According to data collected over almost three decades, the North Carolina Piedmont receives an average of 47.3 inches of rain annually, spread across roughly 114 days of the year. That’s a pretty significant rainy season. The rainfall absorbs and collects most anything it touches before being absorbed into the earth. Any water that does not seep into the earth runs downhill along the surface of the ground, eventually gathering in a common area. These pop-up streams of water flow into more substantial creeks, which ultimately lead to rivers, lakes, and the ocean.

All that being said, water pollution is relatively easy to come by. It’s easy to leave potential contaminants out in the open. It’s easy to clean the machinery every other time it enters or exits a site. It’s easy to ignore runoff and let the contaminated water filter into nearby streams. Fortunately, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has regulations in place to prevent this from happening.

The EPA is responsible for protecting the environment against the byproducts of human practices. This includes water pollution, air pollution, soil pollution, and any other harmful industry processes that may inadvertently damage the surrounding area. Not only does strict regulation benefit the natural environment, but it preserves the health and safety of residents as well.

Water pollution is particularly problematic in industries such as farming, mining, and construction. Rainwater runoff pollutes the streams, which can seep into the ground or gather in larger bodies of water. This is dangerous to the local population. Freshwater organisms may be unable to live in or around such polluted waters, and drinking water may become contaminated over time.

Consider farming or mining equipment. Both industries utilize certain chemicals to accomplish their work, many of which may be toxic to the environment if released beyond the border of the worksite. If these vehicles are not cleaned upon exit or before moving to another area, the risk of spreading these toxic chemicals increases. The chemicals sit on the surface of the ground or cling to the vehicle’s tires, until the rain comes and carries them away to the nearest stream. Unintentional as it may often be, water pollution is a serious problem with potentially severe consequences.

Hence, it’s essential that you keep your equipment clean, regardless of what industry you’re in. Manual cleaning can be time-consuming and less than thorough, but Neptune Wash Solutions offers wheel wash systems that make the task easy, efficient, and effective. Keep your tires, wheel wells, and undercarriage sparkling clean with one of our customizable drive-through wash stations. Prevent water pollution on your site; contact your local dealer today to learn more!