Water Pollution: Impact On Our Drinking Supply?

Water pollution is a grave environmental issue that has been on the rise for the past century. It involves the deliberate or accidental release of harmful chemicals and substances into water bodies, which can have detrimental impacts on both aquatic life and human health. The contamination of the earth's water supply by hazardous substances or materials can result from various sources, including oil spills, improper waste disposal, and agricultural runoffs. These pollutants can affect drinking water sources, causing sickness, infections, and even death among those who consume it. With the increasing pressure on the planet's water resources due to population growth, it is crucial to address water pollution and protect our planet's natural resources.

Sewage and wastewater

According to the United Nations, more than 80% of the world's wastewater is released back into the environment without proper treatment. In some undeveloped countries, this figure exceeds 95%. This untreated wastewater is a major health hazard as it contains harmful substances such as human waste, toxic chemicals, and pathogens such as bacteria and viruses.

In the United States, wastewater treatment facilities process approximately 34 billion gallons of wastewater daily. These facilities work to reduce pollutants such as phosphorus, nitrogen, heavy metals, and toxic chemicals before releasing the treated water back into waterways. However, aging and overwhelmed sewage treatment systems in the US also release over 850 billion gallons of untreated wastewater annually.

The issue of untreated wastewater is more prevalent in poorer urban areas, where a significant portion of wastewater is discharged directly into nearby drainage channels or bodies of water. This exposes household effluent, human waste, toxic chemicals, and medical waste to the environment, often in densely populated residential areas.

The consequences of inadequate wastewater management are severe. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly two-thirds of urban populations in developing countries lack access to adequate sanitation facilities. As a result, water-related diseases such as diarrheal diseases, schistosomiasis, trachoma, ascariasis, trichuriasis, and hookworm disease are prevalent, causing millions of deaths each year.

Radioactive substances

Radioactive waste is any pollution that emits radiation beyond what is naturally released by the environment. It is generated by uranium mining, nuclear power plants, and the production and testing of military weapons, as well as by universities and hospitals that use radioactive materials for research and medicine. Radioactive substances can persist in the environment for thousands of years, making their disposal a significant challenge.

Radioactive materials, or radionuclides, are both naturally occurring and human-made. They can contaminate groundwater and surface waters. When radionuclides break down, they release radiation. While small amounts of radiation are common in the environment, exposure to high levels can cause health issues. Drinking water that contains radionuclides can put people at a higher risk of developing cancer if consumed daily over many years.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Radionuclides Rule sets federal standards for safe levels of radionuclides in drinking water. These standards include:

• 15 picocuries of alpha particles per liter of water (pCi/L) or less
• 5 pCi/L of combined radium-226/228 or less
• 20 pCi/L of uranium or less
• 4 millirem of beta/photon emitters per year (mrem/yr) or less

Radionuclides in drinking water can come from various sources, including:

• Uranium mining and nuclear power plants
• Military weapons production and testing
• Universities and hospitals using radioactive materials for research and medicine

The presence of radionuclides in drinking water has potential health effects, including:

• Increased risk of cancer, especially bone cancer and leukemia
• Nephrotoxicity and bone damage from uranium exposure
• Reproductive toxicity, such as increased rates of orofacial cleft defect births

To protect yourself and your family from the harmful effects of radioactive substances in drinking water, you can:

• Have your private well tested through an accredited laboratory if you are concerned about radionuclide levels.
• Install home water treatment systems like ion exchange water softeners or reverse osmosis systems to reduce radionuclide levels.
• If you are on a public water system, review their Water Quality Report to ensure radionuclide levels meet EPA standards.

Point source and non-point source pollution

Water pollution is a pressing issue that jeopardizes human health and the environment. Point source and non-point source pollution are two distinct categories of water pollution, each with its own unique characteristics and impacts.

Point Source Pollution:

Point source pollution originates from a single, identifiable location or source. This includes pollution from factories, sewage treatment plants, and leaking septic systems. For instance, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico was the largest point source of oil pollution in US history, releasing about 134 million gallons of oil. Point source pollution is regulated by federal and state agencies, which establish limits on the amount and type of discharge allowed. While it originates from a specific place, it can affect miles of waterways and oceans.

