Meghan Hodges
Water pollution is a pressing global issue that requires immediate attention. It refers to the contamination of water bodies, including rivers, lakes, and oceans, and groundwater, by various sources such as industrial waste, agricultural run-off, sewage, and chemicals. This degradation of water quality has severe environmental, economic, and health implications. To combat water pollution, a range of methods can be employed, from individual actions to community initiatives and industrial processes. This article will explore specific, practical ways to control water pollution and improve water quality, covering various aspects, from everyday habits to large-scale solutions.
How to Control Water Pollution
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Identify the source | Point sources have one identifiable cause of pollution, such as a storm drain or wastewater treatment plant. Non-point sources are more diffuse, such as agricultural runoff. |
| Understand the type of water body impacted | Groundwater, surface water, or ocean water. |
| Implement regulations and standards | The Clean Water Act, for example, regulates point source water pollution and gives the EPA authority to set limits. |
| Improve sanitation and sewage treatment | Treating sewage removes pathogens and harmful chemicals, protecting aquatic life and public health. |
| Manage industrial wastewater | Most industrial processes have specialized facilities to treat wastewater, but some discharge untreated chemicals. |
| Address agricultural wastewater | Farms can implement wastewater treatment to control pollution from confined animal operations and chemical runoff. |
| Control erosion | Erosion control at construction sites can help prevent water pollution. |
| Manage urban runoff | Effective control includes reducing the speed and quantity of flow. |
| Utilize market-based approaches | Water Quality Trading (WQT) is a market-based approach that improves or maintains water quality through the exchange of pollution reduction credits. |
| Educate and enforce | Environmental education and stricter enforcement of regulations are important tools in pollution control. |
| Reduce plastic usage | Plastics are a significant contributor to water pollution. |
What You'll Learn
Sewage treatment
There are many sewage treatment processes, ranging from decentralized systems (including on-site treatment systems) to large centralized systems involving a network of pipes and pump stations that convey sewage to a treatment plant. The latter is also known as sewerage. For cities with a combined sewer system, sewers will also carry urban runoff (stormwater) to the sewage treatment plant.
Tertiary treatment, or advanced treatment, is a final treatment stage to further improve effluent quality before it is discharged into a receiving water body or reused. This may include biological nutrient removal, disinfection, and the partial removal of micropollutants, such as environmental persistent pharmaceutical pollutants. Treated water may be disinfected chemically or physically before being discharged into a stream, river, bay, lagoon, or wetland, or it may be used for irrigation or groundwater recharge if sufficiently clean.
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Industrial wastewater treatment
Most industries, such as petroleum refineries and chemical plants, have specialised facilities to treat their wastewater. This ensures that pollutant concentrations comply with regulations regarding disposal into sewers or water bodies like rivers, lakes, or oceans. Some industries opt for pre-treatment systems to partially treat wastewater before discharging it into the municipal sewer system.
The treatment process typically begins with an evaluation of the water and its circumstances to determine the necessary treatment methods and specifications. Two common treatment types are chemical treatment and mechanical filtration, which are quite distinct. Chemical precipitation, neutralisation, adsorption, disinfection, and ion exchange are among the most widely used chemical treatment processes. Adsorption, for instance, involves removing soluble molecules by attaching them to the surface of a solid substrate. Disinfection, on the other hand, aims to inactivate pathogens like microbes, viruses, and protozoan. Mechanical filtration, although not elaborated on in the sources, likely involves physical processes to remove solid contaminants.
In some cases, individual companies may not possess the required permits or resources to treat their own wastewater effectively. This is where professional wastewater treatment facilities come in, offering their expertise, permits, and technical knowledge to treat and dispose of industrial wastewater safely and affordably.
Wastewater treatment is particularly crucial for certain industries. For instance, the pulp and paper industry uses substantial volumes of water and chemicals like acids and chlorine in its processes, resulting in wastewater containing contaminants such as acids, chlorine, chloroform, and phenols. Similarly, textile manufacturing requires large amounts of water and chemical products, and improper disposal of the resulting wastewater can lead to environmental pollution.
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Agricultural wastewater treatment
One effective strategy for agricultural wastewater treatment is the implementation of advanced wastewater treatment plants. These facilities are designed to economically and reliably treat tough industrial wastewaters. For example, Saltworks Technologies offers a range of solutions, such as balancing pH and alkalinity, filtering suspended solids and hydrocarbons, and targeting specific ion pollutants. With appropriate systems in place, most of the water used in agriculture can be recovered, re-enriched with nutrients, and reused, minimizing the environmental impact of wastewater discharge.
In addition to centralized treatment plants, decentralized wastewater treatment options are also available. Waste stabilization ponds, for instance, offer a low-cost treatment option for sewage, utilizing UV light (sunlight) to degrade certain pollutants. Furthermore, decentralized treatment methods, such as nature-based solutions or onsite sewage facilities, can be employed to treat municipal wastewater.
