by Lyn Ross

The Lower Mainland is surrounded by breathtaking natural aquatic beauty, which residents appreciate and protect. Unfortunately, we are unintentionally producing an unnecessary amount of soap residue, which ends up in our local waterways and ecosystems. More correctly called surfactants, their toxic presence leads to environmental degradation. The solution is surprisingly simple: use less soap and at the same time stop wasting your money.
The local soft water situation, insufficient labels on packaging and lack of public education greatly exacerbate the problem. Unique to the Lower Mainland, our mountain-sourced water supply, which is much softer than almost anywhere else in the country, needs much-reduced amounts of these surfactants for cleaning.
To put this into perspective, the majority of large cities across Canada have water that contains 80 to 123mg/L of various minerals such as calcium and magnesium, compared to only 3mg/L locally. Surfactants, whether chemically produced or naturally derived, overcome water hardness by reducing surface tension and attracting, loosening and holding dirt in suspension until it can be rinsed away.
Essentially, surfactants are the active “sudsy” cleaning ingredient contained in all (conventional and natural) laundry detergents, soaps, personal and household cleaning products, even toothpaste, and the majority of these products are formulated for use in medium to hard water.
In comparison, because our soft water works better, the surfactants don’t have to, which means there is a substantial amount of residual soap left over after the wash cycle or cleaning process is complete. And, you guessed it; it ends up in your clothes, on your skin, down the drain or directly in the local waterways, with a negative impact on the survivability of fish and other aquatic life, even though surfactants are all biodegradable.
Unless otherwise specified, the directions on most personal and household cleaners are written for average water conditions across the country, for water that is, on average, much harder than ours. Have you ever noticed how well soap lathers in the Lower Mainland? Or how clothes quickly discolour or occasionally end up with a white residue? Or why your skin, and your dog’s skin is itchy? Perhaps you have had the dishwasher serviced twice this year. An excess of surfactants is likely the reason. So, what can you do?
Unless the detergent, soap, shampoo or similar cleaning product is specifically designed and/or indicates a measured amount for soft water application, you are using too much. In the Lower Mainland, you can use a lot less than what the manufacturer recommends. Experiment. Whether using powder or liquid, concentrated or regular, natural or conventional, try using half as much as recommended and adjust from there. See how little you really need to get the desired results.
The benefits come out in the wash. By simply reducing the quantity of personal or household cleaning product you use per application, you’ll reduce your expenses by 50 percent or more.
Your clothes will look brighter and last longer. Your appliances will last longer and require less maintenance. Irritation of your skin associated with excess surfactants will be reduced or eliminated. The waste-water treatment plants will not be burdened by dealing with unnecessary, excessive levels of surfactants. Fish and other organisms in our waterways will be thankful too.

Lyn Ross is community services coordinator for the business and community services division at the Greater Vancouver Regional District.

Doing the same with less
As part of the Sustainable Region Initiative (SRI), the Greater Vancouver Regional District is working to inform Lower Mainland residents about this unique feature of our water supply and how they can personally benefit, live healthier lives and help protect the natural beauty that surrounds us. For more, contact the GVRD information centre at 604-432-6200 or visit www.gvrd.bc.ca or www.georgiastrait.org

Were you aware?
If it generates suds, it contains surfactants. Whether the personal or household cleaning products you use are organic or chemically manufactured, they all contain biodegradable surfactants as the essential cleaning agent. With our very soft water in the Lower Mainland, we can use far less than what the manufacturer recommends and still obtain the cleaning results we desire.

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