Virginia's Water Pollution: Impact On Residents' Lives

Water pollution is a pressing issue in Virginia, with a range of factors contributing to the degradation of water quality and subsequent impacts on the health and well-being of residents. From industrial operations releasing mercury into rivers to the natural process of erosion, the water bodies in Virginia are facing significant challenges. Population growth, agricultural practices, and even everyday activities like driving cars, all contribute to the problem. With contaminants finding their way into drinking water sources and the food chain, the risks to human health are evident, and the environment is suffering too. This complex issue requires urgent attention to safeguard the health and future of Virginia's residents and its natural resources.

Sewage and wastewater treatment plants

The creation of densely populated cities led to the need for a sewer system to manage human waste. The first sewer systems in Virginia, built once freshwater infrastructure was in place, simply transported raw sewage to riverbanks, using rivers as open sewers. It was only after World War Two that most wastewater treatment facilities were constructed. Today, sewage is treated through primary, secondary, and tertiary processes before being discharged back into rivers.

Primary treatment involves separating liquids from solids using screens and settling tanks. Secondary treatment typically includes biological and/or chemical processes, such as the activated sludge process, where bacteria break down organic matter and oxygen is pumped into the mixture. Tertiary treatment, or advanced treatment, involves coagulation, filtration, and disinfection to remove any remaining bacteria.

While wastewater treatment plants help to minimise contamination from sewage, they do not eliminate it completely. Population growth remains a significant challenge, as each new resident adds incremental impacts on the state's waterways.

Population growth

In Virginia, population growth has been slower than in recent decades, but it is still a significant factor in water pollution. The state's population increased by over 630,000 people between 2010 and 2020, reaching 8.63 million. This growth has had an impact on the state's water resources, with an increase in the number of people moving out of large metro areas, such as Northern Virginia, and into smaller cities and rural counties. This shift has resulted in higher home values and school enrollment in rural areas.

The basic problem with population growth and water pollution is that as more people move into a watershed, the waters experience greater impacts. The more people there are, the more water is used, and the more wastewater is produced. This can lead to an increase in contaminants and pollutants in the water, as well as a decrease in water quality.

Nonpoint source pollution, which comes from a variety of sources such as farmland and suburban lawns, is a major contributor to water pollution in Virginia. This type of pollution includes excess nutrients and sediments that can harm aquatic life and deplete oxygen levels. Population growth can increase nonpoint source pollution as more land is used for agriculture, housing, and industry.

Overall, population growth is a significant factor in water pollution and water scarcity, and it is important to address these issues through regulation, conservation, and the adoption of sustainable practices to protect water resources for future generations.

Industrial operations and mercury pollution

Mercury is a naturally occurring metal that is widespread and persistent in the environment. It exists in three forms: elemental or metallic mercury, inorganic mercury, and organic mercury. Most of the mercury in the atmosphere is elemental mercury vapour, but most of the mercury found in water, soil, plants, and animals is either inorganic or organic (methylmercury). The majority of mercury found in fish is methylmercury, which binds tightly to protein in all fish tissue.

Methylmercury is a particular concern as it can accumulate in fish tissue to levels that are toxic to humans. Exposure to high levels of methylmercury can permanently damage the brain, kidneys, and developing foetus, with effects including irritability, shyness, tremors, changes in vision or hearing, and memory problems. People can also develop digestive issues and kidney damage.

Industrial operations have released excessive amounts of mercury directly into Virginia's waterways, including the South River at Waynesboro and the North Folk of the Holston River at Saltville. In addition, mercury vaporised by coal combustion is redeposited across the land and subsequently washed by rain into streams, poisoning every waterbody in Virginia and even the furthest reaches of the oceans.

Bacteria transform the non-toxic form of elemental mercury into methylmercury, which bioaccumulates in fish. Therefore, eating fish is the principal way that people are exposed to methylmercury. People may also be exposed to other forms of mercury from breathing contaminated workplace air or through skin contact, particularly in occupations involving chemical or dental work. Exposure may also occur by breathing vapours in the air from spills, incinerators, and industries that burn mercury-containing fuels.

