Most people in North
America get their water from a public water utility. Public utilities are
companies or government agencies that supply needs such as electricity, gas
or water to the public. Water utilities get their water from rivers, lakes,
reservoirs, or underground aquifers. Often, the water must be treated to
make it safe to drink.
We reuse the same
water over and over and it can become polluted by people and industry. Even
deep underground aquifers can be polluted from the surface. For example,
many household items such as car wax, spot remover or floor polish, should
not be poured down the drain or thrown out in the trash. Even lawn chemicals
and other garden toxins used outdoors can contaminate water sources by
running off the land into storm drains. And water can end up in lakes and
rivers.
