One of the biggest threats to the quality of our drinking water here in the Carolinas is our nation’s aging water infrastructure. Today we’re going to talk about the problems our country’s water infrastructure faces and what it means for the quality of the water in your home!
Why we have an aging water infrastructure
Much of our nation’s water infrastructure was built over a century ago, with some areas having water systems that are over 200 years old! As a result, major updates are needed all over the country to pipes, treatment plants and the systems that provide water to our homes.
These aging water systems are starting to take their toll. According to the EPA, there are approximately 240,000 water main breaks across the country every year due to deteriorating pipes. In order to prevent problems like these, more than 1 million miles of pipes need to be replaced.
According to the American Water Works Association, restoring water systems and expanding them to serve growing populations will require at least $1 trillion over the next 25 years. If we don’t come up with the money for these fixes, the problems will just continue to get worse.
How our aging water infrastructure affects your home’s water quality
So what does all of this mean for you? If our nation’s water infrastructure isn’t updated, it can have major effects on the quality of the water in your home. In fact, your home might already be affected by outdated water systems in your area.
Water main breaks are one of the biggest problems associated with our aging water infrastructure. When a water main breaks, it allows dangerous pollutants to seep into our water supplies. The New York Times estimates that 20 million people become ill each year from drinking water that contains bacteria and other pathogens that are often spread by untreated waste.
In addition, deteriorating pipes allow sediment and other contaminants to leech into water as it travels to your home. This water will have already been sent through your local water treatment plant, so those contaminants will still be present in the water that flows from your taps.
Although there’s not much you can do to improve the water infrastructure in your area, you can ensure that you have clean water in your home by installing a water treatment system. A water filter will remove any sediment or contaminants that entered your water due to your city’s aging water infrastructure and ensure that you get clean and safe water out of every tap.
If you have any questions about the effects our country’s aging water infrastructure has on your home’s tap water, or if you’d like a water filtration system serviced or installed in your home, contact North Carolina Water Consultants. We’re the number one Hague dealer in the Carolinas.