Water Pollution In The Us: A Troubling Reality

Water pollution is a pressing issue in the United States, with the country's water sources facing contamination from various sources. From industrial waste and agricultural runoff to chemical handling accidents and household disposal, US waterways are inundated with pollutants. The Clean Water Act, enacted 50 years ago, aimed to address this issue, but recent reports indicate that it has fallen short of its goals. According to the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP), nearly half of the nation's rivers and streams are too polluted for swimming, recreation, or even drinking. This issue is further exacerbated by limited funding and budget cuts, hindering state environmental agencies' ability to effectively monitor and address water pollution. As a result, the health and safety of both people and wildlife are at risk, with waterborne illnesses and the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria becoming an increasing concern.

Industrial waste

In the United States, industrial waste has been a problem since the 1870s, with the issue worsening as the country underwent the Industrial Revolution and the Second Industrial Revolution. As factories expanded in the 19th century, so did pollution, with the introduction of steam engines in the mining and manufacturing sectors leading to larger volumes of heated water (thermal pollution). The onset of the Second Industrial Revolution brought about new heavy industries, generating larger volumes of industrial waste. This trend continued into the 20th century, with large-scale expansions in paper products manufacturing, for example, leading to additional types and quantities of waste.

Today, industrial pollution is caused by discharges and emissions from manufacturing plants, which continue to contaminate surface waters across the country. Many manufacturing processes generate wastewater, contributing to water pollution in rivers, lakes, and oceans. In 2015, the EPA identified fossil fuel power stations, particularly coal-fired plants, as the largest contributors to industrial water pollution. These power plants discharge toxic pollutants such as mercury, arsenic, and lead into surface waters.

Chemical companies, utilities, plastics and rubber manufacturers, mining companies, and petroleum and coal producers are among the top industries releasing contaminants into water sources. For instance, the Ohio River, which borders six states and provides drinking water to nearly 3 million people, has been polluted by various industries that have dumped about 600 million pounds of toxic substances, including ammonia and nitrates.

Inorganic chemical plants are some of the biggest industrial dischargers of toxic pollution in the US. These plants produce PVC and vinyl chloride, which can have severe environmental and health consequences if spilled. The EPA estimated that 229 of these chemical plants dumped 2 billion pounds of pollution into waterways in 2019, yet the EPA's outdated standards allow this pollution to continue.

Other notable instances of industrial water pollution include:

• Anaconda Aluminum in Montana, which produced manufacturing wastes that contaminated local water sources with lead and chromium
• Gulf States Utilities in Louisiana, which discharged toxins into marshlands, polluting waters with benzene and other chemicals
• Conklin Dumps in New York, which leaked volatile organic chemicals into groundwater
• Ford Motor Co. dumping more than 35,000 tons of toxic paint sludge in New Jersey, poisoning groundwater with arsenic, lead, and other harmful chemicals

Agricultural pollution

Water pollution in the United States has been an issue since the 1870s, with the Industrial Revolution and Second Industrial Revolution being major contributors. Today, industrial pollution is caused by emissions and discharges from manufacturing plants, which continue to pollute surface waters across the country. In addition, agricultural pollution is a significant contributor to water pollution in the United States.

The agricultural sector is the biggest consumer of freshwater resources globally, with farming and livestock production using about 70% of the world's surface water supplies. It is also a serious water polluter. In the United States, agricultural pollution is the leading cause of contamination in rivers and streams, the second-biggest source in wetlands, and the third main source in lakes. It also significantly contributes to the contamination of estuaries and groundwater.

Agricultural runoff, which occurs primarily during storms, washes fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste from farms and livestock operations into waterways. This runoff contains nutrients and pathogens, including bacteria and viruses, which can be harmful to human health. Nutrient pollution, caused by excess nitrogen and phosphorus, is the top threat to water quality worldwide and can lead to algal blooms, which are toxic to both people and wildlife.

In addition to waterborne pollution, airborne agricultural byproducts also contribute to water pollution. The heavy use of manures and fertilizers releases gases such as nitrogen oxides and ammonia, which can harm plants and ecosystems in national parks.

To minimize and contain water pollution from agriculture, various methods can be employed, including watershed efforts, nutrient management, cover crops, buffers, management of livestock waste, and drainage management. Buffers, for example, are small strips of land covered in plants that can remove pollutants such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment before they reach water bodies.

While there have been efforts to reduce the impact of farming on water quality, such as providing incentives to landowners to adopt better practices, the challenge of agricultural pollution persists. The focus on water pollution control has traditionally been on point source management, while non-point source pollution, which includes agricultural runoff, is more challenging to identify, measure, and control.

Fossil fuels

The extraction and transportation of fossil fuels pose significant risks to water sources. Oil spills, for instance, can leak from pipelines, drilling wells, and related infrastructure, polluting oceans, wetlands, freshwater sources, and other ecosystems, with detrimental effects on both human health and wildlife. While major oil spills, such as the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, are rare, thousands of smaller oil spills occur annually in the United States, each posing a threat to the environment and human well-being.

