Do you want to do your part to help the planet? Do you already recycle and compost but are looking for other ways you can help? Maybe you should start thinking about protecting water sources. You might not realize this, but water is a finite resource. Depending on what it gets polluted with, it isn’t always cleanable. Additionally, with the earth’s temperatures heating up, more water evaporates and turns into gas. While some of it does come back down as rainfall, not all of it does. Water is a valuable resource, and here are some ways that you can help it protect it.

Dispose of Hazardous Waste Properly

If not disposed of correctly, hazardous waste can seep into the soil and contaminate the groundwater. This also happens with items thrown into a landfill. If you have motor oil, paint or harsh household cleaners, call your local recycling center and ask how you should dispose of them in your area.

Another hazardous material that should be properly disposed of is medicine. You likely often hear about people dumping old medicine in the toilet. Doing so is not a good idea. The medicine dissolves in the water and contaminates it, and wastewater treatment companies aren’t always able to treat it effectively.

Avoid Antibacterial Products

While often thought of as a superior product, regularly using antibacterial products can be not only harmful to your body but also aquatic life. Antibacterial soaps and detergents usually contain triclosan, a pesticide that is potentially harmful to sea life. Ordinary soaps do just as good a job cleaning and don’t do the same level of harm.

Be Mindful of Storm Drains

Storm drains collect water runoff and drain it in local waterways. The waterways could be rivers, lakes, or oceans. Because of this, it is important to be mindful of what goes down them. If you have oil leaks, pesticides or other harmful chemicals on your lawn or around your house, they could get washed down the drains. To avoid surface runoff, it is helpful to use natural, organic products whenever possible.