All tap water comes from some body of water outdoors, whether that’s a lake, a river or an underground water supply. When it rains, those water supplies can be contaminated by the rainwater that flows into them. This rainwater is known as storm runoff, and it can be a major source of water quality issues in your home. Today we’re going to talk about how storm runoff affects water quality, the types of contaminants that are picked up by storm runoff and how a water treatment system can protect your tap water from contamination when it rains!
What is storm runoff and how does it affect water quality?
Storm runoff is a term that refers to the water that flows over the ground when it’s raining. Although a certain amount of rainwater is absorbed directly into the ground where it falls, much of that rainwater travels some distance over the ground before it finally settles. This can contaminate your home’s tap water in a couple of different ways, depending on where your water comes from.
If you live in a large city or suburban area, much of the ground outside is likely paved by streets and sidewalks. Water cannot absorb into these surfaces, so it flows over them until it finds a storm drain, picking up contaminants along the way. This water is eventually dumped into a nearby water supply. If your city’s source water is connected to one of the water supplies where storm water is dumped, or if a storm drain is damaged in some way, the contaminants in the runoff can get into your home’s tap water.
If you live in a rural area, storm runoff will flow over the fields and hills that surround your property. Some of that runoff will seep into the ground above private wells, which can contaminate the water below. This is especially problematic if you live near a farm or industrial plant, because storm runoff tends to pick up chemicals and bacteria from agricultural and industrial activities.
Contaminants that get picked up by storm runoff
Some of the contaminants that are often picked up by storm runoff include:
- Sediment from streets, sidewalks and soil
- Oil and grease from cars on the road
- Chemicals from industrial plants, fertilizers and pesticides
- Viruses and bacteria from animal waste
- Salts applied to the road when it snows
Install a water treatment system to protect your water from storm runoff
Your water quality shouldn’t depend on the weather conditions outside. By installing a water treatment system in your home, you can ensure that the quality of your home’s tap water remains consistent during rain or shine. Contact McBride’s today to have your water tested so that we can determine which contaminants your water contains and help you choose the right system to address your home’s specific problems.
If you have any questions about how storm runoff can affect your water quality, of if you’d like a water system serviced or installed in your home, contact McBride’s Water Advantage, your water softener and water filtration system dealer in Epsom, NH. We provide service all over New Hampshire, including towns like Loudon, Canterbury and Epping, NH.
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