Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Change your household habits
• Method 2 of 3: Keep your garden free from pollution
• Method 3 of 3: Expand your reach
• Tips

Water is one of the most important resources on the planet, and we must do everything we can to keep our water from becoming polluted. Simple changes like using natural cleaning products instead of toxic ones and planting more trees and flowers in your garden can make a big difference. On a larger scale, you can try to combat the dumping of waste by factories in streams, rivers and the sea. Everything you do has an impact.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Change your household habits

1. Use less chemicals to clean your home. This is a very easy adjustment that makes a lot of difference. Using toxic chemicals such as bleach and ammonia to clean your home is not only bad for the water supply, it is also completely unnecessary. Natural cleaning products are just as effective and you don't have to worry about contributing to water pollution when using them.
   • Milieu Centraal has lists of "green" cleaning products on the website, and provides all kinds of tips for environmentally friendly cleaning of your home. Look for this on www.milieucentraal.nl
   • Common home remedies like vinegar and baking soda can be used for everything from window cleaning to cleaning bathroom tiles, and it's completely harmless.
2. Dispose of your waste properly. Never flush anything that is not biodegradable down the sink. If you must use anything that could be toxic to the water supply, such as paint or ammonia, dispose of it properly. If you do not know exactly how to dispose of it, check the website of the municipal recycling center or the waste point, so that you know how to dispose of the chemical waste. Never throw the following things down the drain:
   • Paint
   • Engine oil
   • Solvents
   • Ammonia
   • Chemicals for the pool
3. Do not flush medication down the toilet. Medicines are made of all kinds of substances that can be bad for the water supply. If you have leftover medication, ask the pharmacy what to do with it. At least then they will not end up in the drinking water, which can make people and animals sick.
4. Do not flush waste. Flushing things down the toilet that are not biodegradable, such as diapers, sanitary towels, wet wipes, or tampons, can cause sewer problems. Ultimately, these things can also end up in streams, rivers or other water sources, where they can cause damage to the fish or other animals. Instead of flushing them down the toilet, just put them in the trash.
   • You can also do your bit by using cloth diapers, recycled toilet paper and biodegradable tampons and less ends up in landfills.
5. Save as much water as possible. Conservation is very important to conserve water as a global resource. Treating the water to clean it so it can be drunk and used in the home takes a lot of energy, so it's important to save as much as possible, especially during longer dry spells. Teach yourself the following habits to save more water at home:
   • Take a shower instead of a bath, because you use a lot more water in the bath.
   • Turn off the tap when you are not using water, such as when brushing your teeth.
   • Don't overwater your lawn. Make sure the sprinklers are off when it rains.
   • Water your plants in the garden before the sun comes up, or when it is down, because then less water will evaporate.
6. Avoid using plastic. Because ordinary plastic is not biodegradable, it often ends up in rivers, lakes and oceans. For example, the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch" is a huge pile of waste, especially plastic, that floats in the ocean because it has nowhere else to go. This waste threatens marine life and even affects humans. If possible, use glass or cloth containers instead of plastic.

Method 2 of 3: Keep your garden free from pollution

1. Do not use pesticides and herbicides. These chemicals are sprayed on the surface of the garden, but when it rains it goes deep into the ground and can even get into the ground water. Polluted groundwater can have a negative effect on both the environment and the people who depend on it. Switch to natural methods of getting rid of insect pests and weeds.
   • Research organic gardening methods to discover creative ways to deal with pests. A pest can often be remedied simply with a solution of water and washing-up liquid.
   • Planting native species can help, as they have developed resistance to local pests. Alien species can also be more susceptible to disease.
2. Remove concrete surfaces and replace them with ground covers. When a house is surrounded by stone patios and other surfaces, chemicals used in a pool or gardening are more likely to get into the groundwater than when they can spread close to the surface. It can be tempting to pave your yard so that you have less work on it, but grass or soil is much better for the environment.
3. Prevent soil erosion. If the earth erodes and ends up in ditches, streams or rivers, the chemicals contained in the soil will end up in the water, where it can be a problem for animals and plants. For example, if there is too high a phosphorus content in the water, it can lead to algae growth, causing the fish population to die. The best way to keep the soil from eroding is to plant lots of native trees, shrubs, grasses and ground covers. The roots of the plants hold the soil together so that it cannot fall into the water.
4. Store and compost garden waste. Garden waste in your garden can easily disappear down the drain when it rains. Even though the waste does not contain chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides, an excessive amount of twigs, leaves and grass clippings can cause water supply problems.
   • Your compost should be stored in a crate or barrel so that the materials don't wash away. There are municipalities that give you a compost bin.
   • Use a mulching mower instead of a regular lawn mower. A mulching mower leaves a natural layer of compost on your lawn, and you don't have to clean up the grass clippings.
   • Dispose of garden waste properly. If you don't have a compost bin, or if you have garden waste that you can't compost, call the city council to find out what you can do with it.
5. Maintain your car well. If your car leaks oil or other chemicals, it can end up in the groundwater. Have your car checked regularly and have any leaks repaired immediately.
   • Also, don't forget to dispose of your engine oil properly when you change it yourself. Do not pour it down the drain but take it to the waste point or the recycling center.

Method 3 of 3: Expand your reach

1. Make a contribution at school or at work. You can take the same steps as at home to reduce water pollution at work or at school. Look at the policy at work or at school and see if you can change things so that it becomes less polluting there. By involving classmates, teachers and colleagues you can teach others and make a difference together.
   • For example, you can recommend at school or at work to switch to organic cleaning products, and tell which types you think work well.
   • You can also put up signs to remind others to save water in the kitchen or toilets.
2. Help to clean up waste in places where there is a lot of water. If you live close to a stream, river or the sea, there are many things you can do to reduce pollution there. Check whether campaigns are being organized to clean up waste. These days are often organized by the municipality, and it is very nice to clean the area around the water with a lot of volunteers.
   • If you can't find an organization that organizes these kinds of actions in your area, you might be the right person to start! Consider organizing a clean-up day. Set a date, announce the event and have a plan on how to collect and dispose of the waste.
3. Speak up about water issues affecting the community. Companies that discharge industrial waste into water are the main culprits when it comes to water pollution. There are laws to prevent this, but it still occurs. Find out if a particular factory or power plant near you is responsible for polluting the water and publicize the problem.
   • Research local and state laws regarding water pollution, and join a workgroup to protect water in your area.
   • By voting for politicians who consider water protection important, you may also be able to combat water pollution.

Tips

• Think of the bigger picture. You may think that a little bit of oil leaking from your car won't hurt. But the oil from millions of cars is piling up and that is soon as bad as a sunken oil tanker. You can't fix all leaking cars in the world, but you can fix your own. Be part of the solution.
• If you are not sure whether something is dangerous, check with the waste disposal point or the municipality.
• In some areas, agricultural waste may be a greater pollutant than municipal waste. If you work in the agricultural sector, contact an environmental organization to find out how you can reduce the impact on the environment.
• Teach your family, friends and neighbors how they can contribute. If there is no environmental education program in your area, you may be able to take the initiative.