By Khuan Duong and Vi Lam
October 2025 | 2025 Fall Newsletter
Have you ever wondered where your tap water originates from and why it’s essential to help keep it free of chemicals and germs? You can get your tap water from:
- Groundwater from basins or aquifers
- Water that had been recycled
- Lake, river, or reservoir surface water
- Rainwater
People may contract diarrhea-causing Giardia or norovirus, depending on the germ. Radon, which can cause lung cancer, is one of the pollutants that can enter our tap water. Water quality can be impacted by the decisions and activities we make every day.
Safeguard the water supply in your area by:
- Discard unused medicines properly. Many pharmacies, fire and police stations have permanent drug disposal boxes
- Use fertilizer responsibly to avoid excessive nutrients from washing into the treated water supply
- Avoid washing your car at home if the area can’t drain to the lawn or a gravel area. Instead, take it to a car wash, where they are equipped to carry the dirty water to a wastewater treatment plant
- Take unused motor oil or antifreeze to service or recycling centers for safe disposal.
For more information on drinking water and safe practices, visit cdc.gov/drinking-water/index.html. If you are interested in learning how water purification processes work, schedule a live or virtual tour at the Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center by visiting purewater4u.org/sign-up-for-a-free-tour.