Water Pollution: Practical Solutions For A Cleaner Future

Water pollution is a pressing environmental issue, with over 70% of the Earth's surface covered in water. Water pollution is caused by human activity, such as oil drilling, industrial waste, and agricultural processes, as well as natural phenomena like landslides and floods. It results in the contamination of water bodies, making them toxic for both the environment and humans. To combat water pollution, it is essential to understand its causes and implement effective solutions. This includes reducing the use of pesticides and fertilisers, properly managing stormwater, and treating wastewater to remove pollutants. Additionally, individuals can contribute by conserving water, properly disposing of waste, and supporting sustainable practices to protect natural habitats and water sources.

Reduce oil and chemical pollution

Oil spills and leaks are some of the most significant causes of water pollution. Oil drilling operations in the ocean are often to blame, but nearly half of the estimated 1 million tons of oil that enters marine environments each year comes from land-based sources like factories, farms, and cities. Oil not only makes drinking water unsafe, but it also destroys marine life and ecosystems and reduces the oxygen supply within the water environment.

To reduce oil pollution, it is important to prevent oil spills from occurring in the first place. The EPA has regulatory programs and response agencies in place to help prevent and manage oil spills, such as the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule and the Facility Response Plan (FRP) rule. These programs provide guidance, training, and resources to help facilities prevent and prepare for oil spills. In addition, mechanical methods such as the use of physical barriers and absorbent materials can be used to recover spilled oil and prevent its spread. Natural and synthetic absorbent materials, for example, have a sponge-like behavior, removing some of the spilled oils and serving as a physical barrier that limits oil migration.

When an oil spill does occur, chemical and biological methods can be used to clean it up and increase the oil's natural degradation processes. Spraying dispersants, for example, can make the oil more compact and ease the cleanup process, although they might affect wildlife and coral reefs. In some cases, controlled burning of spilled oil can be an effective method, similar to controlled forest burning to get rid of dry wood that may pose a hazard if left alone.

In addition to oil pollution, chemical pollution is another major contributor to water pollution. Chemical pollution is generated by the use of pesticides, human and animal drugs, household products, heavy metals, acids, and hydrocarbons used in industries. Industrial waste is a significant source of chemical water pollution, as many industrial sites produce toxic chemicals and pollutants and lack proper waste management systems. To reduce chemical pollution, it is important to improve waste management practices and regulate the use of toxic chemicals. Green agriculture, for example, limits the use of chemicals and employs efficient irrigation practices to reduce the amount of water used, which in turn reduces chemical runoff.

Improve sewage and wastewater treatment

Sewage and wastewater treatment are essential to reducing water pollution. Inadequate sewage collection and treatment are sources of water pollution. According to the United Nations, more than 80% of the world's wastewater is released back into the environment without proper treatment or reuse.

Wastewater treatment involves removing pollutants from wastewater through physical, chemical, or biological processes. The more efficient these processes are, the cleaner the resulting water. Wastewater treatment facilities in the United States process approximately 34 billion gallons of wastewater daily. The water is cleaned to standards set and monitored by state and federal officials before being released into local water bodies.

To improve sewage and wastewater treatment, several actions can be taken:

• Optimize treatment processes: Optimization can be a cost-effective strategy to enhance the efficiency of wastewater treatment plants. It involves reducing energy demand and treatment chemical usage, which can lead to cost savings. Optimization, combined with technological upgrades, can help achieve nutrient reduction goals and improve water quality.
• Implement new technologies: Newer technologies and approaches can improve the efficiency of energy, nutrient, and chemical recovery from treatment plants. Concepts like nutrient trading aim to control pollution load targets by allowing the exchange of nutrient reduction credits between point and non-point source dischargers. These initiatives can minimize nutrient pollution effects and reduce the financial burden of costly treatment plant upgrades.
• Improve sewage infrastructure: Upgrading and maintaining sewage infrastructure is crucial to preventing sewage spills and infrastructure failures. In the United States, these issues release approximately 900 billion gallons of under-treated sewage into surface waters annually. Proper maintenance and investments in infrastructure can help reduce sewage pollution and protect public health, local economies, and coastal ecosystems.
• Reduce sewage blockages: Educating the public about proper sewage usage is essential. Items such as dust cloths, wrappers, and tissues should be disposed of in wastebaskets instead of being flushed down the toilet. Grease and oils should also not be poured down the drain as they can cause blockages and lead to sewage backups. Proper disposal practices can help prevent blockages and ensure the normal flow and treatment of wastewater.
• Manage stormwater: Stormwater management is crucial as it reduces the runoff of rainwater or melted snow into streets, lawns, and other sites. In urban areas, stormwater can overwhelm sewer systems and treatment plants, leading to discharges of untreated wastewater into surface waterways or the ocean. Implementing measures such as directing roof downspouts into rain barrels or vegetated areas, skipping irrigation, and using native plants can help reduce runoff and improve water quality.

Adopt green agricultural practices

Agriculture accounts for 70% of global water usage, and it is a major contributor to water pollution. Farms discharge agrochemicals, organic matter, drug residues, sediments, and saline drainage into bodies of water. Pesticides, fertilisers, fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides are all used in agriculture and can contaminate water sources. Livestock excrement, manure, and methane emissions also contribute to water pollution.

