Clean drinking water is a basic right, right?

I just listened to journalist Charles Duhigg, report on the "worsening pollution in American waters" — and regulators' responses to the problem on NPR.

It is an interesting and informative interview on the breakdown of the changing nature of water pollution.

He reported on many current issues concerning drinking water. I know the Water Wise Guy team blogged on the New York Times "Toxic Waters" section previously, however the interest in toxic drinking water is still incredibly high. The following issues he reported on are worth noting:

• 1 in 10 Americans have been exposed to drinking contaminated water-- water that contains dangerous chemicals, parasites, bacteria or viruses, or fails to meet federal health standards.
• Unknowingly drinking toxic water causes chemicals to accumulate in the cells of your body— and can take years for anything to show, eventually becoming a cancer.
• Millions of gallons of cow manure waste acts as fertilizer, but if the amounts are excessive, bacteria and chemicals can flow into the ground and contaminate residents’ tap water. In a small farm town in Wisconsin, more than 100 wells were polluted by agricultural runoff.

Duhigg doesn't provide easy answers, but does give us a better idea of what questions we should be asking.

Another reminder to be proactive about drinking water for you and your family.

How Hard Water Destroys Household Appliances

Recently, the results of a major study by the Water Quality Association (WQA) and the Batelle Memorial Institute demonstrated the destructive effects untreated hard water has on home showerheads, in some cases rendering them inoperable after only 18 months of regular use.

“After just one week of constant testing with hard water, more than three-fourths of showerhead nozzles became clogged,” according to WQA laboratory results.

Meanwhile, showerheads in homes using water softeners performed as well as the day of installation.

There are two options available for people looking to keep their showers intact. First off, every couple weeks you can use a toothpick, vinegar, and a heavy duty plastic bag to unclog the showerhead. That sounds like alot of fun.

Secondly, you can install a water softener, which will also help solve the problems hard water creates throughout the entire house.

While this particular study focused on the showerhead region, Culligan water consultants are quick to point out conditioned water affects everything from the water heater to the washing machine to the dishwasher. Surface spots and stains, as well as bad-smelling water, can all be byproducts of hard water. Contact your local Culligan dealer if you notice these water issues around your own home.

In addition to showerheads, the WQA and the Batelle Memorial Institute are studying the effects hard water has on other household appliances. For more information on the Water Quality Association’s study and ongoing research, please visit www.wqa.org.