Preventing Water Pollution: Strategies And Innovations

Water pollution is a pressing issue that affects our rivers, reservoirs, lakes, and seas, which are being inundated with chemicals, waste, plastics, and other pollutants. It is a problem for which we are all accountable to some degree. However, there are numerous ways to prevent water contamination and mitigate its effects. From individual actions like reducing the use of pesticides and properly disposing of waste to governmental initiatives such as upgrading wastewater treatment facilities and implementing regulations, we can collectively work towards cleaner waterways. This introduction will explore these strategies and discuss their effectiveness in combating water pollution.

Upgrading wastewater treatment facilities

As the global population continues to grow, many wastewater treatment plants are in need of an upgrade to accommodate increased flow and a wider range of pollutants. Upgrading wastewater treatment facilities can be a challenging task, requiring careful planning and consideration of various factors. Here are some key aspects to focus on when discussing the upgrade of wastewater treatment facilities:

Planning and Design

Upgrading a wastewater treatment plant requires a comprehensive plan that takes into account the unique characteristics of the facility and the specific challenges it faces. This includes assessing the current state of the infrastructure, identifying areas that require improvement, and setting clear goals for the upgrade. It is crucial to involve stakeholders from utility companies, engineering firms, and equipment suppliers to ensure a holistic approach to the planning process.

Funding and Grants

Upgrading wastewater treatment plants can be costly, and securing adequate funding is essential. Federal grants, funding, and incentives are often available to support such projects. For example, in the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers revolving loan funds, and the United States Department of Agriculture provides grants for this purpose. These grants can help offset the costs of upgrades and encourage investment in sustainable and environmentally friendly technologies.

Technology and Efficiency

Investing in the latest wastewater treatment technologies can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of wastewater management. Upgrades can help reduce the environmental impact of wastewater treatment by improving treatment processes, reducing leakage, and promoting water reuse projects. Additionally, improving the efficiency of aeration equipment and investing in renewable power options can help reduce energy costs, which typically account for a significant portion of the plant's operational expenses.

Capacity and Sustainability

With increasing urbanisation, wastewater treatment plants must accommodate higher volumes of wastewater. Upgrades should focus on expanding treatment capacity while also prioritising sustainability and future-proofing the facility. For instance, the City of Sun Prairie, WI, upgraded its wastewater treatment facilities to meet growing demands, focusing on improving liquid treatment capacity and highly effective phosphorus removal, ensuring sustainability and resiliency for the future.

Environmental Impact

Upgraded wastewater treatment plants can play a crucial role in reducing pollution and protecting the environment. By implementing newer technologies, treatment plants can better remove heavy metals, organic chemicals, plastics, synthetic fibres, and other pollutants from wastewater. This not only improves the quality of treated water but also helps safeguard local ecosystems and water bodies from contamination.

In summary, upgrading wastewater treatment facilities is a complex but necessary undertaking to ensure efficient wastewater management and environmental protection. By addressing capacity, sustainability, and technological advancements, upgrades can help meet the demands of growing populations while minimising the impact of water pollution.

Reducing use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers

Reducing the use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers is an important step in preventing water pollution. These chemicals are used to kill pests and control weeds, but they can also have toxic effects on the environment and human health. Pesticides, in particular, have been found to contaminate both surface water and groundwater worldwide, with studies showing their presence in more than 90% of water and fish samples from US streams.

One way to reduce the use of these chemicals is to implement Best Management Practices (BMPs). BMPs can include reduced tillage or zero tillage systems, which lower the risk of soil erosion and increase soil organic matter content, thereby reducing the transport of pesticides into water bodies. Proper pesticide storage and disposal are also crucial, as accidental spills or contaminated containers can leak toxic chemicals into the environment. Additionally, selecting the appropriate pesticides, following recommended application techniques, and considering alternative methods like integrated pest management can help minimize their use.

Conservation headlands are another strategy, where headlands in fields are left unsprayed, promoting biodiversity and reducing the overall use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. Research from various countries has shown that reducing or stopping the application of these chemicals can have positive effects on invertebrates, plants, birds, and soil organisms. For example, a replicated study in Austria found that fields without pesticides or fertilizers had a greater diversity of ground beetles, with higher numbers of species and individuals.

To further reduce the use of pesticides, it is essential to address climate change-related factors that influence their application. Climate change can lead to increased pesticide usage, and efforts to mitigate climate change can help reduce the reliance on these chemicals. Additionally, individuals can play a role by being mindful of proper waste disposal, supporting regulations like the Clean Water Act, and advocating for updated wastewater treatment methods to handle modern contaminants.

