Water Pollution Control: Effective Policies For Cleaner Water?

Water pollution is a pressing issue, with our rivers, lakes, and seas drowning in chemicals, waste, plastic, and other pollutants. Water is highly vulnerable to pollution, and toxic substances from farms, towns, and factories readily dissolve and mix with it. While water pollution control policies like the Clean Water Act have helped to improve water quality, threats to water safety remain. The Clean Water Act, passed in 1972, established a nationwide approach to enhancing water quality and provided funding for projects to restore water bodies. However, the Act has been controversial, with some arguing that its costs have exceeded its benefits, and there is debate over whether it has effectively reduced water pollution. To fully address water pollution, a combination of policy interventions, public activism, and targeted investments is necessary, focusing on areas of high social welfare importance.

The Clean Water Act

Water is highly vulnerable to pollution. As a "universal solvent", water can dissolve more substances than any other liquid on Earth, making it easily polluted. Water pollution occurs when toxic substances from farms, towns, and factories dissolve into and mix with water bodies, degrading water quality and rendering it toxic to humans and the environment.

Under the CWA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has implemented pollution control programs and set wastewater standards for industries. The Act made it unlawful to discharge any pollutant from a point source into navigable waters without a permit. EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls these discharges. The CWA also established national water quality criteria recommendations for pollutants in surface waters.

While the Clean Water Act has helped hold polluters accountable for five decades, there are still challenges and threats to water safety. For example, nonpoint source pollution, which comes from multiple sources such as runoff from farms, yards, and paved areas, is the leading cause of water pollution. Additionally, emerging threats from a changing climate, such as stormwater runoff carrying pollutants into waters, need to be addressed. Strengthening the Act and taking further actions may be necessary to meet the goals established when it was first passed.

Water pollution control programs

The Clean Water Act

The Clean Water Act, passed in 1972, established a nationwide approach to improving the quality of lakes, rivers, streams, and other water bodies in the United States. This act holds significant importance as, prior to its implementation, many US rivers were severely polluted, with some even catching fire, such as the infamous 1969 Cuyahoga River fire. The Act requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), along with states, tribes, and territories, to monitor and improve the quality of US waters. It also addresses point source pollution, prohibiting the discharge of pollutants from these sources without a permit. While the Act has helped reduce pollution, there are mixed opinions on its effectiveness, with some arguing that the benefits do not outweigh the costs, which have exceeded $1 trillion.

EPA's Water Quality and Protection Efforts

The EPA has undertaken various initiatives to protect and restore water quality. They have provided significant financial resources, totaling about $31 million from 2002 to 2021, for projects aimed at restoring water bodies like the Lake Pontchartrain Basin. The EPA has also focused on watershed restoration, protecting aquatic ecosystems and wetlands, and addressing combined sewer overflows, which can lead to raw sewage overflowing into waterways during heavy rainfall. Additionally, they have taken steps to address emerging contaminants like PFAS, found in consumer goods, by identifying industrial sources, obtaining monitoring information, and restricting releases.

Pollution Prevention Tips for Water Conservation

The EPA has also offered guidance to individuals, encouraging efficient water use and conservation. This includes simple actions such as installing water-efficient showerheads, taking shorter showers, using low-flow toilets, and checking for leaks. Other recommendations involve reducing water usage in daily tasks like washing clothes and cars, composting food scraps instead of using garbage disposals, and utilizing drought-tolerant plants for landscaping. These collective efforts can significantly reduce water pollution and conserve fuel and chemicals used in water treatment.

While these water pollution control programs have made notable progress, ongoing challenges, such as nonpoint source pollution from agricultural runoff and emerging contaminants, require further attention and action.

Water quality standards

Narrative standards, on the other hand, address more fundamental forms of water pollution, such as floating solids, scums, visible oil films, or nuisance algae blooms. They also set water quality goals related to specific pollutants, such as eutrophication and contaminants that accumulate in fish, posing risks to both human and wildlife consumers. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) employs biological monitoring and the Tiered Aquatic Life Uses (TALU) framework to assess the biological health of water bodies, complementing the information provided by chemical (pollutant) monitoring.