Another important aspect of agricultural wastewater treatment is the reuse of treated wastewater for irrigation. This approach not only helps address water shortages but also ensures efficient water usage. By reusing municipal wastewater, the risk of groundwater contamination is reduced, and the environmental impact of wastewater discharge is mitigated. However, it is crucial to address safety concerns related to trace organic contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other pollutants, that may be present in treated wastewater.
To further enhance agricultural wastewater treatment, it is essential to adopt holistic approaches that combine multiple strategies. This includes implementing integrated control measures, considering trans-boundary aspects, and utilizing complementary and supplementary control measures. Additionally, market-based economic instruments, such as charges, subsidies, deposit or refund schemes, and the creation of a market in pollution credits, can provide incentives for pollution control and encourage the adoption of best available technologies (BAT) or best practicable environmental options (BPEO).
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Erosion control
Erosion can occur due to various factors, including water, wind, and human activities, and it can significantly impact the health and productivity of the land. To prevent erosion, a combination of physical, chemical, and biological methods can be employed.
One method is to use barriers such as rocks, sediment control logs, perimeter control fencing, and vegetation to slow down the flow of water and wind, preventing erosion. Vegetative barriers, such as deep-rooted native plants, wildflowers, and woody perennials, can effectively impede the flow of water and prevent erosion. Mulching is often used in the early stages of growing shrubs or seedlings, as it helps to control erosion by modifying soil temperature and conserving moisture.
Another strategy is to use soil stabilizers, such as polymers and cement, to bind soil particles together and prevent erosion. The use of pesticides and herbicides can also help control erosion-causing vegetation. Erosion control blankets, geotextiles, mats, and various plastic covers are also effective in controlling soil erosion, especially during construction projects. These measures hold the soil in place and allow vegetation to grow, protecting the soil from wind and rain.
Additionally, drainage systems, such as ditches and swales, can redirect water away from erodible areas, and retention ponds can be used to control runoff. Underground Detention Systems provide a low-impact solution, eliminating the need for costly and erosion-prone above-ground drainage systems.
Permanent seeding, which aims to establish a diverse plant community, can also help stabilize the soil and prevent erosion over the long term. Energy dissipaters, such as check dams, riprap, and gabions, are structures designed to absorb and disperse the energy of flowing water, reducing its erosive power. These methods are essential for any construction or land development project to minimize the risk of erosion and its associated environmental impacts.
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Urban runoff control
Urban runoff, including stormwater, is a significant source of water pollution. As natural surfaces like forests and fields are replaced by impervious, water-resistant surfaces in urban areas—such as streets, parking lots, and buildings—rainwater collects contaminants such as sediment, bacteria, oils, metals, and other pollutants. These surfaces prevent rainwater from soaking into the ground and being absorbed and released by plants.
To control urban runoff, several measures can be implemented:
- Reduce the speed and quantity of flow: Slowing down the flow of stormwater can help reduce the impact of urban runoff. This can be achieved by implementing permeable paving or patterns of cement and brick that allow water to filter through, reducing the amount of water flowing into the sewer system.
- Direct rooftop runoff to vegetated areas: Instead of directing rooftop runoff to storm drains, it can be redirected to vegetated areas, where the water can be absorbed by plants and filtered naturally.
- Maintain septic systems: Regular inspections, maintenance, and pumping of septic systems are crucial to prevent failures that can lead to costly repairs and pollution of nearby water bodies.
- Properly dispose of pet waste: Scooping and properly disposing of dog waste and keeping animals out of streams help reduce the amount of waste entering water bodies.
- Compost manure in designated areas: Composting manure in designated areas ensures that it doesn't wash off into nearby waterways, reducing the pollution load.
- Reduce impervious surfaces: Increasing the amount of vegetated land cover in urban areas can help absorb stormwater and reduce runoff.
- Educate the community: Educating residents about the impacts of stormwater runoff and providing information on proper waste disposal, vehicle maintenance, and other pollution-reducing practices can empower individuals to make small changes that collectively have a significant impact.
- Support local water programs: Investing in local storm or surface water programs can help maintain the stormwater system, prevent flooding, and protect natural resources.
By implementing these strategies, communities can effectively manage urban runoff and minimize its contribution to water pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies, which has a negative impact on their uses. Water pollution is usually a result of human activities. Water bodies include lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers, reservoirs, and groundwater.
Water pollution is caused by the introduction of contaminants into water bodies. Contaminants can include sewage discharges, industrial activities, agricultural activities, and urban runoff. Other causes include the use of detergents and fertilizers, and the discharge of chemical wastes and byproducts.
Water pollution can lead to the degradation of aquatic ecosystems and the spread of water-borne diseases when people use polluted water for drinking, bathing, or irrigation. It can also reduce the ecosystem services provided by the water resource, such as drinking water.
Water pollution can be controlled through a variety of methods, including wastewater treatment, erosion control, and the implementation of pollution prevention and control measures. Other solutions include improving sanitation, agricultural wastewater treatment, and control of urban runoff.
