Water Pollutants: Toxic Or Not?

Water is an essential resource for all life on Earth, but it is also easily polluted. Water pollution occurs when water becomes contaminated by chemicals, microorganisms, plastic, waste, or other harmful substances. This contamination can cause water to become toxic, leading to severe health issues in humans and other organisms. While not all pollutants are toxic, the presence of toxic pollutants in water can have devastating consequences for the environment and public health. The impact of toxic water pollution is far-reaching, affecting both aquatic ecosystems and human communities that rely on these water sources for survival.

Sources of water pollution

Water is a "'universal solvent", able to dissolve more substances than any other liquid on Earth. This makes it extremely vulnerable to pollution. Toxic substances from farms, towns, and factories readily dissolve into and mix with it, causing water pollution.

Agricultural Sector

The agricultural sector is the biggest consumer of global freshwater resources, with farming and livestock production using about 70% of the Earth's surface water supplies. It is also a serious water polluter. In the United States, agricultural pollution is the top source of contamination in rivers and streams, the second-biggest source in wetlands, and the third main source in lakes. It is also a major contributor to contamination in estuaries and groundwater. Every time it rains, fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste from farms and livestock operations wash nutrients and pathogens (bacteria and viruses) into waterways. Nutrient pollution, caused by excess nitrogen and phosphorus in water or air, is the number-one threat to water quality worldwide and can cause harmful algal blooms. Farmers need to reduce or eliminate their use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers and ensure that chemicals do not enter water sources.

Industrial Waste

Chemicals and heavy metals from industrial and municipal wastewater contaminate waterways. These contaminants are toxic to aquatic life, reducing an organism's lifespan and ability to reproduce, and they make their way up the food chain as predator eats prey. This is how big fish like tuna accumulate high quantities of toxins such as mercury. Radioactive waste from facilities that create nuclear energy can be extremely hazardous and must be disposed of properly. Accidents still occur at these facilities, and toxic waste is released into the environment.

Power Plants

Power plants are the largest source of toxic water pollution in many countries. They discharge heavy metals and chemicals such as lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium into waterways. These toxins have contaminated over 23,000 miles of rivers and are linked to cancer and neurological damage. In 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a regulation to address this massive source of unregulated pollution: the Effluent Limitation Guidelines and Standards for Steam Electric Power Plants, or the "ELG rule". This rule requires power generators to stop discharging these toxics into waterways. However, power plant companies challenged the rule in court, and the EPA is now trying to take away these protections.

Sewage and Wastewater Treatment

Sewage and wastewater treatment is the main point source of pollution to water. While sewage treatment plants treat the wastewater we produce, they are not the actual source of the pollution. Our nation's aging and easily overwhelmed sewage treatment systems also release more than 850 billion gallons of untreated wastewater each year. Consumers account for the vast majority of oil pollution in our seas, including oil and gasoline that drips from cars and trucks every day.

Other Sources

Water pollution can also come from widespread sources, such as pollutants released by industry into the air that then fall back to the land and sea (diffuse pollution). Roads and bridges can be planned with drainage channels to carry pollution from cars and trucks away from waterways. Planting trees along roadways will also prevent some water pollution because the trees will absorb some pollution from the air.

The impact of water pollution on human health

Water pollution has a significant impact on human health, and it is a pressing issue that requires attention and action from communities, governments, and industries. Water pollution occurs when water becomes contaminated by various substances, and not all pollutants are toxic. However, toxic water pollution poses severe risks to human health, and it is essential to address this issue to protect public health and well-being. Here is an overview of the impact of water pollution on human health:

Impact on Human Health

Water pollution can have detrimental effects on human health, leading to various health issues and diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), poor drinking water quality is linked to 80% of the world's diseases and 50% of child deaths globally. Contaminated water sources can harbor dangerous bacteria and pathogens, causing waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis A, and polio. These diseases can have devastating consequences, particularly in developing countries, where inadequate sanitation and unsafe drinking water contribute to high morbidity and mortality rates.

Chemical Pollutants

Chemical pollutants, such as pesticides, fertilizers, and heavy metals, pose significant risks to human health. When ingested, these toxins can lead to serious health problems, including cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and metabolic disorders. Power plants are a major source of chemical water pollution, releasing toxins like lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium into waterways. These contaminants bioaccumulate in fish and wildlife, entering the food chain and further endangering public health.

Microplastics

The presence of microplastics in water is another pressing issue. As plastic breaks down, small fragments are consumed by fish and eventually enter the human food chain. Microplastics have been linked to potential health risks, including oxidative stress, inflammatory reactions, and metabolic disorders. The ingestion of microplastics through drinking water or contaminated seafood is a growing concern for human health.

Agricultural Pollution

Agricultural practices also contribute significantly to water pollution. Rainwater washes fertilizers, animal waste, and pesticides from farms into waterways, contaminating water sources. These pollutants encourage the growth of algal blooms, which produce toxins harmful to humans and marine life. Additionally, agricultural pollution can lead to eutrophication, creating "dead zones" in water bodies where oxygen depletion results in the loss of aquatic life.

Addressing Water Pollution

To mitigate the impact of water pollution on human health, it is crucial to prevent pollution at its source. Communities can play an active role by mapping water sources and identifying problems. Governments can enforce laws and regulations to reduce water pollution, such as the Effluent Limitation Guidelines and Standards for power plants. Industries, including agriculture and power generation, must adopt cleaner practices and reduce their discharge of toxic substances into waterways.

