How does litter affect drinking water?

* Leaching of chemicals: Litter can contain a variety of chemicals, including heavy metals, pesticides, and fertilizers. These chemicals can leach into the soil and groundwater, contaminating drinking water sources.

* Clogging of waterways: Litter can clog storm drains and culverts, causing water to back up and flood. This can contaminate drinking water sources by allowing raw sewage and other pollutants to enter the water supply.

* Habitat destruction: Litter can also damage the habitats of aquatic plants and animals, including those that are important for filtering and purifying water. This can lead to a decrease in the overall quality of drinking water.

* Aesthetics: Finally, litter can also make drinking water sources look unsightly and unappealing. This can discourage people from drinking water from these sources, leading to dehydration and other health problems.

In short, litter has a number of negative impacts on drinking water. It is important to properly dispose of litter to protect drinking water sources and human health.