Brian Barton
Rivers are a source of drinking water, food production, and support agriculture, but unfortunately, most rivers in the world are heavily polluted. The main sources of pollution are industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and physical pollution such as litter. To keep rivers clean, individuals can reduce water pollution by segregating household garbage, reducing vehicle use, and supporting organic farmers. Local trusts and neighborhood associations also carry out regular litter picks and offer volunteer opportunities for cleanup. Additionally, public-private partnerships and stricter enforcement of environmental regulations are crucial in tackling river pollution.
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What You'll Learn
Reduce the use of cars and other motor vehicles
Cars and other motor vehicles are a major source of pollution. Motor oil and other substances can wash from streets into waterways, harming wildlife, fish, and ecosystems. Therefore, reducing the use of cars and other motor vehicles is an effective way to keep rivers clean and pollution-free.
One way to reduce vehicle usage is to opt for walking or biking for shorter distances. For longer distances, public transportation, such as buses or trains, can be utilised. Carpooling is also an excellent option if public transportation is not accessible. These alternatives not only reduce pollution but also offer cost savings.
Another strategy to minimise vehicle usage is to consolidate trips. When getting deliveries or shopping online, requesting all packages to be sent together in one shipment helps optimise delivery routes and prevents unnecessary extra trips. Similarly, planning errands or combining multiple tasks in one trip can reduce overall vehicle usage.
Additionally, it is essential to maintain vehicles and keep them in good repair. Regular oil changes and adhering to the owner's manual for maintenance are crucial. Newer vehicles have complex emission controls, and ensuring these controls are functioning properly keeps the vehicle running cleaner. Fixing oil leaks promptly and being careful when adding oil are also important to prevent oil from reaching waterways.
Finally, when purchasing a vehicle, consider choosing the cleanest and most fuel-efficient option within your budget. Electric, hybrid, and fuel-efficient vehicles emit fewer pollutants. While they may have a higher initial cost, prices are becoming more affordable as they become more common. Additionally, choosing quality fuel can help reduce emissions, and observing speed limits and driving smoothly can also decrease fuel usage and pollution.
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Dispose of dog waste responsibly
Dog waste contains harmful organisms like E. coli, Leptospira, and roundworms, which can cause gastrointestinal problems and skin reactions. These organisms can survive in contaminated soil and water for years, making the water unsafe for swimming and other activities. Therefore, it is important to dispose of dog waste properly.
Firstly, always pick up after your dog when walking them. Carry a plastic bag or attach a small bag or pouch to your dog's leash so that you can always carry a supply of baggies. You can also reuse materials like plastic bread bags, plastic newspaper sleeves, or plastic produce bags as scooping baggies.
Once you have picked up the waste, dispose of it in a sealed bag in the trash. You can also flush it down the toilet, but only do this if it is permitted in your local area. Some people choose to compost their dog's waste, but this must be done carefully. The compost heap must exceed 165 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately five days to safely sterilize the manure. Most backyard compost systems do not reach this temperature, and the Environmental Protection Agency advises against using composted dog waste on crops for human consumption.
If you have a large amount of dog waste to dispose of, you may want to consider a doggy dooley septic system. These can be installed in your yard, but it is important to ensure they are effective in cold temperatures and can handle the amount of waste you need to dispose of. Alternatively, you can bag the waste and send it out with your weekly trash pickup, but be sure to double bag it and tie knots on both bags to ensure it is properly sealed and does not pose a risk to garbage collectors.
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Only flush the 3 Ps: pee, poo, and (toilet) paper
Protect your pipes and the environment by only flushing the 3 Ps: Pee, Poo, and (Toilet) Paper.
Flushing anything else can cause a sewer blockage in your home or a blockage in the main sewer known as a 'fatberg'. Fatbergs occur when fats, oils, and greases (FOG) combine with wipes and other flushed products, forming masses in sewer lines. These blockages can cause sewer overflows, endangering public health and the environment, and are expensive to remove.
Even wipes labelled as 'flushable' do not break down as efficiently as toilet paper. The best way to dispose of wipes, tissues, and paper towels is in the bin.
Toilet paper is designed to dissolve in water, but even tissues will not dissolve and can cause problems. If you are out of toilet paper, seal any substitute products in a plastic bag and dispose of them in the trash.
Take the pledge to only flush the 3 Ps and help keep our wastewater system working well!
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Avoid dumping anything in storm drains
Storm drains are not trash cans. Whatever is dumped into them ends up in our rivers and streams, causing water quality issues in local streams. It is a common misconception that storm drains lead to a wastewater treatment plant. In reality, in many urban and rural settings, the water entering drains receives no treatment and is discharged directly into the closest waterway.
As a vehicle owner, there are a number of things you can do to minimize the pollution entering our waterways. For example, when adding oil, make sure any used oil is properly recycled. If your car has sprung an oil leak, get it fixed. Oil leaks from our cars are eventually sent down storm drains and end up in the watershed. Similarly, when washing your car, do so on a grassy surface so that the dirty and soapy water can be absorbed by plants and soil, preventing it from washing into a storm drain.
Other products that should be properly disposed of include paint, herbicides, pesticides, and swimming pool chemicals. These should be brought to a facility for proper disposal. Be careful to clean up after any spills and avoid allowing any chemicals to reach the storm drains. Lawn debris, such as grass and tree clippings, should never be swept into a storm drain or onto a street. They provide excess nutrients and promote unnecessary algae growth, which can cause severe negative impacts.
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Volunteer for cleanup events and neighbourhood plantings
Volunteering for cleanup events and neighbourhood plantings is a great way to keep rivers clean and pollution-free. Many neighbourhood associations offer volunteer opportunities for cleanup events, plantings, and other activities to create more green space and promote watershed health.
For instance, Portland Parks & Recreation offers a range of volunteer opportunities, including park cleanups at locations across the city. You can also join the Emerald Necklace Conservancy email list and receive invitations to cleanups and planting projects. The Conservancy also offers a "Day in the Dirt" volunteer program, where you can assist staff with projects ranging from trash cleanups to invasive plant removal, plantings, and other ecological restoration tasks.
Friends of Trees is another great option, as they hold planting events in neighbourhoods and natural areas, allowing you to sign up as a volunteer or to get a tree for your property. Solve Oregon is an organization that holds cleanup events around the state to remove litter and trash.
If you live near the Hudson River, Riverkeeper can help you organize a cleanup or habitat restoration project. Similarly, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation provides workshops and restoration events where you can learn about clean-water projects, such as building a rain barrel or planting a stream buffer.
In addition to these organized events, you can take individual action by adopting a storm drain to keep it clear and functioning, as well as being mindful of what goes down your own drain at home.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some ways to keep rivers clean:
- Dispose of motor oil properly and fix any oil leaks.
- Avoid dumping anything into storm drains as it may end up in rivers and streams.
- Pick up after your dog. Dog poop contains harmful organisms like E. coli, Leptospira, and roundworms that can wash into rivers and harm wildlife.
- Reduce the use of dangerous chemicals in your home and yard.
- Cut down on vehicle use.
- Volunteer for cleanup events in your community.
River pollution can contaminate sources of fresh drinking water, which is essential for human survival. Polluted rivers can also disrupt trading routes, cultural sites, and human settlements that have relied on rivers throughout history.
The main sources of river pollution are industry, agriculture, and poor water management practices. For example, pesticides and fertilizers from farms can contaminate rivers and cause abnormal algae growth. Livestock farming can also contaminate rivers when manure, topsoil, and other animal waste wash into waterways. In addition, urban runoff, road drainage, and atmospheric deposition can introduce pollutants into rivers.
