The Importance Of Clean Water On Family Boating Adventures

When you head out on your boat for a family trip, you know you can’t wait to see the clear, shining surface of the water. If it’s full of garbage, fuel, or chemicals, you won’t have nearly as much fun. Keeping water clean is vital for everyone’s enjoyment, as well as for the health of marine life and the environment. With this guide, you’ll understand the ways that community water sources affect your health, as well as a few things you can do to be a responsible environmental steward.

Why Water Quality Matters

Everyone plays a role in keeping community waters clean and safe for use. When you take your boat out, you’ll have a better time if you know that the water isn’t polluted by trash, oil, or chemicals. Of course, the fish and other marine life also rely on the water to be safe for their consumption. And as those waters eventually make their way to your home and community, it’s best to reduce the amount of contaminants that your reverse osmosis systems have to deal with.

How to Help Keep Public Waters Clean

If you want to help keep community water sources clean, there’s plenty you can do. Follow these tips to ensure your next boating adventure provides only enjoyment instead of hazards.

Follow recommended guidelines

Pretty much every waterway has public or private management and a set of rules to go with it. These might include keeping to a certain speed within a specified distance from the shore, cleaning your boat of invasive mussels before you enter the water, or being cautious about where and how you refuel. Follow these guidelines, even if you don’t understand why they exist. Many of these rules help to keep you safe or reduce contamination from fuels, oils, and debris.

Prevent pollution from fuel and waste

Inspect your boat for any fuel or oil leaks before launching. Even small spills can spread across the surface and harm wildlife. Avoid dumping or rinsing any substances into the water, and dispose of them properly once you’re back on shore. Keeping fuel and chemicals contained helps maintain clear, healthy waterways.

Minimize risk of contamination

Even if everyone in attendance is feeling in perfect health, you still have to take steps to avoid contaminating the water. When you pack up your gear for the outing, especially meals and snacks, make sure you have a place to put excess packaging and other waste. Secure all trash and recycling so nothing blows overboard or ends up in the water. 

Play sensibly on the shore

Since many boat adventures involve some time spent on the shore, you should take care to keep the areas you use neat and clean:

• Place waste in a garbage can or tie it up in a bag to take with you.
• Avoid pouring out substances next to rivers or streams.
• Encourage your children to play safely, but do not allow them to destroy natural features.

Be sure to pay attention for wildlife and leave their nests or other living spaces untouched.

Dispose of substances properly

Every substance that you bring on the boat, from the fuel and oil in the equipment to the drinks you bought for the hot day, should go back with you. Avoid dumping fuel or oil in the water, even when you have excess. If you have a leak in the boat, address it before you bring it in the water. When you have any drinks you do not want to consume, bring them back to the shore and dispose of them in appropriate waste facilities. Proper disposal helps prevent pollution and keeps surface waters looking clean and clear.

Having a wonderful boating trip involves thinking about how you can keep the area clean and safe for families just like yours. With an understanding of the importance of clean water, you can reduce waste, avoid contamination, and help prevent pollution that harms wildlife and water quality.

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