The Pollution Of Rivers: A Troubling Trend

Rivers are polluted by a variety of factors, including industrial waste, agricultural waste, untreated sewage, and chemical runoff. This pollution has severe consequences for the environment and human health. For example, the Ganges River in India, which serves more than two billion people, is polluted by raw sewage from industrial units, while the Citarum River has mercury levels more than 100 times the accepted standard due to factory waste. Water pollution is a significant environmental challenge, and despite conservation efforts, it remains a pressing issue that requires urgent attention and action.

Industrial waste

The improper disposal of solid waste is a major source of water pollution. Solid waste includes garbage, rubbish, electronic waste, trash, and construction and demolition waste, all of which are generated by individual, residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial activities. The problem is especially acute in developing countries that may lack the infrastructure to properly dispose of solid waste or that may have inadequate resources or regulations to limit improper disposal. In some places, solid waste is intentionally dumped into bodies of water.

In the United States, chemical companies released the most contaminants of all industries, according to EPA documents. Utilities, plastics and rubber manufacturers, mining companies, and petroleum and coal producers round out the top five. Many of the hazardous substances from industry are difficult to biodegrade and therefore accumulate in water sediments. The consequence of this industrial wastewater pollution is that fish, crustaceans, and other creatures become ill, and some die.

In addition to toxic chemicals, industrial waste can also contain radioactive substances, which can be extremely hazardous to the environment. Uranium, the element used in the creation of nuclear energy, is a highly toxic chemical. Accidents at these facilities can release toxic waste into the environment. The coal and gas industries are also major contributors to water pollution.

The Clean Water Act and its amendments in the United States regulate water quality and set minimum standards for waste discharges for each industry, as well as regulations for specific problems such as toxic chemicals and oil spills. However, EPA regulations have been criticised as having "a failure of federal and state policy" in keeping people safe from industrial pollution in their drinking water.

Agricultural waste

Agriculture is a major contributor to river pollution. The sector is the biggest consumer of global freshwater resources, with farming and livestock production using about 70% of the earth's surface water supplies. Every time it rains, fertilisers, pesticides, and animal waste from farms and livestock operations wash nutrients and pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, into our waterways.

Fertilisers, pesticides, and animal waste are not the only agricultural byproducts that contaminate rivers. Farms also discharge large quantities of agrochemicals, organic matter, drug residues, sediments, and saline drainage into water bodies. Over the last 20 years, a new class of agricultural pollutants has emerged in the form of veterinary medicines (antibiotics, vaccines, and growth promoters), which move from farms through water to ecosystems and drinking water sources.

The presence of phosphorus and nitrogen in water causes water pollution and the contamination of ecosystems for its occupants. Nutrient pollution, particularly from excess phosphorus in the water, creates algal blooms, which heavily affect environmental health. These algal blooms may produce toxins that harm other life in the river. When the algae die and decay, they use up much of the oxygen in the stream, causing invertebrates and fish to suffocate.

Agricultural fields have traditionally contained many toxic chemical compounds, including pesticides and organic compounds. Soil washed off from fields into rivers can cover stream bottoms where invertebrates live and can even clog the gills of fish swimming in the river.

Human waste

Sewage overflows and leaks are a significant source of river pollution. When rainwater rushes into sewers, it can cause overflows, leading to the release of untreated sewage into nearby rivers and water bodies. This problem can be mitigated by investing in natural areas, such as planting trees, restoring wetlands, and creating green roofs, which help prevent stormwater from entering the sewer system.

Additionally, human waste can contribute to the growth of algae in rivers. Chemicals and nutrients from human waste can act as fertilisers, causing algae blooms that produce toxins harmful to aquatic life. As the algae die and decay, they consume oxygen, leading to low-oxygen "Dead Zones" that cannot support aquatic life. This issue is exacerbated by the extraction of water from rivers and lakes for human needs, leaving smaller amounts of water in ecosystems, which are more susceptible to the effects of pollution.