Coal extraction and combustion also contribute substantially to water pollution. Coal ash, a waste product from burning coal, can seep into waterways, contaminating them. Additionally, coal-fired power plants use scrubbers to remove hazardous chemicals from flue gas, and the resulting wastewater is often discharged into local waterways, containing contaminants such as arsenic, aluminum, boron, chromium, manganese, nickel, and lead.

Natural gas, while considered the cleanest fossil fuel in terms of power plant emissions, is not without its environmental impacts. The process of extracting natural gas through hydraulic fracturing or fracking requires forcing water, chemicals, and sand down a well at high pressure, which can lead to water contamination and the creation of contaminated wastewater. Leaks of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, from natural gas pipelines and plants further contribute to climate change and water pollution.

To conclude, the United States' reliance on fossil fuels significantly contributes to water pollution. As the country moves towards a cleaner energy future, it is essential to address the environmental and health impacts associated with the extraction, transportation, and combustion of fossil fuels, including water contamination and ecosystem disruption.

Sewage treatment

Water pollution in the United States is caused by a variety of factors, including agricultural, commercial, industrial, and residential activities. Sewage treatment is a critical aspect of addressing water pollution, as it aims to remove contaminants from sewage to produce an effluent that can be safely discharged into the environment or reused.

The sewage treatment process can be divided into several phases, namely primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment. Each phase targets different types of contaminants and plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe disposal or reuse of treated sewage.

Primary Treatment

Primary treatment involves the separation of solids (sludge) from liquids. During this phase, sewage is stored in a basin, allowing solids to settle at the bottom while oil and lighter substances rise to the top. These layers are then removed, and the remaining liquid is sent for secondary treatment.

Secondary Treatment

Secondary treatment focuses on removing dissolved and suspended biological matter. This is typically achieved through the use of microorganisms in a controlled environment. Aerobic bacteria are commonly used in this process, as they consume organic components such as sugar and fat. There are two main types of secondary treatment systems: fixed film systems, where bacteria grow on filters, and suspended growth systems, where "activated" sludge is mixed directly into the sewage. Oxygen is a critical factor in bacterial growth, so aeration is often employed to facilitate the decomposition process.

Tertiary Treatment

Tertiary treatment, sometimes referred to as "effluent polishing," is an additional step used when discharging treated sewage into sensitive ecosystems. This phase aims to further disinfect and purify the sewage beyond what is achieved in primary and secondary treatment. Sand filtration is one method used in tertiary treatment to remove particulate matter. Additionally, specific nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, which can cause algae blooms and excessive weed growth, are targeted for removal.

Advanced Treatment

In some cases, a quarternary or advanced treatment step may be included to address specific contaminants. This step focuses on the removal of organic micropollutants, such as pharmaceuticals. While this advanced treatment has been implemented in countries like Sweden, the selection of a suitable treatment technology depends on various factors, including economic considerations, land availability, and energy requirements.

In conclusion, sewage treatment plays a vital role in mitigating water pollution in the United States. By employing a combination of primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment methods, sewage treatment plants strive to produce an effluent that meets environmental standards and minimizes the impact of sewage discharge on the surrounding ecosystem.

Mining

The pollution from mining activities can persist long after a mine has closed. Abandoned mines can continue to contaminate water through acid mine drainage, the formation and movement of highly acidic water rich in heavy metals. This occurs when surface water and shallow subsurface water come into contact with rocks containing sulfur-bearing minerals, resulting in sulfuric acid. The acid can dissolve heavy metals, such as copper, lead, and mercury, which then leach into groundwater or surface water. The presence of certain bacteria can accelerate this process.

The impact of mining on water pollution is influenced by various factors, including the sensitivity of the local terrain, the composition of the minerals being mined, the technology employed, and the environmental commitment of the mining company. In the past, mining companies in the United States were allowed to move on once mines were no longer profitable, leaving behind tainted water that continues to leak out. This has resulted in thousands of abandoned mine sites across the country, many of which require long-term cleanup efforts.

To address water pollution from mining, several strategies are being explored. These include implementing new methods such as direct lithium extraction (DLE), which reduces water usage and the potential for toxic waste leakage. Additionally, microbial technologies are being developed to remove harmful toxins from mining waste and enable wastewater reuse. While these technologies show promise, further research and implementation on a commercial scale are needed.

The environmental impact of mining for critical minerals, such as lithium and cobalt, essential for renewable energy technologies, cannot be overlooked. Mining for these minerals can strain water supplies, especially in arid and water-stressed regions like the United States. Efforts to reduce the demand for new critical minerals through reuse, recycling, and increased public transportation are important steps towards mitigating the water pollution associated with mining.

Frequently asked questions