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The water we drink usually comes from reservoirs, lakes, or rivers. A large number of cities uses river water and
dumps it back into the river. Sometimes another city downstream uses the same water. This water may be badly
polluted with chemicals and pathogenic bacteria_ Many differenl chemical treatments are necessary to make it safe
and palatable.
Many communities add some form of fluorine to their water. Fluorine in concentrations of 0.7 to 1.0 ppm (parts per
million) can significantly reduce IOOlh decay in children.
Smaller communities usually obtain water from wells. Even they have problems because sometimes the ground water
is contaminated by nitrates. These nitrates come from agricultural fertilizers and from the decomposition of organic
waste.
What can we do? We can fight for clear water and convince our neighbors to do the same. We can demand an end to
water pollution by industries and cities. And, finally, we must know how to use the water of the earth because that is all
the water we have.