It covers 70% of the Earth, makes up about 60% of the human body and is the foundation of life for almost all living things. What is it? You guessed it: water. Water is vital to our existence and to our wellbeing, but in recent decades pollution and other harmful practices have consistently damaged the water we live by, drink and cook with.

Needless to say, clean water is important. During a month when everyone is out enjoying lakes, rivers, oceans and having tall glasses of ice-cold water, it becomes even more apparent how important quality water is. This August, we celebrate National Water Quality Month. How can you have an impact on water quality? We’ve got some ideas for the role you play in making a difference.

Avoid flushing medications.

Avoid flushing any old or unused medications down your toilet at home or down the sink. Pipes can lead back into a general water source which then gets contaminated with your medication.

Don’t hose off the driveway.

Always sweep your driveway to keep it clean, rather than hosing it off. When washing your car, use a commercial car wash whenever possible rather than doing it yourself at home. When chemicals run down your driveway into the storm drain they flow directly into lakes and streams.

Pick up after your pooch.

Seriously, people. When it rains, that water picks up poop particles from your pooch and can then go into different water systems. We can speak for everybody when we say that nobody wants that!

Watch out for litter.

We all know to avoid littering, but go a step further and keep an eye out for any litter wherever you go. Whenever possible, pick it up and put it in the proper disposable bin.

Stop overusing chemicals.

Pesticides and fertilizers can have a proper use, but avoid overusing them whenever possible. The chemicals can travel through runoff water and soil, thus contaminating groundwater.

Stay phosphate-free.

Help save our lakes and rivers by choosing nontoxic household products, and using phosphate-free items like detergent.

Join a cleanup project.

If you want to go a step beyond preventative care, be proactive by joining a local or national clean up project that works on our beaches, streams or wetlands. Many governmental or nonprofit organizations often have events or projects that focus on enhancing the quality of local water sources. See how you can get involved and give back to make sure that your and everyone’s water is clean.

Educate yourself.

Finally, take some time this month to educate yourself on what’s actually in your water, the quality of your water and how it can further be improved. Knowledge is power, and the more knowledgeable you are, the more you can make a difference.

Water sustains life. Therefore, it’s vitally important to all of us. This August, celebrate National Water Quality Month by being aware of your water habits and taking steps to ensure clean water for everyone. When we have clean water, we can lead satisfying lives.