Water Pollution

by Kelsie D

Water Pollution is the contamination of water bodies. This occurs when pollutants are directly or indirectly discharged into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove the harmful compounds. Three major sources of water pollution are cities, agriculture and industry.

City Pollution and Prevention: This is the result of both garbage and dangerous chemicals legally or illegally dumped by manufacturing industries, health centers, schools and marketplaces. One of the easiest ways to prevent water pollution from cities is to simply not litter. Recycle anything that can be recycled so it's reusable. Another way, if you have a pet, is to pick up their waste constantly. Rain water can cause it to absorb into the ground and run into lakes, streams, and rivers.

Agriculture Pollution and Prevention: Runoff from barnyards, feedlots and cropland carries away manure, fertilizers, pesticides, toxins from farm equipment, soil, and sediment. Bacteria and parasites, from animal waste, can get into drinking water, which can cause illness and death for animals and humans. Planting trees, shrubs, and grass around fields, especially those that border water bodies, can help by absorbing or filtering out nutrients before they reach a water body. You can also encourage farmers to use natural pest control and fertilizers.

Industry Pollution and Prevention: Industrial activities that cause water pollution come mainly from sulphur, asbestos, lead, mercury, nitrates and phosphates. Many industrial facilities use freshwater to carry away waste from the plant and into rivers, lakes, and oceans. Spreading awareness of the dumpings can push the development of affordable pollution control equipment, and create incentives from the government for installing such equipment. This can encourage industries to take pollution control seriously.

Say What?!

40% of America’s rivers and 46% of America’s lakes are so polluted that fishing, swimming, or aquatic life is not possible.

1.2 trillion gallons of untreated sewage and industrial waste are put into the United State’s water supply yearly.