Whether you are taking a sip of refreshing ice water, fishing in your favorite lake, or enjoying a hot shower after a long day, clean water plays an essential role in everyday life. Water quality affects nearly every aspect of our health, environment, and communities.
August is National Water Quality Month, and R.H. White recognizes the critical importance of clean water to the health, safety, and well-being of the New England communities we serve. This issue is especially relevant not only to the work we do building, renovating, and maintaining water treatment plants, but also to R.H. White’s core purpose: to create well-being for our people, our customers, and our communities.
According to National Water Quality Month*, there are several simple actions each of us can take to help protect and improve water quality:
1. Wash your car at a car wash
Even though it might cost more than washing your car at home, taking your car to a car wash saves water and prevents toxic chemicals from being flushed into the storm drains that eventually empty into our lakes, rivers, streams, and oceans. Professional car washes are legally required to drain into sewer systems so that the water can be treated before being reused.
2. Pick up after your pet
Animal waste is full of nitrogen, which can remove oxygen from the water and leave it unusable for aquatic life.
3. Don’t hose down your driveway
Using a broom prevents debris and contaminants from flowing into storm drains.
4. Don’t use fertilizer made with phosphorus
After heavy rainfall or watering, these chemicals can leak into nearby groundwater sources. Try using organic materials or waiting for drier weather if you absolutely need to use lawn care products.
5. Do not flush expired or unwanted medication down the toilet
These products have toxic chemicals that should not be flushed down the drain.
6. Learn how to properly dispose of leftover paint
Even house paint thrown in the trash can impact local water.
7. Take used oil or antifreeze to a service station or recycling center
Watch for local hazardous waste drop-off days in your community.
8. Avoid using antibacterial soaps or cleaning products
These products can be toxic to marine life.
9. Use a rain barrel to collect rainwater
Installing a rain barrel will not only save you money but can also be used to water your lawn and plants.
Take a moment to consider your daily habits and how small changes can make a meaningful difference in protecting our water resources. Individual actions may seem small, but together they can have a lasting impact on water quality and environmental sustainability.
R.H. White and its subsidiaries, WhiteWater and Lafleur Electric, are proud to partner with organizations such as the New England Water Works Association (NEWWA) and the Massachusetts Water Works Association (MWWA) to support the delivery of safe, reliable, and high-quality water throughout our region.
Whether we’re constructing a new water treatment facility, operating a wastewater treatment plant, or providing 24/7 emergency services to municipal and private-sector clients, we remain committed to addressing today’s complex water infrastructure challenges.
Together, we can help ensure a safe, healthy, and sustainable future, starting with protecting our most valuable resource: clean water.