Using porous pavement

Water pollution is a pressing issue, with our rivers, lakes and seas overwhelmed by chemicals, waste, plastics and other pollutants. While there are some simple ways to limit your contribution to water contamination, such as being mindful of what you pour into storm sewers, water pollution is largely a systemic issue.

One way that communities are tackling this issue is by using porous pavement, a special type of pavement that allows rain and snowmelt to pass through it, reducing runoff from a site into surrounding areas. Porous pavement can look identical to regular pavement, but it has an important environmental benefit. It allows water to trickle down through the usually impermeable street or sidewalk and back into the soil. This helps to reduce flooding and can also filter pollutants.

Porous pavement is particularly useful in low-traffic areas. It is best not to use porous pavement in areas that may generate contaminated runoff, or near drinking water supply areas. This is because porous pavement can be contaminated by road salt and sand, which will soak into the soil below and reduce the porosity of the pavement.

The use of porous pavement can also help to minimise the cost of storm drain infrastructure. This type of pavement is composed of open-pore pavers, concrete, or asphalt with an underlying stone reservoir. This reservoir stores precipitation and surface runoff, allowing it to slowly infiltrate into the soil below. This helps to reconnect precipitation with the soil and can reduce the negative impact of urbanisation on our lakes and streams.

Some cities in the US have already started to install porous pavement, including Portland, Oregon, and Dearborn, Michigan.

Cleaning up litter

Waterways are often filled with chemicals, waste, plastic, and other pollutants. One way to prevent water pollution is by cleaning up litter. Here are some tips for an effective cleanup:

Planning and Preparation

Before starting a cleanup, it is essential to have a plan and the right tools. Identify the area that needs to be cleaned and gather the necessary equipment, such as garbage bags, gloves, and litter grabbers. It is also good to check for any potential hazards, like broken glass or sharp objects, and dress appropriately, including closed-toe shoes and long pants. Additionally, consider joining or organizing a group cleanup event, as many hands make light work!

Techniques for Effective Litter Collection

When picking up litter, it is important to be thorough. Walk the area in both directions, as litter may be missed when walking in just one direction. If working with a partner, each take a different side to ensure maximum coverage. Remember to lift the garbage bag instead of dragging it to avoid tears and spills. Focus on removing human-made litter; leaves and branches are part of the natural environment and should be left alone.

Disposing of the Litter

Once the cleanup is complete, properly dispose of the collected litter. Ensure all garbage bags are securely tied to prevent the trash from spilling out during transport. Do not leave the filled bags unattended; wait until they are collected or ask local residents if the bags can be placed in a secure location until pickup.

Educating and Inspiring Others

Involving the Whole Family

Picking up litter can be a fun and educational activity for the whole family. Get everyone involved by assigning a specific number of pieces of trash to collect, like five items per person. Take photos of your findings and send them, along with a write-up of your experience, to organizations like the Nicodemus Wilderness Project, which will publish your story and recognize your family's efforts.

Supporting the Clean Water Act

The Clean Water Act (CWA) is the primary federal law in the United States that governs water pollution. It was enacted in 1948 as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and was significantly expanded in 1972. The CWA establishes the basic structure for regulating pollutant discharges into US waters and sets quality standards for surface waters.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for implementing and enforcing the CWA. The Act has given the EPA the authority to implement pollution control programs, such as setting wastewater standards for industry and developing national water quality criteria for pollutants in surface waters. The EPA also regulates all waste streams generated from offshore oil and gas activities and issues permits for discharges under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).

The CWA made it unlawful to discharge any pollutant from a point source into navigable waters without a permit. This includes discharges from industrial facilities, power plants, and offshore oil and gas extraction facilities. The Act also includes an anti-degradation policy that requires states and tribes to establish a three-tiered program to protect water quality. "Tier 1" requirements are applicable to all surface waters, while "Tier 3" requirements are for the highest quality waters in the US, known as "outstanding national resource waters" (ONRWs).

The CWA has been amended several times to address specific issues, such as oil pollution and military vessel discharges. For example, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) amended the CWA to strengthen contingency planning and increase penalties for non-compliance. In 1996, Congress amended the CWA to require the development of Uniform National Discharge Standards (UNDS) for military vessels, with the EPA publishing these standards in 2017 and 2020.

Frequently asked questions