Aquifers, one of our most precious resources, provide millions of people across the U.S. drinking water and water for household uses, agricultural, and industrial needs. Today, because of lax regulations and lack of enforcement of current regulations regarding water pollution, our aquifers are in trouble. Chemical spills, agricultural runoff, industrial chemical waste, excessive use of chemicals on lawns and golf courses all contribute to this problem resulting in chemical laden water entering the aquifer systems.

There are a number of things we can all do at home to reduce water contamination. Reducing our use of fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and being careful so as not to spill gasoline, oil, antifreeze, and other chemicals used in or around our homes, automobiles, and lawns. Another thing we can do is call or write our Congressman and other government officials demanding tougher restrictions concerning chemical use and disposal by industry, agriculture, and golf courses.

Many people believe the water contained in our aquifers is tens of thousands of years old. This is far from the truth. Aquifers continually receive water. Rain water, which may become polluted from the atmosphere or from contaminated soil, is absorbed by the earth and makes its way into the groundwater. Below the groundwater is a porous rock bed that resembles a honeycomb. The ground water is absorbed by the porous rock and then passed on to the aquifer below, thus contaminating the water we drink.

Sinkholes are created because of a hole, crack, or fissure in the protective rock layer above an aquifer vein. The soil is washed down in through the hole, crack, or fissure creating a hole on the earth's surface. This is common place in Florida. Sinkholes can develop anywhere above the aquifer, in the middle of city streets, under foundations of homes, ect.

Many people apparently think sinkholes are garbage dumps, in which they discard everything from household garbage, furniture, old paint cans, chemicals, used oil, etc.

Sinkholes are actually a direct route to the aquifer. Anything they throw into the sinkhole ends up in the aquifer. Eventually it comes back out in someone's faucet.

This is a very important issue. Our very existence depends on healthy water.

Many contaminants found in drinking water today are known to cause cancer, kidney, heart and liver damage, nervous system disorders, birth defects and reproductive disorders, just to name a few. The average adult body is 55 to 75 percent water. Because our bodies are mostly water, water figures heavily in how our bodies function. Aside from helping digestion and absorption of food, water regulates body temperature, carries nutrients and oxygen to cells, and removes toxins and other wastes.

Water also cushions joints and protects tissues and organs, including the spinal cord, from shock and damage. Conversely, lack of water or dehydration can be the cause of many ailments.

Recent surveys conclude 64 percent of Americans are concerned about their drinking water.

Obviously, the quality of water we drink is very important.

We need to protect our water resources starting now. Tomorrow may be too late.

For more information regarding our drinking water See the following sites: www.supremedrinkingwatersolutions.com www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/healthywater/ www.nrdc.org/water/drinking/brief.asp www.epa.gov/safewater/

About the Author

Water Filtration Consultant St Augustine Florida email: patti@supremedrinkingwatersolutions.com