If I throw trash on the ground, how does it end up in our drinking water?

Question

If I throw trash on the ground, how does it end up in our drinking water?

Answer 1

the rain washes it in the gutters the gutters go to the drainage systems ,

the dranage systems go to the water flows ,

the water flows lead in to the rivers and lakes and water reservoirs ,

the drinking water is purified water from the rivers,lakes and water reservoirs

Answer 2

It doesn't but it does look unsightly, that is one battle I believe is worth fighting over and will go to blows if I see people leaving garbage at the river or beach, it just arrogant and beside the world is not any-ones personal garbage dump.

Answer 3

Most things that you would throw on the ground break down.  For example, plastics ultimately break down into their chemical components, one of which is arsenic.  These things end up in your water supply because the chemicals are then washed away by rain water.

Answer 4

Believe it or not water has power behind it.  Understand Osmosis and how water behaves.  We have drains, drains that lead either into lakes or into the ocean.  Not to mention wind can also move trash elsewhere.

Answer 5

Drinking water comes from lakes, reservoirs, rivers, wells. If trash contains toxic chemical and it's carried into those waters or into the soil you can pollute the water.

Answer 6

First of all stop throwing your trash on the ground....

What is on the ground can wash down sewers and also creep in to ground water supplies.   So I guess don't throw trash you don't want to end up drinking later.

by the way - if you see trash pick it up and dispose of it (I carry a bag in my car just for this purpose)...and if you see someone throw trash remind them that they dropped something.....