Savannah Water Reform

Did you know forests help maintain a safe and clean water supply? Water and forests are essential to life and each other. Forests are natural filters for protecting lakes, streams, and rivers, and all of our water is connected through the hydrologic cycle.

 

The Savannah area drinking water supply is at risk due to rapid growth and development in the region. The entire region of Savannah has only two water sources: the Savannah River and the Floridan Aquifer, and we are facing growing concerns that affect the quality of our water supply. For example, PFAS (forever chemicals) have contaminated local drinking water sources, and the levels in the Savannah River are too high. Read more HERE.

 

In addition, a number of other factors affect the quality of our drinking water:

  1. If you are on municipal water, utilities chemically treat your water. By adding chlorine or chloramine, additional chemical by-products are formed. If you are on well water, no one is treating your water, and you need to get it tested.
  2. City drinking water flows through a complex plumbing infrastructure between the utility and your home, and all pipes leach contaminants.
  3. Pipes, faucets, and fixtures can leach LEAD. Lead pipes, galvanized iron pipes, lead-based solder used to join copper pipes, and even brass and chrome plated faucets can leach lead. Both the EPA and the CDC state that no levels of lead are safe.
  4. Microplastics are a growing concern for our health, and yet they are commonly found in water. Regarding bottled water, researchers have found that, on average, a liter of bottled water includes about 240,000 tiny pieces of plastic. About 90% of these plastic fragments were nanoplastics. Switching from bottled water to filtered tap water could cut your microplastic intake by 90%. 
  5. Pollution, geology, landfills, industrial activity, farming, forestry, runoff, and other environmental factors all affect our water quality. The main cause of poor water quality is human impact, but naturally occurring contaminants are present as well. The EPA regulates these contaminants, however, regulations are outdated, and many contaminants are unregulated (not tested).

 

What can you do to protect your home and health? Book a free water test with a water treatment representative. You will receive an on-site evaluation and treatment recommendations.  Appointments are educational and interactive, designed to teach you everything you need to know about your water.

TEXT TO BOOK A FREE APPOINTMENT:  912-650-3954

Serving Savannah, Pooler, Richmond Hill, Bluffton, and all surrounding cities in Georgia and South Carolina.

 

How can you get involved with improving our water and forests? Please visit:

Savannah Riverkeeper and The Savannah Tree Foundation