Additionally, water quality standards guide the limits imposed on regulated facilities' discharges into surface waters. For instance, the federal Clean Water Act, passed in 1972, requires states to designate beneficial uses for all water bodies and develop standards to safeguard those uses. This includes setting criteria for acceptable discharges and enforcing compliance through permits, as overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

While the Clean Water Act has helped improve water quality over the past five decades, emerging threats, such as microplastics, PFAS, pharmaceuticals, and climate change impacts, call for continuous strengthening of policies and regulations to protect our precious water resources.

Water pollution sources

Water pollution is caused by a variety of sources, both natural and anthropogenic. Here are some of the key sources of water pollution:

Point Source Pollution

Point source pollution comes from a single, identifiable source. This includes wastewater discharge from manufacturing facilities, oil refineries, or wastewater treatment plants. It also includes contamination from leaking septic systems, chemical and oil spills, and illegal dumping. While point source pollution originates from a specific place, it can affect miles of waterways and oceans. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States regulates point source pollution by establishing limits on what can be discharged directly into bodies of water.

Nonpoint Source Pollution (Diffuse Pollution)

Nonpoint source pollution, also known as diffuse pollution, comes from widespread sources rather than a single source. This includes nutrients, pesticides, and fertilizers from farming activities, as well as pollutants released by industries into the air that eventually fall back to the land and sea. Nonpoint source pollution is the leading cause of water pollution and can carry sediment, oil, bacteria, toxins, and other pollutants from farms, yards, and paved areas into nearby waters.

Agricultural Pollution

The agricultural sector is a major water polluter, contributing to contamination in rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands, estuaries, and groundwater. Every time it rains, fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste from farms wash nutrients and pathogens (bacteria and viruses) into waterways. Nutrient pollution, caused by excess nitrogen and phosphorus, is the top threat to water quality worldwide and can lead to harmful algal blooms.

Industrial Pollution

Industries such as factories, power plants, and refineries can release toxic chemicals and pollutants into water bodies, either directly or indirectly through air pollution. This includes chemical spills, illegal dumping, and the release of persistent chemicals like PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) commonly used in consumer goods.

Sewage and Wastewater Treatment

Sewage overflows and inadequate wastewater treatment are significant sources of water pollution. Combined sewer systems that collect sewage and stormwater in the same pipes can be overwhelmed during heavy rainfall, causing raw sewage to overflow into waterways. Aging and overwhelmed sewage treatment systems can also release untreated wastewater, contributing to water pollution.

Climate Change and Extreme Weather

Climate change and extreme weather events can impact water quality. For example, stormwater runoff can carry pollutants into water bodies, and extreme weather can damage infrastructure, including utilities that produce drinking water and treat wastewater.

Water pollution solutions

Water pollution is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to both human health and the environment. It occurs when harmful substances, often chemicals or microorganisms, contaminate water bodies, degrading water quality and making it toxic. While policies like the Clean Water Act have helped address pollution from point sources, nonpoint sources, such as stormwater runoff, remain a challenge. Here are some solutions to tackle water pollution:

Strengthen and Enforce Regulations

The Clean Water Act, enacted 50 years ago, has been instrumental in holding polluters accountable. However, it needs to be strengthened to address modern-day challenges, including microplastics, PFAS, pharmaceuticals, and other contaminants. Regulations must be adapted to keep pace with emerging contaminants and ensure that polluters are complying with their permits.

Improve Waste Management

Industrial waste and improper waste disposal are significant sources of water pollution. Implementing proper waste management systems and treating wastewater effectively before discharge are crucial. This includes investing in infrastructure for wastewater treatment and lead-pipe removal programs. Additionally, individuals should be educated about proper waste disposal, such as not dumping hazardous waste into drains, on the ground, or into storm sewers.

Reduce Agricultural Pollution

Agriculture is a leading cause of water degradation worldwide. Farmers can adopt practices such as controlled spreading of manures, improved pesticide management, and reduced fertilizer use to minimize the impact on water bodies. Governments can also provide support and incentives for sustainable agricultural practices that protect water sources.

Prevent Oil Spills and Leaks

Oil pollution, often from land-based sources like factories and farms, severely damages marine life and ecosystems. Stricter regulations and monitoring of oil drilling operations and land-based sources are necessary to prevent oil from reaching marine environments.

Public Education and Community Action

Communities and individuals can play an active role in protecting water sources. Educating the public about the dangers of polluted runoff and proper waste disposal, such as keeping litter out of creeks and streets, can help prevent pollution at its source. Additionally, supporting organizations working towards water protection and participating in the policymaking process can drive positive change.

Frequently asked questions