Swimming And Pollution: Unseen Environmental Impact

Swimming is a popular recreational activity, with more than 143 million people in the US alone engaging in non-motorized water sports. However, the activity can be a source of pollution, as swimmers introduce bacteria, waste, and other contaminants into the water. This is particularly true for swimming pools, where the water is recycled, causing an increase in pathogen concentrations. Additionally, pollutants can enter natural bodies of water through urban runoff, sewage overflows, and industrial livestock production, which can pose health risks to swimmers.

Stormwater runoff

The runoff picks up and carries various contaminants, including oil, grease, metals, and coolants from vehicles; fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals from gardens and homes; bacteria from pet waste and failing septic systems; soil from construction sites; soaps from car or equipment washing; and accidental spills. These pollutants are then transported to nearby lakes, rivers, and bays, causing serious damage to these water bodies and the ecosystems they support.

In the context of swimming, stormwater runoff can introduce harmful bacteria, viruses, and other disease-causing organisms into waterways. High levels of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) and pathogens in the water increase the risk of water-borne illnesses for swimmers. These illnesses can range from gastroenteritis, with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, to more serious diseases like dysentery, hepatitis, cholera, and typhoid fever.

To address the issue of stormwater runoff, it is essential to implement effective management strategies. This includes reducing the volume of stormwater runoff by promoting water infiltration into the ground, properly disposing of waste, maintaining septic systems, and minimizing the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and other pollutants. By taking these actions, we can help protect our waterways, preserve aquatic ecosystems, and ensure safer swimming conditions.

Sewage overflows

In the UK, the Environmental Agency is responsible for monitoring and reporting the quality of designated bathing sites, and they issue permits, monitor usage, and enforce fines for water companies that fail to meet specified requirements. Despite this, the usage of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) has been prevalent, with untreated sewage being discharged into English rivers and waterways on hundreds of thousands of occasions in recent years. This has resulted in the issuing of pollution warnings and poses a severe risk to public and ecological health.

In the US, it is estimated that 3.5 million Americans get sick each year from swimming, boating, or otherwise touching water contaminated by sewage. Sewage can contain harmful microorganisms, known as pathogens, which can cause various illnesses, including gastroenteritis, ear infections, and more severe diseases like dysentery, hepatitis, cholera, and typhoid fever. These illnesses can be passed on to household members, and children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable.

To address the issue of sewage overflows, it is crucial to invest in improving wastewater infrastructure and implementing more advanced forecasting and warning systems. By utilising machine learning, high-resolution rainfall predictions, and increased bacteria sampling during extreme weather events, authorities can better protect swimmers and the environment from the harmful effects of sewage overflows.

Plastic pollution

While swimming itself does not cause plastic pollution, the activity can be affected by it. Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues, with production and disposal of plastic products overwhelming the world's ability to deal with them.

Impacts of Plastic Pollution on the Environment and Human Health

Preventing and Addressing Plastic Pollution

The solution to plastic pollution lies in preventing plastic waste from entering rivers and oceans. This can be achieved through improved waste management systems, better product design, and a reduction in the production of unnecessary single-use plastics. International cooperation and a global treaty are necessary to address this global issue effectively.

Swimming and Plastic Pollution

Swimming in polluted waters can expose individuals to harmful microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, and parasites. While swimming-related illnesses are usually not serious, they can cause gastrointestinal problems, infections, and, in highly polluted waters, more severe diseases.

In summary, while swimming does not directly cause plastic pollution, swimmers can be affected by plastic pollution in the water, and it is crucial to address this environmental issue through proper waste management, reduced plastic consumption, and global collaborative efforts.

Microbial threats

Swimming can indeed cause pollution, and this can lead to several microbial threats.

Swimming pools can expose swimmers to physicochemical and microbiological risks. The main microbial risk of bathing in recreational water is fecal contamination, which may be due to the accidental release of fecal matter that can remain on the skin, especially of children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. This can cause gastroenteritis and other illnesses such as nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, diarrhea, and fever.

Swimming pools can be contaminated with pathogenic protozoa, which pose a serious threat to bathers. Intestinal coccidia, Cryptosporidium spp., Girardia lamblia, Microsporidia spp., and Blastocystis spp. are some of the parasites that have been detected in swimming pool water. These parasites can cause gastrointestinal infections, malabsorption, steatorrhea, and growth retardation in children.

The water in public swimming pools contains microorganisms and unwanted substances, which are introduced by swimmers. Bacteria from saliva, excretion products, pollution from swimwear, skin tissue, sebum, sweat, nose and throat saliva, hairs, cosmetics, and ammonia are some of the pollutants that swimmers bring into the pool.

The disinfection and cleaning procedures of swimming pools are crucial in maintaining water quality and reducing microbial threats. Improper disinfection and infrequent cleaning can lead to high levels of contamination, even with high residual chlorine levels.

To minimize microbial threats, regular monitoring of swimming pool water quality is necessary, along with improved disinfection systems. Governmental programs should also focus on educating swimmers about hygienic behaviors before and during swimming.

Industrial waste

Industrial pollution can be defined as any form of pollution stemming from industry. This includes the burning of coal and fossil fuels, the release of chemical solvents, radioactive material leakage, and the discharge of untreated waste. Industrial waste can be further categorised into hazardous and non-hazardous waste. While non-hazardous waste includes rubbish and debris, it can still be harmful to the environment. Hazardous waste, on the other hand, includes substances like ammonia, solvents, and petroleum, which are classified as such due to their detrimental effects on human health and the environment.

The release of metals, chemicals, and sewage into the environment causes significant air, soil, and water pollution, with the latter being one of the most devastating consequences. Untreated wastewater is often wrongly released back into bodies of water due to a lack of infrastructure or regulation. When this occurs, lakes, rivers, and coastal waters become significantly polluted, posing risks to both the environment and human health.

For instance, pollutants like total organic carbon (TOC) and compounds containing nitrogen and phosphorus can lead to eutrophication, which often results in the death of a body of water. Eutrophication occurs when a body of water becomes enriched with nutrients and minerals, promoting the growth of toxic algae and plants. This, in turn, increases carbon dioxide levels in the water, leading to ocean acidification, which is harmful to marine life and shellfish consumed by humans.

Furthermore, untreated industrial wastewater can have far-reaching impacts on human health. Polluted waters can become breeding grounds for harmful bacteria and viruses, leading to serious illnesses such as hepatitis A or E.coli infections. Direct contact with contaminated water during recreational activities, such as swimming, significantly increases exposure risks due to the possible ingestion of polluted water.

To minimise industrial pollution, several changes are necessary, including policy changes, controlled industrial growth, investment in sustainable technologies, and improved waste management and treatment practices. Without immediate and global action, the consequences of industrial waste will continue to pose risks to both the environment and human health.

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