Preventing River Pollution: Strategies For A Cleaner Future

Water pollution is a pressing environmental issue, with over 70% of the Earth's surface covered in water. Rivers are particularly vulnerable to pollution from human activity, including sewage and wastewater, urbanization and deforestation, agriculture, industry, and marine dumping. To prevent river pollution, it is essential to address these sources of contamination. This involves improving wastewater treatment processes, adopting climate-friendly agricultural practices, managing stormwater runoff, preventing air pollution, reducing plastic waste, and conserving water. Additionally, individuals can make a difference by properly disposing of hazardous waste, reducing the use of fertilizers and pesticides, maintaining septic systems, and supporting local initiatives to clean up rivers and streams.

Dispose of fats, oils and grease in a fat jar, not down the sink

Disposing of fats, oils and grease in a responsible way is a key part of preventing river pollution. These substances can cause serious plumbing issues and environmental damage if they are poured down the sink.

Fats, oils and grease can congeal and clog pipes, leading to expensive plumbing issues. They can also combine with other substances such as wet wipes to create 'fatbergs'—massive obstructions in sewers that are costly and difficult to remove.

To prevent this, keep a 'fat jar' under your sink and pour cooled fats, oils and grease into it. When the jar is full, throw it into the solid waste bin. Alternatively, pour the fats, oils and grease into a sealable container (such as a plastic bottle) and dispose of it with your regular garbage.

If you have a large amount of waste oil, consider contacting local restaurants to see if they will let you dispose of it in their collection containers. Some areas also have recycling programs that accept waste cooking oil, which can be used to make biodiesel.

Avoid using a garbage disposal unit

One way to prevent river pollution is to avoid using a garbage disposal unit. Garbage disposal units are installed in kitchen sinks to grind food scraps into small particles, allowing them to be flushed down the drain pipe. While convenient, these units come with several drawbacks that can contribute to water pollution.

Firstly, garbage disposal units are not designed to handle all types of food waste. Fatty substances, such as cooking oil and grease, starchy foods like pasta and rice, fibrous materials including banana peels and celery, and hard items such as bones and fruit pits should not be disposed of in these units. Sending these items down the drain can lead to clogs and blockages in pipes, which can cause costly plumbing issues and contribute to water pollution.

Secondly, garbage disposal units require regular maintenance and cleaning to function properly and prevent odours. Even with careful use, food particles can accumulate and decompose, leading to unpleasant smells. Cleaning the unit involves turning off the power, scrubbing the inside, and using ice cubes or specific cleaning products to freshen it up. The constant need for maintenance can be time-consuming and inconvenient.

Additionally, garbage disposal units are susceptible to jams, clogs, and breakdowns, especially as they age. When issues arise, it is often necessary to replace the entire unit, as individual components are typically not sold separately. This can result in unexpected expenses and disruptions to daily routines.

Furthermore, there are potential environmental concerns associated with garbage disposal units. Sending food waste through the sewage system increases the burden on municipal water treatment facilities, requiring more energy and resources for wastewater treatment. Composting food waste or creating a compost pile from vegetable scraps is a more sustainable and eco-friendly alternative, preserving nutrients and reducing the environmental footprint.

Overall, while garbage disposal units offer convenience in food waste disposal, their limitations, maintenance requirements, and potential environmental impact provide strong reasons to avoid their use and explore alternative waste management methods.

Reduce the use of pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers

Reducing the use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers can help prevent river pollution in the following ways:

• Pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers can contaminate soil, water, turf, and other vegetation.
• Pesticides are designed to kill plants and insects, so it is not surprising that they can injure or kill desirable species if they are applied directly to such plants, or if they drift or volatilize onto them.
• Herbicides can also be toxic to fish. According to the EPA, studies show that trifluralin, an active ingredient in the weed-killer Snapshot, is highly to very highly toxic to both cold and warm water fish.
• Insecticides are generally the most acutely toxic class of pesticides, but herbicides can also pose risks to non-target organisms.
• Pesticides can contaminate groundwater, which may take many years for the contamination to dissipate or be cleaned up.
• Pesticides can also contaminate the air.
• Pesticides can have serious health implications for humans.

Don't pour motor oil down the drain

Motor oil is one of many automotive fluids that can cause significant damage to our waterways. When motor oil is poured down the drain, it can make its way into local rivers and streams. This is because stormwater runoff from streets and yards carries oil and other pollutants through gutters and storm drains to the nearest stream.

Motor oil can damage or kill underwater plants and animals. It is important to dispose of motor oil properly to prevent this type of pollution. Never pour motor oil down a storm drain, onto the soil, or into a waterway. Instead, put used motor oil in a sturdy container and take it to a local service station, auto parts store, or another approved centre. Many of these places will accept used motor oil for free.

If you are cleaning tools or other items that have come into contact with motor oil, it is best to wipe them down with paper towels or rags and then dispose of the paper towels or rags in the trash. Avoid using water-based cleaners or hosing spills into a storm drain. If you need to clean up a spill, use an absorbent material such as kitty litter, sand, or another absorbent, and once the liquid becomes solid, sweep it up and throw it in the garbage.

By following these guidelines, you can help prevent motor oil pollution and protect our waterways. It is important to remember that motor oil should never be poured down the drain and that proper disposal methods are essential for the health of our environment.

Don't throw litter in rivers

Do Not Throw Litter in Rivers

Littering is one of the most common ways in which rivers become polluted. This is true not just for rivers but for other water bodies as well, such as lakes and oceans. Litter can enter rivers in many ways, including being swept away from roadways or being directly dumped into the water. Once in the water, litter can cause immense harm to the health of the river and the wildlife that depends on it.

Littering is a major problem, especially when it comes to plastic waste. Plastic waste is a significant contributor to river pollution, as it is often transported to rivers through rainfall or wind. Plastic waste can be carried by wind or jolted out of trucks on the way to landfills, eventually making its way into river systems. Plastic pollution is not just unsightly; it can also have devastating effects on the river ecosystem. For example, plastic waste can deplete waterways of oxygen, killing fish and preventing new plant growth, thereby disrupting the biodiversity of the region.

Additionally, plastic waste can harm marine life. Animals such as fish, turtles, and birds may mistake plastic litter for food, leading to poisoning, internal injuries, or malnutrition. They can also become entangled in plastic debris, which may result in their death.

To prevent litter from entering rivers, it is essential to dispose of waste properly. This includes recycling whenever possible and securing trash bags to prevent wind or animals from scattering litter into waterways. It is also important to avoid using single-use items, such as disposable bags, bottles, and containers, opting instead for reusable alternatives.

By taking these simple steps, we can all do our part to keep our rivers clean and healthy and protect the wildlife that depends on them.

Frequently asked questions