To adopt green agricultural practices and reduce water pollution, consider the following:

• Nutrient Management: Farmers can improve nutrient management by applying the right amount of nutrients (fertiliser and manure) at the appropriate time of year, using the correct method, and placing them in the right location. This prevents excess nutrients from washing into waterways during rain or snow melt, or leaching into groundwater.
• Conservation Drainage: Conservation drainage practices, such as subsurface tile drainage, help manage water movement through soils. Other practices include modifying drainage system design and operation, using woodchip bioreactors, saturated buffers, and making changes to the drainage ditch system.
• Year-Round Ground Cover: Planting cover crops or perennial species prevents periods of bare ground on farm fields, reducing the risk of erosion and nutrient loss into waterways.
• Field Buffers: Planting trees, shrubs, and grasses along field edges, especially those bordering water bodies, helps prevent nutrient loss by absorbing or filtering out excess nutrients before they reach water sources.
• Crop Diversification: By diversifying crops, farmers can improve soil health and reduce the need for chemical fertilisers and pesticides, lowering the risk of water contamination.
• Contour Farming and Cover Cropping: These practices help prevent soil erosion and runoff, which can otherwise carry pollutants into water bodies.
• Organic Farming: Organic farming methods avoid synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, relying on natural means to enrich the soil and control pests.
• Agroforestry: Combining trees with crops or livestock on the same parcel of land provides multiple benefits. Trees act as filters, absorbing excess nutrients and pollutants, while also reducing soil erosion, improving soil fertility, increasing biodiversity, and providing alternative income streams for farmers.
• Sustainable Practices: Governments can play a role by developing and implementing policies that promote sustainable agricultural practices and providing financial incentives for farmers transitioning to these methods.

Improve stormwater management

Stormwater management is a critical aspect of reducing water pollution. Stormwater runoff is one of the fastest-growing sources of pollution, and it occurs when rainwater or melted snow flows over surfaces without soaking into the ground. This runoff collects pollutants such as animal waste, litter, salt, pesticides, fertilizers, oil, grease, and soil, which are then transported into storm sewers, creeks, and ditches. From there, the polluted water is emptied directly into streams and rivers without treatment, degrading lakes, rivers, wetlands, and other waterways.

To improve stormwater management, it is essential to focus on preventing and reducing stormwater runoff. Here are some key strategies to achieve this:

• Green Infrastructure: Green infrastructure utilizes plants, soil, and natural systems to manage stormwater runoff. It captures rainfall where it falls, allowing it to filter into the ground, replenishing groundwater supplies. Porous surfaces, such as permeable pavement and bioswales, are used in green infrastructure to capture, absorb, and filter stormwater, reducing the amount of runoff that reaches waterways. Green infrastructure also improves water quality by removing contaminants through adsorption, filtration, plant uptake, and the decomposition of organic matter.
• Rain Gardens and Rain Barrels: Planting rain gardens and using rain barrels can effectively capture and collect stormwater runoff. Rain gardens are designed to absorb stormwater, while rain barrels collect roof runoff, which can then be reused for landscaping or gardening, reducing the demand on water supplies.
• Proper Maintenance and Waste Disposal: Maintaining your neighborhood stormwater pond, clearing leaves and debris from storm drains, and properly disposing of waste are crucial. Never dump anything, including leaves and debris, down storm drains. Ensure that used motor oil, antifreeze, and other fluids are recycled, and fix any fluid leaks promptly.
• Reducing Runoff from Hard Surfaces: Hard surfaces, such as rooftops, paved areas, and sloped lawns, contribute to stormwater runoff. Green streets, which incorporate vegetated areas, shade trees, and permeable pavement, can help curb runoff from these surfaces. Additionally, maintaining your car and washing it at commercial car washes or on your lawn can reduce the amount of polluted water entering storm sewers.
• Reducing Driving: Driving contributes to air pollution, which can contaminate rainfall and, subsequently, our streams and lakes. Opting for alternative modes of transportation, such as buses, carpooling, or biking, even for just one day a week, can help reduce air pollution and, consequently, stormwater pollution.

Conserve and rejuvenate natural habitats

Conserving and rejuvenating natural habitats is crucial for maintaining ecosystem resilience and supporting biodiversity. Here are some ways to achieve this:

Raise Awareness and Educate

Public awareness and education are powerful tools for driving collective action and engaging individuals in habitat conservation. Workshops, school programs, and nature centres can inform people about the importance of wildlife habitat conservation and inspire positive environmental changes. Making scientific research on habitat conservation accessible through communication campaigns and popular articles can foster a broader understanding of conservation issues.

Promote Sustainable Land-Use Practices

Encourage sustainable land-use practices, such as agroforestry systems, urban parks, and roadside green spaces, which can provide valuable habitats for various species. Recognising the diversity of wildlife habitats and formulating conservation strategies tailored to specific needs is essential.

Protect and Restore Ecosystems

Advocate for policies that protect and restore essential ecosystems, such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, and forests. Participate in environmental activities that increase the natural resilience of these ecosystems and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Monitor and Maintain Restored Habitats

Ensure the long-term success of restoration projects through ongoing monitoring and maintenance. Regular monitoring allows conservationists to track the recovery of the habitat and adjust management practices. Maintenance activities, such as invasive species control and infrastructure upkeep, are crucial for preserving the ecological integrity of the restored ecosystem.

Reduce Water Usage

Conserve water resources by adopting water-saving practices, such as taking shorter showers, turning off faucets when not in use, and fixing leaky pipes. Reducing water usage helps maintain healthy aquatic habitats and ecosystems.

Frequently asked questions