Every August, we honor National Water Quality Month. It’s timely, given that it’s the hottest month of the year when staying hydrated is essential for our plants, pets, families, and ourselves. Whether you use well water or city water or want to filter contaminants in your kitchen, there are numerous methods to ensure clean, healthy water for your entire family.

Improve Your Laundry Water Quality

If your laundry is becoming discolored or fading quickly, the water might be the culprit. Rust and sediment in the water stain your white clothes with brown, red, or yellow hues. Alternatively, chlorine in tap water might bleach your once vibrant or dark clothing. A distinct bleach odor when you remove your clothes from the washing machine is a clear indicator.

You can enhance the quality of your laundry water (and your entire home’s water) by installing a whole-house water filter. A whole-house water filtration system removes chemicals, rust, and sediment from all the water entering your home.

Replace Any Aging Water Pipes in Your Home

Older homes often utilize galvanized steel or iron pipes. This can degrade over time. Although a softener and filtration system can help keep the pipes free of scale and sediment, these materials are prone to pitting, corrosion, and leaks. You can get the best water softeners for Arizona to ensure you get the highest quality water.

It’s best to update the piping with more modern materials when leaks occur. Copper piping available at major hardware stores can be connected by soldering. Alternatives like PVC, PEX, or CPVC piping can be used if copper isn’t suitable or desired. Plumbing and hardware stores can advise on the best materials to achieve your desired results.

Install a Water Purification System

Water treatment systems enhance the quality of water in your home. Most water supplies contain hardness, which leads to scale build-up on appliances, clogs showerheads and makes linens rough as well as restricts pipe flow.

Installing a water softener can eliminate hardness. Softeners use a special media to remove magnesium and calcium ions that cause scaling. They can be connected to the entire house supply, offering a cost-effective solution for obtaining soft water. 

Repair and Stop Water Leaks

Leaks in your home not only contribute to waste but can also foster fungus growth and cause structural damage. Regularly inspect under sinks for damp spots, unusual smells, or corroded pipe connections to catch leaks early. Pipes age, connections loosen, and debris can clog systems, leading to build-up and leaks.

Repair dripping faucets both inside and outside the house. Depending on the severity, a dripping faucet can waste anywhere from one gallon to over 10 gallons of water per day. Fixing these leaks is an easy way to conserve water.

In addition to inspecting underneath sinks and fixing dripping faucets, check ceilings and floors for damp spots. Wet areas on these surfaces indicate a leak that needs immediate attention to prevent permanent damage and mold growth. While monitoring your home’s pipes and structure, regularly review your utility bill. An unexpected increase in water usage could signal an unseen or hard-to-detect leak.

Prevent Runoff

Climate change has intensified rainfall, leading to stormwater system overflows and pollution entering rivers. You can help by managing rainwater on your property. One straightforward approach is to mow your lawn to a height of at least three inches. Taller grass develops deeper roots, which enhance the soil’s ability to absorb water.

Leaving lawn clippings on the ground can improve soil richness and absorption. Finally, redirect your downspouts away from paved surfaces and towards grassy areas, rain barrels, or rain gardens.

Endnote

Water quality is an essential aspect of our daily lives, and it’s important to ensure that the water we use in our homes is clean and safe. By following these tips, you can improve the water quality in your home and contribute to a healthier environment for yourself and your community.