in Action
New York City's aging water system dates back to the early 1900s
and earlier. The city and the federal government are spending
$12 million to set up a contaminated-water warning system, and the
city has spent another $300 million. New York City has the largest
unfi ltered water supply in the world. It depends on a series of reser-
voirs, the most distant of which is more than 100 miles north of the
city. The reason for concern, though, isn't terrorists poisoning
the water supply; it's fear that construction around the watershed
will pollute the reservoirs. To get a better idea of how that can hap-
pen, consider how a watershed operates. Think of a swimming pool
that's covered with a tarp or some other fl exible cover. After a rain-
storm, the water drains toward, and collects, in the center. That's
what happens with a watershed—all points drain into the lowest
point, which in this case is the reservoir or reservoirs (Figure 4.2).
How to Help Lessen Groundwater Contamination
Here are suggestions on how businesses can lessen the chance of
groundwater contamination, according to the Michigan Environ-
mental Services Division.
11
Practice waste reduction.
List the waste your business generates
currently, and then figure out if you can reduce the toxicity
and amount of that waste.
Replace toxic raw materials
with nontoxic or less-toxic raw mate-
rials wherever possible.
Replace toxic operational supplies
like cleaners and solvents with
nontoxic or less-toxic materials wherever possible.
