HURDLE TO BROADER USE OF TREATED WASTEWATER-CHEMICALS DOWN THE DRAIN OR FROM OUR YARDS
Wonderful Minnesota Public Radio news article explains how Mankato is using treated wastewater to prevent drawing down of their aquifer. They used to discharge it into the Mississippi, now they use it for cooling towers at a natural gas plant, sweeping streets, and irrigating parks.They reused 400 mill. gallons of water last year! Three quarters of Minnesotans get their drinking water from wells, so protecting the aquifers is important. Since the aquifers recharge the lakes, it is also important to protecting their many lakes. The major concern in reuse? “there are still too many unknowns with wastewater, namely chemicals washed down the drain in low concentrations. There is evidence these contaminants of emerging concern can build up in the environment, including groundwater.”
We can greatly reduce the contaminants in our water by simply not putting pharmaceuticals down the drain or using synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and weedkillers on our yards. Easy solution to a big problem as water becomes less abundant, even in states where it has always been plentiful.
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