Water is one of the most needed natural resources and is necessary for life. Unfortunately, pollution threatens its safety and availability. Though the government plays a large role in finding solutions for water accessibility, students and youth also play a strong role. These growing individuals are able to help improve water quality in their communities in many important ways. Through advocating, educating, and volunteering, they have a significant impact and influence.
What's Wrong With Water Quality? The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) was introduced to ensure safe and drinkable water was accessible for everyone, but there are still some areas that have water restrictions. In a report from the NDRC, the National Research and Development Corporation, there is analyzed data from 2016 to 2019 that proved there are multiple countries with poor water quality. Many of these areas consist of historically underserved communities. This data states that there are many drinking water violations, and communities may be at risk. Race may be one of the main factors in why communities risk water system violations as well as little action taken from the government. In these water systems, community members risk drinking contaminated water with dangerous levels of lead as well as exposure to hazardous waste. Safe water quality is necessary for recreation, health, wildlife, aquatic life, and much more. It is important to advocate for water that meets safety standards so that living things in our community can stay safe as well.
What Can Youth And Students Do To Take Action? Some things that youth can do to help support good water quality are participating in public events. An example of this could be the Clean Water Act. The Clean Water Act hosts meetings that members of the community are able to attend and advocate at. They can make recommendations and provide insight on how water and health are being impacted. Another option is to get involved. As a youth member of a community, there are always events that support water health. One of these events may be trash clean-ups around bodies of water in your area. This will help to protect wildlife as well as restore water habitats. Another option is to monitor bodies of water around you with the support of the National Water Quality Monitoring Council. This is a great resource to improve water quality around the United States. As a student, it is possible to gain knowledge by learning about water quality data and then spread the word by organizing campaigns through social media or school clubs.
Successful Campaigns And Solutions Nationwide: Some organizations that have made a positive impact on communities are Clean Water Action, World Water Council, Project WET, and the National Water Quality Monitoring Council. Clean Water Action is a nationwide organization that prioritizes protecting clean and affordable water. They run campaigns that reduce toxic chemicals in water, stop water pollution, and defend crucial laws such as the Clean Water Act. As a group, they educate individuals about water quality and empower people to make a difference. The World Water Council is an international organization that brings together governments, organizations, businesses, and more to focus on water issues so that everyone can have clean water accessible to them. Project WET (Water Education Today) is a nonprofit water education program that trains communities on water literacy so they can spread the word to youth and the public. They promote awareness and knowledge about water resources around the world. The National Water Quality Monitoring Council talks about water quality monitoring and promotes sharing data so individuals are able to understand water resources. This is based in the US and supports all backgrounds.
How Do We Know If Our Waters Are Safe? As a community, citizens want their beaches and the bodies of water around them to be clean and protected. There are places around the world that often ensure safety in their waters by testing and analyzing. For example, San Francisco is one of the cities that frequently tests their waters. As stated in articles, with water samples, scientists are able to measure the level of bacteria. These levels can tell us about the water quality and whether it is safe to swim in. If you look online, there is a list of areas tested in San Francisco. These waters on the list are safe for contact and are not toxic for humans.
Students and youth are important contributors to improving water quality. They are able to create resources to make others aware of what's safe and what isn't and how individuals of all ages can help. By being active in their communities, they can make meaningful change in their neighborhoods. Preventing water insecurity is something that requires the help and support of many people. These steps to improvement made by students can lead to a cleaner and safer environment for all.