National Water Quality Month
Can you imagine turning on your tap and not knowing whether the water was safe to drink?
For many of us, clean drinking water is something we rarely have to think about. It's there when we need it for drinking, cooking, bathing, watering our gardens, and enjoying our favorite outdoor activities. But clean water doesn't happen by accident. It takes ongoing care, responsible stewardship, and a shared commitment to protecting the resources we all depend on.
Water is essential to our health, our food supply, recreation, local economies, and the natural ecosystems that make Kitsap County such a special place to live.
The work to protect our nation's water is rooted in two landmark laws that continue to guide water quality standards today.
The Clean Water Act, passed in 1972, established a framework for reducing pollution in the nation's rivers, lakes, streams, and other surface waters by regulating the discharge of pollutants into those waters.
Just two years later, the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 established standards to protect public drinking water systems and the quality of groundwater sources. These laws form the foundation of the work public water providers like KPUD do every day to monitor water quality, protect drinking water sources, and provide safe, reliable water to the communities we serve.
National Water Quality Month, observed each August since 2005, encourages communities to learn about water quality, reduce pollution, and take simple actions that protect our water resources. More than two decades later, the message is just as important as ever.
Throughout August, KPUD will be sharing information about where your water comes from, how it's protected, and simple ways you can help conserve and protect this essential resource.
Why Water Quality Matters
Water is one of our most valuable natural resources. It supports public health, agriculture, local businesses, recreation, and the fish and wildlife that make our region unique. When pollutants enter our waterways or groundwater, they can affect drinking water supplies, aquatic habitats, and the health of our communities.
While water covers more than 70% of Earth's surface, only about 1% of the world's freshwater is readily available for human use. That small percentage includes the lakes, rivers, groundwater, aquifers, and streams that supply communities around the world with fresh water.
Globally, nearly 2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water. While we are fortunate to enjoy high-quality drinking water here in Kitsap County, protecting our local water resources today helps ensure they remain safe and reliable for future generations.
Where Does Your Water Come From?
Most of the drinking water supplied by KPUD comes from groundwater stored in underground aquifers. These natural formations provide clean, reliable drinking water for thousands of customers throughout Kitsap County. Because groundwater is replenished by rainfall, protecting the land above these aquifers and preventing pollution from reaching them is essential to maintaining water quality.
How You Can Help Protect Water Quality
Protecting water quality is a shared responsibility. Small actions taken at home and in our communities can make a lasting difference.
You can help by:
- Properly disposing of household chemicals, paint, oil, and medications.
- Picking up pet waste before it washes into storm drains and waterways.
- Using fertilizers and pesticides sparingly and according to label directions.
- Maintaining your septic system if your home is not connected to a sewer system.
- Conserving water, especially during the summer months, to help protect our shared water resources.
At KPUD, we're committed to protecting the quality of your drinking water through routine testing, infrastructure maintenance, source water protection, and responsible water management. Together, we can help ensure clean, safe water remains available for our community today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.