Are There Pesticides in Drinking Water?
Pests are a big problem in Florida. Thanks to the warm weather, pests such as spiders, ants, and roaches can thrive. Residents may turn to many pest control methods, including pesticides, to control these bugs. While pesticides kill bugs, these chemicals can sometimes get into drinking water and harm human health.
Where Drinking Water Comes From
In the United States, drinking water comes from two main sources: surface water and groundwater. Surface water includes lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. Groundwater is found in underground areas known as aquifers.
In urban areas such as Orlando, surface and groundwater are sent to water treatment plants. After being treated, the water travels through the municipal pipes to get to homes and businesses.
In rural areas, people may get their water from wells drilled into aquifers. Usually, this well water isn’t treated.
How Pesticides Get into Water
There are a few ways pesticides can get into the water supply. If pesticides are sprayed on plants, the chemicals can be washed into surface water sources when it rains. That’s why you shouldn’t spray pesticides on your lawn when rain is forecast. Spills can also allow pesticides to contaminate water, so always use caution when handling pesticides. If you’re not confident using them safely, get help from the professionals at Apex.
Improper disposal of pesticides is another way water can be contaminated. Sometimes, people will illegally dump pesticides down the drain to dispose of them. To protect the water supply, pesticides should always be taken to a hazardous waste disposal site.
Testing Water Safety
Public water supplies are routinely tested for many contaminants, including pesticides. Information about these tests is available from your local water utility.
Users of private wells are responsible for their own water testing. To check for pesticide contamination, well users should have their water tested by a certified laboratory. Contact your local county health department for more information about these tests.
Pesticides are an important asset in the fight against unwanted pests, but they don’t belong in the water supply. If you use pesticides for Orlando pest control, take precautions to keep those chemicals out of the water.