Non-Point Source Pollution:

Non-point source pollution, on the other hand, comes from diffuse sources and is challenging to regulate due to the lack of a single identifiable culprit. It is often associated with runoff, as water accumulates contaminants from various sources such as gardens, parking lots, or construction sites before being emptied into streams or rivers. Non-point source pollution is the leading cause of water pollution in US waters. Examples of non-point source pollution include:

• Excess fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides from agricultural and residential areas.
• Oil, grease, and toxic chemicals from urban runoff and energy production.
• Sediment from improperly managed construction sites, crop and forest lands, and eroding stream banks.
• Salt from irrigation practices and acid drainage from abandoned mines.
• Bacteria and nutrients from livestock, pet waste, and faulty septic systems.

Impact on Drinking Water:

Both point source and non-point source pollution can contaminate drinking water sources, including surface waters like lakes, rivers, and streams, as well as groundwater. Contaminants such as chemicals, nutrients, and pathogens can enter drinking water supplies, rendering them unsafe for human consumption and posing serious public health threats. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), water-related diseases linked to water pollution affect approximately 2.3 billion people worldwide.

Groundwater pollution

One of the primary sources of groundwater pollution is the use of on-site sanitation systems, such as septic tanks and pit latrines. Improperly designed, located, constructed, or maintained systems can leak bacteria, viruses, household chemicals, and other contaminants into the groundwater. This can lead to the spread of diseases, including hepatitis and dysentery, and cause serious health issues for individuals who rely on contaminated groundwater for drinking and other domestic purposes.

Agricultural practices also play a significant role in groundwater pollution. The excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides can lead to high levels of nitrates and other chemicals in the groundwater. This is particularly common in areas with intensive agricultural activities, where synthetic or natural nitrogen-containing fertilizers are heavily used. The high water solubility of these chemicals leads to increased runoff into surface water and leaching into groundwater, causing widespread contamination.

Industrial and commercial activities contribute to groundwater pollution as well. Leaks and spills from storage tanks, landfills, and industrial processes can result in the release of gasoline, oil, chemicals, and other toxic substances into the groundwater. Additionally, the widespread use of chemicals and road salts during winter can eventually find their way into the groundwater, further exacerbating the problem.

To address groundwater pollution, it is essential to implement prevention methods such as applying the precautionary principle, monitoring groundwater quality, zoning land for groundwater protection, and correctly locating and maintaining on-site sanitation systems. When pollution occurs, management approaches include point-of-use water treatment, groundwater remediation, or, as a last resort, abandoning the contaminated source and finding alternative water sources.

Effects on human health

Water pollution has devastating consequences for human health. Consuming contaminated water can lead to sickness, infections, exposure to diseases, and even death. According to the World Health Organization, about 2.3 billion people worldwide suffer from water-related diseases linked to water pollution, with water-related diseases killing millions each year.

Waterborne pathogens, in the form of disease-causing bacteria and viruses from human and animal waste, are a significant cause of illness from contaminated drinking water. Diseases spread by unsafe water include cholera, giardia, typhoid, and diarrheal diseases. Even in wealthy nations, accidental or illegal releases from sewage treatment facilities, as well as runoff from farms and urban areas, contribute harmful pathogens to waterways. For example, thousands of people across the United States fall ill each year from Legionnaires' disease, contracted from water sources like cooling towers and piped water.

Chemical pollutants in drinking water sources can also have severe health impacts. A wide range of chemical pollutants, from heavy metals such as arsenic and mercury to pesticides and nitrate fertilizers, are finding their way into our water supplies. Once ingested, these toxins can cause various health issues, including cancer, hormone disruption, and altered brain function. Children and pregnant women are particularly at risk.

Pollution from industrial waste and agricultural runoff is another major concern. Industrial wastewater often contains hazardous chemicals and heavy metals that can contaminate drinking water sources. Agricultural activities contribute to nutrient pollution, caused by excess nitrogen and phosphorus in water, leading to algal blooms that produce toxic blue-green algae harmful to humans and wildlife.

Water pollution also affects the availability of clean drinking water. In some cases, polluted groundwater reaches drinking water systems, posing serious public health threats. This is particularly true in areas with inadequate sewerage systems and wastewater treatment infrastructure, such as in developing countries.

Overall, water pollution poses a significant risk to human health, causing illnesses, exposing people to harmful chemicals, and reducing access to safe drinking water. Addressing water pollution is crucial to protecting public health and ensuring access to clean drinking water for all.

Frequently asked questions