Environmental Working Group has a report up on the toxins coming out of the tap. (hat tip to common dreams).

Even in Silent Spring, Rachel Carson put forth the idea that science could “correct” the mistakes made with the science of chemical pollution…so it’s depressing, but not out of character for science to combat water pollution with…more chemicals.  Chlorine is a poison (so is fluoride, but that’s for another blog).

Again, nature does it best with natural water filtration.  Here is a report on natural swimming pools–water filtration is by the same idea–using plants and stones for the water to naturally detoxify itself.

More here.  Aren’t these beautiful to look at as well as functional?  Here’s more from Australia…crikey, they’re all over the place!

Here’s a site explaining natural water filtration in a teaching mode.  It lays it out on how our zeal to tear down trees and pave the landscape has greatly interfered with the natural way of water filtration.  It touches on the importance of beaver dams–how they were destroyed because they were implicated in floods, but they were actually contributing positively by aiding water filtration–another myopic view by scientists who didn’t understand the “orchestra” of nature.  And who would have thought that flies have a positive impact?  Not I.

And here is a site on filtering water for yourself (I’m not linking to it for obvious reasons):  wilderness-survival-skills.com/how-to-make-a-water-filter.html

Finally, there’s this– an innovative showering system.  Makes me smile–I’d feel like I were showering in a jungle, but what the hey.  I’d think I’d rather go for a swim in the natural pool.  Also, this would make more sense if you’re using a biodegradable soap, such as Dr. Bronner’s. 

Lastly, all of this that benefits us also benefits the animals that inhabit this place with us.