August 2024
By: Anthony Elert & Josh Walejewski
Read Time: 3 Minutes

Is there anything quite as refreshing as a cold glass of water after a day in the sun on an August afternoon? August is the perfect time to appreciate and protect one of our most precious resources. Why? Because it’s National Water Quality Month! The importance of clean water goes beyond hydrating, washing dishes, doing laundry, and showering. It’s essential for our health, our environment, and even our economy. In celebration of National Water Quality Month, let’s raise a glass to water quality and discover how we can all play a part in its preservation.

The Importance of Water Quality in WI

Wisconsin is home to over 84,000 miles of rivers, 15,000 lakes, and 1.2 quadrillion (the big number after trillion) gallons of underground water. It also borders two of the world’s largest lakes, Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. So how does all of this water impact our home, and why is it important to ensure we don’t take it for granted? Here are some eye-opening stats from the DNR:

• Wisconsin’s fisheries are worth $2 billion annually
• In 2022, our commercial ports alone had more than $7 billion worth of cargo pass through them, supported 7,601 jobs, and generated over $1.68 billion in economic output and over $570 million in personal income from wages and salaries
• Our water is the backbone supporting our $104.8 billion agricultural industry. In 2021, Wisconsin’s agriculture used 76 billion gallons of groundwater for irrigation alone
• Wisconsin residents and businesses withdraw about 1.9 trillion gallons of water annually

This volume is roughly:

• Enough water to cover the state of Wisconsin in 1.6 inches of water
• Equivalent to 1.3 million large fountain drinks per person, per year

Okay, okay, you probably get it by now, water is important, and we use a lot! But what can we do to help preserve and protect it?

Becoming a Water Quality Champion

Mindful Disposal

Avoid flushing medications, pouring chemicals, or disposing of oil down your drains or nearby storm sewers. These substances are like uninvited guests at a pool party – they just don’t belong in our water systems.

Eco-Friendly Car Washing

Next up, consider giving your car some TLC at a professional car wash instead of in your driveway. It might cost a few extra bucks, but professional car washes are required to properly dispose of wastewater. Contrary to belief, car washes often use less water than you would at home, making it a more environmentally friendly option.

The Hidden Impact of Water Softeners

Let’s consider an often-overlooked source of water pollution: water softeners. Though useful for reducing hard water, water softeners can have unintended consequences on our local ecosystems and freshwater resources. According to the Wisconsin DNR, it only takes one teaspoon of salt to make five gallons of water toxic for freshwater organisms.

Water softeners use salt to remove minerals from hard water, creating a salty brine that’s flushed out during regeneration cycles. This brine often ends up in our groundwater, rivers, and lakes, potentially harming aquatic ecosystems and affecting soil quality.

Fortunately, there are ways to minimize this environmental impact:

1. Upgrade Your Softener: If your unit is over 10 years old, consider upgrading to a new, more efficient model. Modern softeners use demand-based regeneration, which means they regenerate based on actual water usage, not a preset schedule. This results in less frequent regeneration, reduced salt usage, and a lower quantity of wastewater.
2. Disconnect Outdoor Hoses: Regardless of your softener’s age, you can reduce its workload by disconnecting outdoor hose bibs from your softener system. Most outdoor uses don’t require soft water, and this simple step can significantly decrease salt usage and water waste.

Improve Your Home’s Water Quality and Reduce Plastic Waste

Are you still using single-use plastic water bottles in your home? One of the most important things you can do to reduce your environmental footprint is to switch to reusable water bottles.

Think about it. If you exclusively drink from 12 oz plastic water bottles, consuming the average daily amount of 64 oz of water, you would go through a little over 5 bottles per day. This adds up to an astounding 1,825 bottles that could end up in the ocean or a landfill each year.

Perhaps you would like to save some money and reduce your plastic waste, but you simply can’t stand the taste of your home’s tap water. We have good news! There is an easy way to have the same water quality as your favorite name brand, without all of the wasted plastic.

Install a Reverse Osmosis System

Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems are sleek, efficient, and highly effective. An RO system works by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane under pressure. This process removes 99% of contaminants, leaving your tap water pure and tasting great.

Did you know many of the most popular bottled water brands use this exact process to create the great tasting water they sell? Installing a reverse osmosis system in your own home is a win-win solution for both the planet and your wallet! Kettle Moraine is happy to install these systems for you.

Install More Efficient Toilets

Toilets use more water than anything else in your home. Toilets account for 30% of an average home’s indoor water consumption. Older, inefficient toilets can use as much as 3-6 gallons per flush, while new toilets can use as little as 1.00-1.60 gallons per flush.

Installing a newer and more efficient toilet is also a wise investment. Swapping out your old 1980-1994 toilet for a more efficient version will typically pay for itself within 2 years. After that, it’s money in the bank!

Skip the Hassle and Use Your Dishwasher

There is a common misconception that the dishwasher uses far more energy and water than hand washing, but here are the facts. New, energy star-rated dishwashers use as little as 3-6 gallons per load depending on settings.

On the other hand, running your faucet for 5 minutes uses about 15 gallons of water. It’s estimated that handwashing uses about 3-4 times more water than running a load through the dishwasher.

Conclusion

National Water Quality Month reminds us how vital clean water is in our daily lives. By making small changes like using reusable bottles, being mindful of what goes down our drains, and replacing dated appliances, we can all help protect and preserve this precious resource.

Remember, every drop counts. Next time you turn on the tap, take a moment to appreciate the clean water we often take for granted. Together, we can ensure safe, refreshing water for generations to come.

Read more blog posts from Kettle Moraine Heating & AC.

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About the Author
Josh Walejewski

Josh is a professional marketer who has worked in the HVAC industry since 2017. With a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences Degree (B.A.A.S) in marketing and sustainable business management from the University of Wisconsin, he has a passion for all aspects of HVAC, business, marketing, and environmental stewardship.