Preventing Microbiological Water Pollution: Strategies For Clean Water

Microbiological water pollution, caused by microorganisms, is a pressing issue that affects the health of people, especially in countries with limited access to clean water and inadequate sanitation. Waterborne diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, and fever are just a few of the serious health issues that can arise from consuming contaminated water. Sewage is the primary source of this type of pollution, but stormwater from industrial and commercial properties, food handling businesses, and even pet waste can also introduce harmful bacteria into our waterways. As a result, there is a growing demand for faster and more reliable monitoring methods to detect microbial contamination, with optical methods and turbidity measurements currently playing a significant role in assessing water quality.

How to Prevent Microbiological Water Pollution

Prevent sewage and faecal matter from entering water bodies

Preventing sewage and faecal matter from entering water bodies is essential to stop microbiological water pollution. Faecal matter can come from both human and animal sources and can contain harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites. For example, E. coli, a common bacterium found in faeces, can cause diarrhoea and other illnesses if ingested.

There are several ways to prevent sewage and faecal matter from entering water bodies. One way is to ensure that sewage is treated before being discharged into water systems. This can be done through the implementation of decentralised sewage treatment plants or the use of treatment methods such as phyto-remediation and bioremediation. Phyto-remediation, or the use of constructed floating wetlands, involves using natural processes to treat sewage and can be effective in removing pollutants. Bioremediation, on the other hand, uses microbial treatment to break down and neutralise contaminants.

Another way to prevent sewage and faecal pollution is to promote better waste management practices. This includes properly disposing of pet waste, as dog faeces can be a source of pollution in creeks, rivers, and lakes. Additionally, businesses that handle food, such as grocery stores and restaurants, should take steps to prevent bacteria pollution, as they have a high potential for releasing bacteria into waterways. Implementing low-impact development practices can also help protect water quality by infiltrating, evapotranspiring, or using stormwater.

Furthermore, it is important to regularly monitor water quality to detect any signs of faecal contamination. This can be done through laboratory testing for the presence of faecal indicator organisms (FIOs) such as intestinal enterococci and E. coli. By identifying specific genotypes of coliphages, which are present in both human and animal faecal sources, the source of contamination can be determined and addressed. This is especially important in recreational waters to ensure they are safe for human use.

In summary, preventing sewage and faecal matter from entering water bodies requires a combination of proper sewage treatment, improved waste management practices, and regular water quality monitoring. By implementing these measures, we can help reduce the risk of microbiological water pollution and protect the health of both humans and the environment.

Reduce stormwater runoff from industrial and commercial properties

Stormwater runoff from industrial and commercial properties can be a major source of microbiological water pollution, affecting local waterways. Implementing effective stormwater management practices is critical to reducing pollution and preserving water quality. Here are some strategies to reduce stormwater runoff:

Implement Stormwater Management Practices

Develop and execute a comprehensive plan to address the specific needs of your property. This may include installing stormwater detention ponds, retention basins, or infiltration systems to capture, treat, and manage runoff effectively. Detention ponds, for instance, collect stormwater, slowly releasing it until it drains, while retention ponds are designed to permanently hold water.

Green Infrastructure and Low Impact Development

Incorporate natural features into the property's landscaping to handle and treat stormwater. This includes landscape features like rain gardens, vegetated swales, and green roofs. These features mimic natural hydrological processes, allowing water to soak into the ground, get absorbed by vegetation, or evaporate. Green infrastructure reduces runoff volume, prevents pollutants from reaching water bodies, and saves costs associated with paving and piping.

Reduce Impervious Surfaces

Minimize the amount of impervious surfaces, such as concrete and asphalt, which prevent water from soaking into the ground. Instead, consider using permeable surfaces, like permeable cement pavers in walkways and parking lots, that allow stormwater to filter through, improving water filtration and reducing runoff volume.

Spill Prevention and Response Plan

Develop a comprehensive spill prevention and response plan to address potential hazards. Establish clear guidelines and protocols for spill prevention, including training employees on the proper handling and storage of hazardous materials. Ensure employees are educated on their role in minimizing runoff and pollution, increasing their participation in maintaining a clean environment.

Regular Grounds Maintenance

For commercial properties, regular and proper grounds management is essential. This includes activities such as weekly mowing during the growing season, spring and fall cleanups, bed edging, fertilization, mulching, and tree and shrub pruning. Healthy soil and healthy plant roots help control erosion and facilitate smoother stormwater management.

By implementing these strategies, industrial and commercial properties can significantly reduce stormwater runoff, contributing to the preservation of water quality and the overall well-being of the environment.