Chemical runoff

Rivers are polluted by chemical runoff, which carries harmful chemicals and other pollutants into waterways. This occurs when rainwater washes contaminants from roads, farms, and industries into rivers and lakes. As rainwater and snowmelt run off streets, parking lots, and other surfaces, they pick up various contaminants, including pet waste, pesticides, fertilizers, oil, and other chemicals. This polluted water then flows into local creeks, rivers, and bays, degrading water quality and harming aquatic life.

Agricultural runoff is also a significant contributor to river pollution. Farmland runoff carries nutrients from fertilizers and animal manure into rivers and streams. The loss of natural filters, such as forests and wetlands, exacerbates the problem, as man-made filtration systems have not adequately compensated for this loss. As a result, the polluted runoff from stormwater is one of the primary sources of pollution in many regions, affecting both drinking water sources and aquatic ecosystems.

Urban and suburban areas are significant sources of chemical runoff. As cities and towns develop, they replace natural landscapes with buildings and pavement, increasing the amount of stormwater runoff. This runoff picks up various pollutants, including fertilizers, oil, pesticides, dirt, bacteria, and heavy metals, as it flows through storm drains into nearby waterways. The effects of urban runoff are particularly strong, as the large volumes of water involved can carry these pollutants into rivers, lakes, and oceans, degrading water quality and threatening both aquatic life and human health.

To address the issue of chemical runoff, responsible land management, reduced chemical use, improved urban planning with green infrastructure, and better waste disposal practices are necessary. By minimizing the contaminants that enter waterways, we can protect aquatic ecosystems, safeguard drinking water sources, and maintain the health of aquatic life and humans who depend on these water sources. Additionally, investing in runoff pollution control systems can help improve the ecology, economy, and health of regions affected by urban and suburban runoff pollution.

The effects of chemical runoff on rivers and other bodies of water are widespread and detrimental. Nutrient runoff can cause excessive algae growth, leading to eutrophication and oxygen deprivation for plants and animals. Eroded soil carried by runoff can cloud the water and block sunlight, while sediment buildup can destroy spawning and feeding grounds for fish and other aquatic creatures. As a result, habitats are degraded, and fish populations and other aquatic life decrease. Chemical runoff also contributes to the spread of antimicrobial resistance, reducing the effectiveness of antibiotics in treating infections.

Untreated wastewater

According to the United Nations, over 80% of the world's wastewater flows back into the environment without proper treatment. In less developed countries, this figure can exceed 95%. This means that billions of gallons of untreated wastewater are released into rivers and other water bodies annually. In the United States, for example, sewage treatment systems discharge more than 850 billion gallons of untreated wastewater each year.

There are several ways in which untreated wastewater ends up in rivers. One significant factor is outdated sewage infrastructure. Many sewage systems, particularly in older cities, are not designed to handle excessive rainfall. During heavy rain, the volume of water in the sewage system can exceed its capacity, resulting in overflow and the discharge of untreated sewage into nearby rivers. Combined sewer systems, where stormwater runoff combines with wastewater from households and industries, further contribute to this issue.

Agricultural activities also play a role in the release of untreated wastewater. Farming and livestock production account for about 70% of global freshwater consumption, and they are a significant source of water pollution. When it rains, fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste from farms wash into rivers and other waterways, leading to nutrient pollution. This excess of nitrogen and phosphorus can cause algal blooms, which are harmful to both humans and wildlife.

The consequences of untreated wastewater in rivers are severe. Untreated human sewage contains various infectious diseases, including salmonella, hepatitis, dysentery, and cryptosporidium. These contaminants pose a significant risk to human health, as they can cause illnesses and even death. Additionally, the chemicals and pollutants in untreated wastewater degrade water quality, making it unsafe for human consumption and harmful to aquatic ecosystems.

To address the issue of untreated wastewater, several measures can be implemented. Firstly, investing in infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies can help improve the capacity and effectiveness of wastewater treatment plants. Secondly, stringent regulations and enforcement are crucial to ensure that treatment plants comply with standards and do not discharge untreated sewage into rivers. Governments and regulatory bodies must play an active role in monitoring and enforcing these regulations. Lastly, raising public awareness about the impact of sewage pollution on river ecosystems is essential for driving long-term change and encouraging support for water protection initiatives.

Frequently asked questions