Water Quality in My Community Paper Example

Introduction

According to reports of both calendar years 2016 and 2017, my tap water met state drinking water and Environmental Protection Agency standards. Austin Municipal Water in Texas watchfully safeguards its water supplies, and therefore, I am proud to report that the city's water system has not violated the utmost contaminant levels or other water quality level for the last two years. Water quality is important to everyone hence the Austin Municipal District is dedicated to providing the residents with safe drinking water by non-violation of water quality standards or contaminant levels.

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Sources of Drinking Water

Drinking water for Austin Municipality originates from various sources primarily Lake Travis, Austin Watershed, and Lower Basin Watershed. The surface water sources form Austin Municipal District reservoir, (Patino, Dawson, and VanLandeghem, 2014).

All Drinking Water May Be Contaminated

Drinking water from both the tap and bottled water come from lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, wells, springs, and reservoirs. Water may dissolve radioactive materials or naturally-occurring minerals, and in some cases, carry human and animal substances during its flow.

Therefore, drinking water is logically expected to contain negligible amounts of different contaminants like: first, microbial contaminants, for example, bacteria and virus, which may originate from the septic system, sewage system, wildlife, and agricultural livestock operations. Second, inorganic substances, for example, metals and salts which may occur naturally or result from domestic and industrial wastewater discharge, mining, farming, gas and oil production, or water runoff in urban areas. Third, herbicides and pesticides which may originate from sources such as urban storm runoff, agriculture, and residential uses. Next, organic chemical contaminants which include volatile organic chemicals and synthetic materials, which come from petroleum production, industrial processes, gas stations, septic system, and stormwater runoff. Last, radioactive contaminants, can result from mining as well as oil and gas production.

For the safety of tap water for drinking, environmental protection agency must reinforce rules which limit the number of specific contaminants in water given by the public water system. The presence of contaminants in water, therefore, does not necessarily mean that water is toxic or health risk, (World Health Organization, and Unicef, 2014).

Secondary Constituents

Many constituents like sodium, iron, and calcium are frequently found in drinking water and may cause color, odor, or taste problem. Secondary constituents are controlled by the State of Texas, and not environmental protection agency.

Cryptosporidium

The Cryptosporidium microscopic parasite is always absent in all the water tested samples by Austin Municipal District. It affects both animal and human digestive systems. Cryptosporidium has no proven drug to cure it, though, with a healthy and strong immune system, it recovers quickly. Other people like the elderly, cancer patients, infants, people with HIV/AIDS, among others may be more vulnerable to attack by the parasite. Advice from a health care provider about drinking water is therefore necessary, Smith, (2015).

Chloramines

The chloramine disinfectant is vital for the Austin Municipal District in that; it minimizes the byproduct disinfection in the system as well as preventing waterborne diseases. Chloramine may cause hemolytic anemia if it is not entirely removed from drinking water. Therefore, the charcoal filter must be used to remove the Chloramine in addition to the implementation of doctors' precautions. Chloraminated water can be toxic to aquatic life hence there is need to use filters in fish ponds to trap the Chloramines.

Odor and Taste Problems

According to Lue-Hing, Tata, and Witherspoon, (2016), the major water pollutant in Austin Municipality is the smell caused by a natural algae bloom, which is common in lakes due to a warm climate in Texas during summer months. The algae blooms cause the grassy, smell, and earthy taste that occur during dry seasons. Both Anabaena and Nostoc species of the blue-green algae release an oily organic chemical that changes the smell and taste of water during hot and dry seasons. Although the algae blooms are aesthetically unpleasant to the consumer, it does not change the high quality of water treated and delivered by Austin Municipal Water District.

Kneese, and Bower, (2013), stresses that water is a basic commodity for life and hence, its conservation and management must be equally important. To control water pollution, first, wastewater treatment must be adopted by municipals. For instance, North Texas Municipal District typically treats water by sewage treatment plant, a well-coordinated system that removes 90 percent of the pollutant. Additionally, repair and replacement of malfunctioning and leaking equipment are necessary.

Industrial wastewater treatment is also significant, and specific industries must practice specialized treatment of heavy metal wastes, grease, oil, ammonia, and volatile compounds before discharge to the main water source. Again, there is a need for industries to redesign their manufacturing processes to eliminate pollutants.

Lastly, establishing aims for control of water pollution is fundamental, that is, policymaking, coordination and planning for the treatment plant will make it successful. Moreover, it is wise to monitor the activities within the plant, enforce the law where necessary in cases like vandalism, and finally, conduct training to both staff and the general public on the importance of water management.

Conclusion

Access to safe drinking water is among the most effective ways to support the community and collective development. It is prudent to approach water quality management in an integrated manner to achieve sustainability. Communities must also practice proper hygienic practices and behavioral change through empowerment and ownership. Finally, training all stakeholders on water quality management will improve health, food, sanitation, and income.

References

Kneese, A. V., & Bower, B. T. (2013). Managing water quality: economics, technology, institutions. Rff Press.

Lue-Hing, C., Tata, P., & Witherspoon, J. (2016). VOC Emissions from wastewater treatment plants: Characterization, control and compliance. CRC Press.

Patino, R., Dawson, D., & VanLandeghem, M. M. (2014). Retrospective analysis of associations between water quality and toxic blooms of golden alga (Prymnesium parvum) in Texas reservoirs: Implications for understanding dispersal mechanisms and impacts of climate change. Harmful Algae, 33, 1-11.

Smith, Z. A. (2015). The Environmental Policy Paradox (1-download). Routledge.

World Health Organization, & Unicef. (2014). Progress on sanitation and drinking water: 2014 update. World Health Organization.