When we think about the effects of climate change, we often think about rising temperatures, stronger storms, droughts, and wildfires, but another important piece of the conversation is water quality.
These climate changes can affect the quality of the water entering our rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and groundwater supplies, create new challenges for water treatment systems, and influence what ultimately comes out of the tap in our homes.
That doesn't mean your tap or shower water is suddenly unsafe. Municipal water is treated and regulated to meet safety standards.
So, how does climate change affect water quality? It's worth understanding what may be present in household water and where filtration fits into the picture.
How Does Climate Change Affect Water Quality?
Climate change can affect water quality in several ways. Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, drought, flooding, and wildfires can change conditions around our water sources. As these environmental changes become more common, they can influence what ends up in the water we rely on every day.
1. Extreme Rainfall Increases Water Contaminants
Heavy rainfall creates more runoff, carrying pollutants from roads, agriculture, lawns, and industrial areas into nearby bodies of water.
This runoff can carry:
Sediment
Fertilizers
Pesticides
Bacteria
As extreme precipitation events become more common in some areas, water treatment systems may face additional challenges in managing these sudden changes in source-water quality.
2. Flooding Affects Water Treatment
Flooding can overwhelm wastewater systems, damage water infrastructure, and wash contaminants into water sources.
Floodwaters could carry these pollutants into rivers, groundwater, and reservoirs:
Sewage
Chemicals
Bacteria
Sediment
Even when drinking water remains safe, floods can put additional pressure on treatment systems and affect the overall quality and characteristics of the water entering the system.
3. Droughts Change the Concentration of Contaminants
Droughts affect water quality differently. When water levels drop, less water is available to dilute naturally occurring substances and pollutants, such as calcium, fluoride, and iron.
Drought can also put additional pressure on groundwater supplies and cause communities to rely more heavily on alternative or less-used water sources, making water management increasingly important.
4. Warmer Temperatures Promote Algae Growth
As water temperatures rise, conditions can spur algae growth. Some algae produce toxins that affect aquatic ecosystems and create challenges for drinking water treatment.
Warmer water can also affect other aspects of water chemistry and microbial activity, making temperature an important factor in maintaining water quality.
5. Wildfires Affect Water Quality Long After the Fire
Increasing global temperatures mean a higher risk of wildfires, which can affect nearby water sources even after the fire has been contained. When vegetation is burned away, soil doesn’t have anything holding it in place. This allows any amount of rain and snowmelt to wash ash, sediment, nutrients, and other materials into rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. It gets even worse if there’s significant rainfall following a major fire.
Wildfires increase sediment and contaminants in source water and create additional challenges for water treatment.
6. Climate Change Affects Naturally Occurring Contaminants
Climate-related changes can also influence substances that naturally occur in water. Shifts in precipitation, groundwater levels, temperature, and water chemistry may affect how certain minerals, metals, and other naturally occurring substances move through the environment.
The specific impact varies by region and water source, which is why understanding your local water quality is helpful. Don’t assume climate change affects every water supply the same way.
What Does This Mean for Your Shower Water?
Climate change doesn't mean your shower water is unsafe, but changes in water quality can affect what comes through your home's plumbing. When extreme weather or natural disasters affect a community's water source, treatment facilities may have to manage higher levels of sediment, organic matter, minerals, or other substances.
The water can also pick up additional materials as it travels through aging or corroded pipes. While municipal treatment is designed to make water safe for its intended use, it doesn't necessarily remove every substance you may want to reduce from your household water.
What Can Be in Your Shower Water?
Checking your local water quality report can help you understand what's in your water and whether additional filtration is worth considering.
Sediment or water-quality factors you may find in your local water quality report:
Chlorine used for water disinfection
Turbidity, which can indicate suspended particles such as soil, clay, or sediment
Iron and manganese, which can occur naturally or result from corrosion
Algae or microorganisms, particularly in reports discussing source-water quality
Hard-water minerals, such as calcium and magnesium
Can a Shower Filter Help?
A shower filter can provide an additional layer of filtration between your home's water supply and the water coming through your showerhead. The Weddell Duo is designed to help reduce substances such as chlorine, lead, VOCs, and PFAS.
If you're concerned about the quality, smell, or feel of your shower water, the Weddell Duo is a great solution.
How to Be More Proactive About Your Water Quality
You don't have to wait until you notice a problem with your water to start paying attention to its quality. It’s worth understanding what’s coming out of your faucet.
Check Your Local Water Quality Report: This report tells you where your water comes from and provides information about contaminants and other substances detected in the community's water supply.
Consider Your Home's Plumbing: The condition and age of your home's plumbing can affect water quality, as pipes and fixtures may introduce sediment, metals, or other materials into your water.
Filter Based on Your Actual Water Concerns: Identify the substances you want to reduce, then choose a filter specifically tested or certified to address them.
Your Water Quality Is Changing From Climate Change
Climate change is creating new challenges for water systems, affecting the quality of our water sources and making water treatment more complicated.
That doesn't mean you need to worry every time you turn on your shower. It's a good reminder to understand what's in your local water and make filtration decisions based on your actual water quality and needs.
A shower filter can't solve every water-quality issue, but if you want to take an extra step to improve the water coming through your shower, the right filter can be a simple place to start.