In summary, water pollution poses a severe threat to human health, contributing to various diseases and health issues. It is essential to address water pollution by implementing measures to prevent contamination, enforcing regulations, and promoting sustainable practices. Safe and accessible drinking water is a human right, and ensuring its availability is crucial for public health and sustainable development.

The impact of water pollution on wildlife

Water pollution is a pressing global issue that has devastating impacts on wildlife. It is caused by a range of sources, including agricultural waste, raw sewage, pollution from abandoned mines, and plastic pollution. These pollutants contaminate rivers, reservoirs, lakes, and seas, causing significant harm to aquatic life and the natural environment.

One of the direct effects of water pollution on wildlife is the contamination of fish and other aquatic organisms. Contaminants such as heavy metals, oil spills, and pesticides can be ingested by fish, leading to deformities, reproductive issues, and even death. For example, the 2021 oil spill off of Los Angeles resulted in the death of countless fish and birds. Additionally, certain pollutants like nitrogen and phosphorus, often found in agricultural runoff, can promote excessive algae growth, leading to eutrophication and the creation of "dead zones" where aquatic life cannot survive due to a lack of oxygen.

The impact of water pollution extends beyond aquatic life, affecting birds, bears, big cats, and wolves that rely on fish as a food source. These animals face dwindling food sources or consume contaminated prey, causing indirect harm. Microplastics, for instance, are often found in marine wildlife and can become concentrated in humans who consume seafood due to biomagnification.

Agricultural pollution is a significant contributor to water pollution, with pesticides and herbicides having detrimental effects on aquatic plants and wildlife. In England, it was found that 40% of water bodies suffer from agricultural pollution, and similar issues are observed in Wales and Northern Ireland. Abandoned mines also contribute to water pollution, with heavy metals and other pollutants being washed into local watercourses.

Water pollution has led to the decline of many species and the devastation of freshwater habitats. It is essential to address this issue through community efforts, government regulations, and industrial action to reduce the harmful impacts of water pollution on wildlife and ecosystems.

Preventing water pollution

Water is a "universal solvent", able to dissolve more substances than any other liquid on Earth. This makes it very easy to pollute. Toxic substances from farms, towns, and factories readily dissolve into and mix with it, causing water pollution.

For communities:

• Adopting a storm drain is one of the simplest and most direct ways to help protect water quality in your community.
• Picking up pet waste is important as it contains harmful bacteria and parasites that can cause disease, as well as nutrients that encourage algae growth in waterways.
• Avoid using antibacterial soap, which often contains triclosan, a chemical that is toxic to fish. Instead, use plain soap and warm water with vigorous scrubbing for 15-20 seconds to fight germs.
• Avoid using spot-on flea and tick treatments for your pets, as these can easily spread around your home and even wind up in waterways.
• Use integrated pest management (IPM) methods to reduce the need for pesticides.
• Avoid pouring leftover household hazardous waste materials down the sink, toilet, or storm drain. Instead, dispose of them at a hazardous waste drop-off location.
• A healthy and robust tree canopy is especially important in an urban environment, as it helps to absorb pollution from the air.
• Plant native plants, which have deep roots that soak up stormwater, break up compacted soil, and help infiltrate runoff into the ground.
• Use permeable pavers that allow stormwater to soak into the ground by running down into the gaps between pavers.

For governments:

• Make and enforce laws to prevent water pollution.
• Work with international agencies to address water contamination issues, as in the case of the Bangladesh government's efforts to address arsenic poisoning in groundwater.

For industries:

• Power plants should reduce the pollution they create and not contaminate communities downstream. They should not be allowed to discharge toxic chemicals into waterways.
• Factories can treat their waste, and large and small businesses can use clean production methods.
• Farmers need to reduce or eliminate their use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, ensuring that chemicals do not enter water sources. They can replace chemicals with natural pest controls and natural fertilizers.

Water pollution and climate change

Water pollution refers to the presence of harmful substances (pollutants) in water bodies, such as rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and seas. These substances can include chemicals, waste, plastic, and other pollutants. Climate change intensifies water pollution through increased runoff of pollutants and sedimentation. Heavy downpours, projected to increase due to climate change, can result in increased pollutant runoff and sedimentation in source waters. This complicates the treatment of drinking water, increases costs, and diminishes water quality.

Agricultural practices significantly contribute to water pollution. The agricultural sector is the biggest consumer of global freshwater resources, with farming and livestock production using about 70% of the Earth's surface water supplies. Chemical pesticides and fertilizers used in agriculture can contaminate water sources, impacting both human and aquatic life. In the United States, agricultural pollution is the top source of contamination in rivers and streams.

Climate change-induced rising temperatures contribute to water-related hazards, such as floods and droughts, further complicating water pollution control. Drought conditions can lead to a loss of water supply and increased demand, affecting both short-term and long-term water sources. Floods can cause the overflow of contaminated water into new areas, spreading pollution and damaging ecosystems.

To address these challenges, governments, industries, and communities must work together. Governments can enforce laws to prevent water pollution, promote climate-smart agriculture, and implement water supply and sanitation systems resilient to climate change. Industries, including power plants, must reduce their discharge of toxic chemicals into waterways and treat their waste effectively. Communities can organize to map water sources, identify problems, and take action to stop pollution at the source.

Frequently asked questions