Groundwater Contamination in Perth – What You Need to Know

What is Groundwater Contamination – Perth

Groundwater contamination happens when the water in the ground (usually used as a sources of drinking water) is contaminated by something of human origin. These include fuel, fertilizer, bacteria, viruses and chemicals – among others. Groundwater forms when water from lakes, rivers and snow run underground and becomes stored there. When groundwater becomes large enough to supply a community’s consumption, it becomes an aquafier. There are generally two types of aquafiers which are the confined and unconfined. A confined aquafier is surrounded by rock while an unconfined aquafier is surrounded by permeanble materials, therefore putting it at risk of contamination.

Health Risks of Groundwater Contamination in Perth

Groundwater contamination in Perth will have the same results with groundwater contamination in other parts of the world. Groundwater contamination in Perth presents health risks such as kidney damage if, for instance, the water was exposed to heavy lead and chromium exposure. Arsenic, when it finds its way to groundwater under chemical form, can cause skin, bladder and lung cancer. Contaminated water will also easily cause diarrhea and nausea as well as vomiting. The biggest concern with groundwater contamination in Perth as well as other cities is that kids, since they have weaker immune systems than adults, are more prone to sickness.

Groundwater Contamination in Perth – How to Prevent it

Groundwater contamination in Perth and other cities can actually be prevented from happening. As a part of the community, you can start by practicing proper waste disposal at home. Involve your family by buying products that you can actually recycle instead of just throwing them in the trash after use. If you are using pesticides in your garden, use the less toxic alternatives. This is important since pesticides can actually be absorbed by the soil and it may deposit it into the groundwater below. Have your septic tanks inspected. Poorly installed septic tanks are one of the causes of groundwater contamination. Also make sure to never throw any chemicals into the tank. Businesses that are into agriculture should also practice employing crop and soil management. This include proper planting, enhancing organic matters and having a good irrigation and drainage system. They should also make sure to apply pesticides exactly as instructed by the manufacturer to minimize the chances of having the pesticides get into the soil.