Meghan Hodges
Watersheds are land areas that drain into a stream, lake, or river, and they play a crucial role in maintaining water quality. Unfortunately, watersheds are susceptible to various forms of pollution, including runoff and erosion, which can have detrimental effects on the health of these ecosystems and the aquatic life they support. Pollution in watersheds can originate from both natural and human-made sources, such as nonpoint source (NPS) pollution, where rainfall or snowmelt carries pollutants into water sources. Other human-made sources include trash, dog poop, and toxic household chemicals that are improperly disposed of. Maintaining healthy watersheds is essential for clean drinking water, productive fisheries, and outdoor recreation, all of which positively impact our economies, environments, and quality of life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Leading causes of pollution | Sediments, bacteria (e.g. E. coli), excess nutrients (e.g. nitrogen and phosphorus), animal waste, and overflowing combined sewers |
| How pollutants reach the watershed | Erosion, runoff, and overflowing sewers |
| How to prevent pollution | Recycle antifreeze and motor oil, pick up dog poop, conserve water, use hardy plants, don't pour toxic chemicals down the drain, and don't over-apply fertilizers |
| Impact of pollution | Can destroy an entire aquatic ecosystem, including its inhabitants, and impair water quality |
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What You'll Learn
Nonpoint source pollution
- Urban and suburban areas, where much of the land surface is covered by buildings, pavement and compacted landscapes that increase runoff.
- Sediments, bacteria (such as E. coli), and excess nutrients (such as nitrogen and phosphorus).
- Animal waste and overflowing combined sewers.
- Fertilizer runoff.
- Trash and dog poop that ends up in storm drains.
- Lawn fertilizer and car maintenance/washing.
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Runoff from residential areas
The impact of residential runoff on watersheds is exacerbated by the increasing urbanization and loss of natural filters. As cities expand, forests, meadows, and wetlands that used to absorb and filter rainwater are replaced by impervious surfaces. This transformation results in almost 100% of rainwater becoming runoff, compared to only 10-20% in natural areas. The loss of natural filters and the increase in impervious surfaces contribute to the growing problem of watershed pollution from residential runoff.
Additionally, residential areas often face issues with septic systems. Regular inspections, maintenance, and pumping are necessary to prevent failures that could lead to costly repairs and pollution of nearby waterways. Properly managing septic systems and ensuring that animal manure is composted in designated areas are crucial steps in minimizing the impact on watersheds.
To reduce the negative impact of residential runoff on watersheds, several measures can be implemented. These include reducing impervious surfaces, increasing vegetated land cover, and utilizing permeable pavements. Educating residents about the impact of their actions on watershed health is also essential, encouraging them to properly dispose of toxic chemicals, conserve water, and participate in stream restoration projects. By taking these steps, communities can play a vital role in protecting and restoring the health of their local watersheds.
Overall, runoff from residential areas significantly contributes to watershed pollution. By implementing best management practices and educating residents, communities can minimize the impact of residential runoff and improve watershed health, ensuring clean water sources for themselves and the diverse life that watersheds sustain.
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Bacteria
Sewage contains harmful bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal disorders, rashes, skin and eye infections, and flu-like symptoms. Additionally, sewage discharges introduce excess nutrients into waterways, promoting harmful algal blooms that further endanger human health and disrupt coastal ecosystems.
Agricultural practices also play a significant role in water pollution. Fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste from farms wash bacteria and other pathogens into waterways during rainfall. Nitrogen and phosphorus in particular contribute to nutrient pollution, which is the leading threat to water quality worldwide.
The use of septic systems, especially in rural and coastal areas, further exacerbates the problem. These systems often inadequately treat sewage, allowing household waste to contaminate ground and surface waters.
To address these issues, public education is crucial to raise awareness about the impact of individual actions on wastewater treatment. Additionally, governments must prioritize repairing and upgrading water infrastructure to better manage stormwater and reduce sewage pollution.
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Excess nutrients
Nutrient pollution is one of the most widespread and costly environmental issues in America. Nutrients enter watersheds through stormwater runoff, which carries pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphorus into local waterways. This type of pollution is known as nonpoint source (NPS) pollution, which occurs when rainfall or snowmelt moves over and through the ground, picking up and carrying natural and human-made pollutants into water sources. Urban and suburban areas, where much of the land is covered by buildings, pavement, and compacted landscapes, tend to increase runoff and contribute to NPS pollution.
Fertilizer runoff is a significant source of nutrient pollution in watersheds. When excess fertilizers are applied to lawns and gardens, the nutrients are not fully absorbed by the plants and can be washed away by irrigation or rain. These fertilizers then enter the watershed, promoting the growth of algae and weeds. Algae blooms from fertilizer runoff can harm watershed health and impact aquatic life.
To prevent nutrient pollution in watersheds, it is essential to reduce the use of fertilizers and properly manage stormwater runoff. Homeowners can play a crucial role by following lawn and garden tips provided by organizations like the EPA. These tips include using hardy plants that require little to no watering, fertilizers, or pesticides and considering organic or slow-release fertilizers to reduce the risk of excess nutrients entering the watershed.
Additionally, it is important to properly dispose of toxic household chemicals and waste. Instead of pouring them down the drain, take them to a hazardous waste center. By following these practices and working together within communities, we can effectively protect and restore the health of our watersheds.
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Sediment
The effects of sediment pollution in watersheds are significant. Sediment can suffocate fish by clogging their gills, and it can also indicate the presence of other harmful substances in the water. High levels of sediment can reduce the quality of aquatic habitats, degrade aquatic life, and result in the loss of ecosystem services.
To protect watersheds from sediment pollution, it is important to minimize erosion and sediment runoff. This can be achieved through various practices, such as using permeable surfaces like wood, brick, or gravel for decks and walkways, which allow rainwater to soak in instead of running off. Additionally, conserving water, properly disposing of waste, and reducing the use of fertilizers and pesticides can also help minimize sediment pollution in watersheds.
Overall, sediment pollution in watersheds has detrimental effects on aquatic life and ecosystems. It is important to take measures to minimize sediment runoff and protect the health and functionality of watersheds, which provide critical services such as clean drinking water and outdoor recreation.
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Frequently asked questions
Watersheds can get polluted through a variety of ways, including runoff, erosion, and nonpoint source (NPS) pollution.
Runoff is the flow of stormwater into streets and local waterways. This water can carry pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as bacteria like E. coli, into watersheds.
Erosion is the wearing away of soil or rock by wind or water. It can be a natural process, but it can also be accelerated by human activities such as deforestation or construction. In the context of watershed pollution, erosion can result in the deposition of sediments into water bodies, which can harm aquatic life.
NPS pollution refers to the contamination of water sources by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground, picking up and carrying natural and human-made pollutants. These pollutants are then deposited into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters, and groundwater.
There are several ways individuals can help prevent watershed pollution:
- Reduce the use of toxic household chemicals and properly dispose of them at hazardous waste centers.
- Use hardy plants that require little to no watering, fertilizers, or pesticides.
- Properly dispose of pet waste.
- Conserve water by taking shorter showers, fixing leaks, and turning off faucets when not in use.
