WATER POLLUTION
When something is added to the environment that makes it
unclean or unsafe it is called pollution. Water
Pollution occurs when the water becomes overloaded
with too much of one thing and the aquatic organisms
cannot keep up with their cleaning responsibilities.
Water pollution is caused by emission of domestic or urban sewage, agricultural waste, pollutants and industrial effluents into water bodies.
Common problems often occur with drinking water, pond water and swimming pool water.
Drinking water can become contaminated with many different substances that can harm human health and change the color or odor of the water.
What you can do.....
- Be aware that many chemicals commonly used around the home are toxic. Select less-toxic alternatives. Use non-toxic substitutes wherever possible.
- Buy chemicals only in the amount you expect to use, and apply them only as directed. More is not better.
- When landscaping your yard, select plants that have low requirements for water, fertilizers and pesticides.
- Use low-flow faucets, shower heads, reduced-flow toilet flushing equipment, and water-saving appliances such as dish- and clothes washers
- Repair leaking faucets, toilets and pumps
- Clean up after your pets.
- Pet waste contains nutrients and pathogens that can contaminate surface water.
Agricultural Water Pollution
Agriculture is one of the leading causes of water pollution in the United States. Farms exercise little restraint when it comes to water usage....- they tend to waste large quantities of water
- pollution results from the storage and disposal of animal waste
- In order to dispose of manure after it’s been stored in lagoons, industrial farms spray the waste onto farm fields as fertilizer.
- Unfortunately, these farms produce far more waste than can be applied to fields, and once the saturation point has been reached, the waste runs off into nearby water systems.
- The most common form of water pollution in the United States is excess levels of nitrogen or phosphorous, both of which are largely caused by fertilizer runoff.
What you can do....
Small, sustainable farms conserve water and apply waste and fertilizer to fields responsibly, minimizing their impact on local water systems. By supporting small farms, you can help to promote healthier waterways while showing that you do not support the environmental recklessness practiced by industrial farms.
Industrial Water Pollution
Many industrial facilities use freshwater to carry away waste from the plant and into rivers, lakes and oceans. Every year in the U.S. factories release over 3 million tons of toxic chemicals into the land, air and water.- Waste materials like acids, alkalies, toxic metals, oil, grease, dyes, pesticides and even radioactive materials are poured into the water bodies by many industrial units.
- Other important pollutants include polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) compounds, lubricants and hot water discharged by power plants.
- The pollutants unloaded into the water bodies usually dissolve or remain suspended in water.
- Sometimes, they also accumulate on the bottom of the water bodies.
In the United States, the industries contribute to more than half of the total water pollution.
- The industrial effluents contain pollutants like asbestos, phosphates, mercury, lead, nitrates, sulfur, sulfuric acid, oil and many other poisonous materials.
Industries can.....
Use the same water to perform several cooling operations. Three cooling water conservation approaches that can be used to reduce water use are evaporative cooling, ozonation, and air heat exchange. Stop dumping in water ways.
More Facts about Water Pollution....
- Over two-thirds of U.S. estuaries and bays are severely degraded because of nitrogen and phosphorous pollution
- Every year almost 25% of U.S. beaches are closed at least once because of water pollution
- Over 73 different kinds of pesticides have been found in the groundwater that we eventually use to drink
- 1.2 trillion gallons of sewage, stormwater and industrial waste are discharged into U.S. waters every year
- 40% of U.S. rivers are too polluted for aquatic life to survive
- Americans use over 2.2 billion pounds of pesticides every year, which eventually washes into our rivers and lakes
More ways to Prevent Water Pollution....
The best way to prevent water pollution is to not throw trash and other harmful chemicals into our water supplies. Here are a few more ways you can prevent water pollution:- Wash your car far away from any storm water drains
- Don’t throw trash, chemicals or solvents into sewer drains
- Inspect your septic system every 3-5 years
- Avoid using pesticides and fertilizers that can run off into water systems
- Sweep your driveway instead of hosing it down
- Always pump your waste-holding tanks on your boat
- Clean up oil and other liquid spills with kitty litter and sweep them up
- Don’t wash paint brushes in the sink
- Enforce better compliance of the The Clean Water Act (CWA) which establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters
- Community clean up of local water ways
How can you get involved in pollution prevention?
The best way for you to get involved with pollution prevention is to practice efforts on your own or join a project or program. You can see a complete list of U.S. Pollution Prevention Projects & Programs by checking out the Environmental Protection Agency website.
DO YOU WANT YOUR BEACH TO LOOK LIKE THIS.......
OR THIS?