Natural processes and pollution

Natural processes and human activities have contributed to water pollution in Virginia, impacting the health and safety of its residents. While some pollution is expected in natural water bodies, human influence has exacerbated the issue, leading to harmful consequences.

One example of natural pollution is the presence of E. coli and other coliform bacteria in Virginia's waters. Wildlife, such as deer, geese, and fish, contribute to the presence of these bacteria, which have been in the state's waters for thousands of years. However, urban development and population growth have led to higher concentrations of wildlife in certain areas, increasing the levels of bacterial contamination in nearby water sources.

Additionally, natural processes like erosion and the decay of organic matter can impact water quality. In Virginia's karst environments, the interaction of acidic groundwater with limestone results in "hard" water, high in dissolved calcium ions. This process also contributes to the formation of caves and the etching of bedrock. Similarly, in southeast Virginia, the decay of organic matter in the Dismal Swamp can react with chlorine used in drinking water purification, leading to the creation of trihalomethanes, which have been linked to adverse health effects, including miscarriages.

Virginia's water bodies are also affected by pollutants from human activities. Coal combustion releases mercury into the environment, which is then washed into streams and water bodies by rainfall. This mercury is transformed by bacteria into methylmercury, which accumulates in fish and can cause nerve damage and mental health issues in humans who consume them. Industrial operations have also been responsible for releasing excessive mercury into rivers, further compounding the issue.

Agricultural practices and suburban lawn care contribute to water pollution as well. Cattle manure and fertilizer use result in excessive nitrogen and phosphorus runoff into waterways. Additionally, coal mining has severely impacted Straight Creek, a tributary of the Powell River, with unregulated sewage discharges and failing septic systems leading to high levels of bacteria and fish kills.

While natural processes contribute to some water pollution, human activities have significantly worsened the issue, leading to health risks and environmental degradation in Virginia. Corrective measures, such as those planned for Straight Creek, are necessary to restore the balance of aquatic life and ensure the safety of Virginia's residents.

Groundwater contamination

Groundwater is a vital natural resource, providing drinking water for over a million households in Virginia. However, it is also vulnerable to contamination from various sources, which can have detrimental effects on both the environment and human health. Here is an overview of the issue of groundwater contamination in Virginia, focusing on the impacts on residents:

Sources of Contamination

Groundwater in Virginia can become contaminated through a range of natural and human-induced factors. Natural processes such as rainfall and the interaction of groundwater with bedrock and soil can introduce chemicals like phosphorous and nitrogen into the water. Additionally, in karst landscapes, the groundwater tends to be "hard," meaning it has high levels of dissolved calcium ions due to the dissolution of limestone by acidic groundwater.

Human activities, however, are the primary contributors to groundwater contamination. Fertilizers, pesticides, motor oil, and other pollutants from farms, lawns, roads, and landfills can be washed into groundwater during rainfall or snowmelt. Leaking underground storage tanks, cracked septic tanks, and industrial operations can also release contaminants into the groundwater.

Health Risks

Contaminated groundwater poses significant risks to human health. For example, exposure to high levels of manganese in drinking water, which is often associated with reductive environments and acidic conditions, can lead to lowered IQ, increased infant mortality, and a higher incidence of cancer. Other contaminants, such as heavy metals, pesticides, and hormones, can also have detrimental effects on human health.

Environmental Impacts

Preventative Measures and Solutions

To address groundwater contamination, Virginia has implemented several measures. The Virginia Save Our Streams program, for instance, mobilizes volunteers to monitor local stream and creek water quality, providing valuable data to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Additionally, the DEQ is responsible for enforcing water quality standards and issuing permits for wastewater discharge.

To reduce contamination from nonpoint sources, which are the major threat to water quality, Low Impact Development (LID) projects are designed to minimize surface runoff and encourage the infiltration of rainwater into the ground. However, these projects must be properly designed and maintained to be effective.

A Complex Issue

Frequently asked questions