Clean up after pets to prevent contamination of creeks, rivers and lakes

Pet waste that is not cleaned up can cause pollution in creeks, rivers, and lakes. This waste can contain harmful bacteria and parasites that can contaminate water sources and make people and animals sick. Therefore, it is important to always clean up after your pet and dispose of their waste properly to prevent water pollution and protect the environment.

• Pick up pet waste immediately: Use a bag or a scooper to pick up your pet's waste when walking them or when they relieve themselves in your yard. There are specific pet waste bags available that are designed to be eco-friendly and biodegradable.
• Dispose of pet waste in the trash: The proper way to dispose of pet waste is to throw it in the garbage. Modern landfills are well-regulated and designed to protect the environment from contaminants. Avoid flushing pet waste down the toilet, as it can contribute to sewage issues and still end up in waterways.
• Use designated waste stations: When walking your pet in public spaces, look for designated pet waste stations that provide bags and trash receptacles specifically for pet waste disposal. These stations are often placed near creeks, rivers, or lakes to encourage proper disposal and prevent water contamination.
• Compost pet waste responsibly: In some cases, pet waste can be composted, but it requires careful management. Educate yourself on safe composting practices for pet waste, including the use of high temperatures to kill harmful bacteria and parasites.
• Encourage responsible pet ownership: Educate other pet owners about the importance of cleaning up after their pets and the impact it has on water quality. Share information on proper waste disposal methods and the environmental consequences of improper disposal.

By following these steps and being mindful of the impact of pet waste on water pollution, you can help prevent the contamination of creeks, rivers, and lakes, contributing to a healthier environment for everyone.

Monitor water quality through turbidity measurements

Turbidity refers to the concentration of solid particles in water, which can include bacteria and pathogens. These particles can cause waterborne diseases and negatively impact the taste and texture of beverages. Therefore, monitoring water quality through turbidity measurements is essential for ensuring safe drinking water and maintaining the health of aquatic ecosystems.

Turbidity measurements are a critical component of water quality control in treatment plants. By regularly measuring turbidity levels, plant operators can adjust their treatment operations to ensure that the water is safe for consumption. This is particularly important as turbidity levels can vary daily in drinking water sources.

There are various methods and instruments available for monitoring turbidity. One common approach is to use turbidity meters, which can be installed in water treatment plants or used as portable handheld devices for field testing. These meters provide simple, accurate, and rapid measurements of turbidity levels.

In addition to turbidity meters, other techniques such as transmitted, forward-scatter, and back-scatter methods can be used to measure ultra-high turbidity. These methods are known as ratio turbidimetry and are applied in various fields, including monitoring the fat content in milk. It's important to note that factors like colour can influence turbidity measurements, and more advanced optical, acoustic, or capacitive instrumentation may be required for accurate results.

Overall, monitoring water quality through turbidity measurements is a crucial step in preventing microbiological water pollution. By regularly measuring turbidity, water treatment plants can identify potential bacterial and pathogen growth and take appropriate action to ensure the safety of the water supply. This helps to protect public health and maintain the well-being of aquatic ecosystems.

Treat water with nanofiltration, reverse osmosis or membrane distillation

Nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, and membrane distillation are all highly effective methods of treating microbiologically polluted water.

Nanofiltration is a process that uses a membrane with a pore size of around 0.001 microns to filter out contaminants. It is effective at removing most organic molecules, nearly all viruses, and most natural organic matter, as well as some natural minerals, especially divalent ions, which cause hard water. It is often used to soften hard water. However, it does not remove dissolved compounds.

Reverse osmosis is a similar process that uses a membrane with an even smaller pore size of around 0.0001 microns. This method results in water that is essentially pure, free of all organic molecules and viruses, as well as most minerals. It removes monovalent ions, which means it also desalinates water. While this is beneficial for removing harmful minerals like salt and lead, it also removes healthy minerals like calcium and magnesium. To counteract this, water treated by reverse osmosis can be passed through a mineral bed containing these minerals, which will add them back into the water while also increasing pH and decreasing corrosive potential.

Membrane distillation (MD) is an emerging technology that uses low-grade heat to drive water vapour across a microporous hydrophobic membrane. It has been proven effective at recovering freshwater from streams with a wide range of salinities. However, MD is susceptible to biofouling, which can be mitigated through physical and chemical cleaning strategies.

All three of these methods are highly effective at removing microbiological contaminants from water, and each has its own unique advantages and considerations. Nanofiltration and reverse osmosis are particularly effective at removing viruses and organic molecules, while membrane distillation offers an efficient way to desalinate water.

Frequently asked questions