Answer to Question #267297 in Ecology for Jen

Question

Discuss where your freshwater comes from in your community. Perhaps it is supplied by the city or maybe a well. If water is supplied by the city, what is its source?

What makes your water safe to drink?

What do the results tell you about your local water?

What do they tell you about your environment? Do you place water filters on your city water? Why?

If you do not have city water, but have a well, when was the last time you had a water test done? What were the results?

What did the test tell you about your water?

How often do you test your water?

Have you seen changes in the test results over time?

What do your water tests tell you about your environment?

Do you have filters on your water? Why or why not?

How do test results differ based on the source of water (private well or city source)?

Do water sources from the same regions have similar contaminants/issues, such as concentration of specific minerals?

Are there similarities in what is deemed acceptable or unacceptable by the municipal sources?

Answer 1

Fresh water in our community is supplied by the city council. Usually, they obtain it from a nearby river then treat it with chlorine and fluoride, filter it after which they supply to us for use. Additionally, we always boil the water to make it safe for drinking because sometimes it contains germs and impurities from the pipes or the source.

From boiling, it is notable that the water is not salty because it rarely forms scum on the boiling apparatus, however, it contains impurities and dirt that are eliminated on boiling thus boiled water rarely causes diseases unlike the unboiled water.

we place filters on the city water so that they may remove undissolved particles such as dust, parasites, bacteria, and chemicals. This makes the water healthier and tastier.

Since we use water from the city source, we seldom test it although once in a while it is tested because contamination may occur from sewage releases or naturally occurring chemicals and minerals. However, well water should be tested at least once a year for nitrates, pH levels, and other contaminants.

From the test results, city water contains more contaminants than well water which is healthier and sweeter because it is not treated with harsh chemicals. Chlorine and fluoride used to treat city water are almost impossible to filter out thus its questionable quality.

Water sources from the same regions may have the same contaminants.

Similarities exist based on what water is deemed acceptable or not for drinking by the municipal sources.