THE CHEMIST (e.g. May. 2014) | Page 6

AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS:

Caring water, a vital resource

Domestic uses of water and its disposal to drainage

Of course some of the most important uses for water are at our homes. Domestic water use is water used for indoor and outdoor household purposes— all the things you do at home: drinking, preparing food, bathing, washing clothes and dishes, brushing your teeth, watering the yard and garden, and even washing the dog.

An uncovered system of channels that picks up wastewater flows from individual households and conveys them to a disposal/reuse point. Drains may be unlined but perform better and are more easily maintained if lined with either brick, mortar, or concrete. In addition to wastewater, most open drainage systems carry storm water run-off although they may not be designed to allow for peak run-off flows.

Major domestic uses of water: The major domestic uses of water includes: Drinking, preparing food, bathing, washing clothes and dishes, brushing your teeth, watering the yard and garden, and even washing the dog.

Household products in water pollution: Households too contribute to water pollution. For example, households are one of the main sources of water pollution by sewage and chemicals (e.g. found in conventional cleaning liquids, pesticides, etc). Households with gardens that make use of fertilizers can also contribute to water pollution. Household cleaners and chemicals can pollute. Cleaners and chemicals used or disposed of outside can end up in our streams and bays.