Homes contribute to 50 percent more water pollution than previously believed

Washington, August 20 (ANI): A new study has determined that homes are an alarming and probably underestimated source of water pollution, and can contribute to 50 percent more water pollution than previously believed.

Scientists Lorence Oki, Darren Haver and colleagues carried out the study.

In the study, the research team explains that runoff results from rainfall and watering of lawns and gardens, which winds up in municipal storm drains.

The runoff washes fertilizers, pesticides and other contaminants into storm drains, and they eventually appear in rivers, lakes and other bodies of water.

"Results from our sampling and monitoring study revealed high detection frequencies of pollutants such as pesticides and pathogen indicators at all sites," Oki said of their study of eight residential areas in Sacramento and Orange Counties in California.

Preliminary results of the study suggest that current models may underestimate the amount of pollution contributed by homes by up to 50 percent.

That's because past estimates focused on rain-based runoff during the wet season.

"Use of pesticides, however, increases noticeably during the dry season due to gardening, and our data contains greater resolution than previous studies," Oki said.

Pollutants detected in outdoor runoff included ant-control pesticide products.

Previous surveys have shown that the majority of pesticides purchased by homeowners are used to control ants.

To encourage pollutant reduction, the researchers initiated community outreach programs centered on improving both irrigation control and pest management. (ANI)