Protecting Our Oceans: Combating Water Pollution

Water is a universal solvent, making it vulnerable to pollution. Our oceans, rivers, reservoirs, lakes, and seas are filled with chemicals, waste, plastic, and other pollutants. Water pollution is a widespread problem that is endangering our health and the environment. It is therefore crucial to protect our water sources from contamination. This can be achieved through individual actions such as reducing plastic use, properly disposing of hazardous waste, and conserving water, as well as community efforts like participating in cleanups and advocating for better waste management laws. Additionally, watershed protection is essential as it involves managing the entire watershed that drains into a river, lake, or stream. By taking these steps, we can help safeguard our finite drinkable water sources and protect the Earth from water pollution.

Reduce plastic use and littering

Plastic is one of the most significant contributors to water pollution. Millions of tons of plastic end up in the ocean each year, posing a severe threat to marine life. Animals can become entangled in plastic waste or ingest it, mistaking it for food. Plastic pollution also releases toxic chemicals into the water, causing irreversible damage to the environment.

To reduce plastic use, it is essential to recognize the prevalence of single-use plastics in our daily lives and make a conscious effort to switch to reusable alternatives. This includes opting for reusable bags, containers, bottles, and cutlery instead of their disposable counterparts. For example, carry a reusable bag when shopping, use a garment bag for dry cleaning, bring your own cutlery to the office, and invest in a reusable bottle for your drinks. These small changes can significantly reduce your plastic consumption and have a positive impact on the environment.

Another effective way to reduce plastic waste is to support and promote recycling initiatives. Check with your local recycling program to understand which types of plastic they accept and properly sort your recyclables accordingly. Look into specific recycling streams for plastic bags, wraps, and films, as these items often cannot be placed in household recycling bins. Additionally, when possible, purchase products made from recycled plastic materials, such as bubble wrap with recycled content, to support the recycled plastic market.

Littering is another critical issue that contributes to water pollution. When trash is not disposed of properly, it can easily find its way into waterways, endangering aquatic life and disrupting ecosystems. To combat this, it is essential to dispose of waste responsibly and encourage others to do the same. This includes properly securing garbage and recycling bags to prevent items from becoming litter and ensuring that hazardous waste is never poured down drains or into storm sewers, as this can contaminate local water sources. Participating in community cleanup events is also a great way to reduce litter and protect our water sources.

By taking these steps to reduce plastic use and littering, we can make a significant impact in the fight against water pollution, safeguarding our planet's precious water sources for future generations.

Improve sewage and wastewater treatment

Protecting the Earth from water pollution is of utmost importance, as unsafe water kills more people annually than war and all other forms of violence combined. One critical aspect of this endeavour is improving sewage and wastewater treatment. Here are some detailed suggestions to address this issue:

Firstly, it is essential to recognize the role of infrastructure and investment in sewage treatment. While federal investments have been made in the form of grants and state revolving fund loans, the overall investment has not kept pace with the ageing infrastructure. This has resulted in a significant spending gap over a prolonged period. Therefore, increased investment in upgrading and maintaining sewage treatment infrastructure is crucial to keeping up with the demands of sprawling development and climate change.

Secondly, the treatment standards for sewage treatment plants need to be more comprehensive. Currently, they often fail to address the control of excess nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, which contribute to excessive nutrient levels in water bodies, leading to the creation of "dead zones." Implementing stricter treatment standards that mandate the removal of these excess nutrients can help alleviate this issue.

Thirdly, permit limits and conditions associated with sewage treatment plants should be more protective of the environment. There are instances where even permitted facilities do not comply with their permits, and some permits allow for the bypass of treatment processes. This results in billions of gallons of raw or partially treated sewage ending up in our waters annually. Thus, stricter enforcement of permit requirements and the elimination of bypass allowances are necessary to ensure the proper treatment of sewage.

Additionally, it is worth noting that the volume of sewage and wastewater is expected to increase with population growth and global wealth, leading to even more significant amounts of dangerous chemicals, toxic substances, and debris in our wastewater. This highlights the urgency of investing in sewage treatment infrastructure and improving treatment processes to handle this growing volume effectively.

Lastly, individuals can play a role in improving sewage and wastewater treatment. Properly disposing of hazardous waste, such as prescription and over-the-counter drugs, is crucial, as these substances can contaminate groundwater and nearby surface water if flushed or poured down the drain. Furthermore, reducing plastic waste and properly disposing of trash can help prevent plastic pollution from reaching our oceans and harming marine life.

Conserve water

Water is a precious and limited resource, and water conservation is essential to protect our planet from the harmful effects of water pollution. Water pollution occurs when toxic substances contaminate our rivers, reservoirs, lakes, and oceans, degrading water quality and rendering it unsafe for humans and the environment. Here are some ways to conserve water and help reduce water pollution:

Fix Leaks and Install Water-Efficient Fixtures

Small household leaks can add up to significant water loss over time. Regularly check for leaks in your plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems, and fix any dripping taps or leaking pipes. Upgrade to water-efficient taps, showers, and toilets to minimize water usage and heating costs.

Reduce Waste and Recycle

Avoid using single-use plastic items such as water bottles, straws, and plastic containers, as they can remain in the environment for years and contribute to water pollution. Opt for reusable alternatives like refillable water bottles, cloth bags, and bar soap. Participate in community clean-up events to help remove trash from our waterways and recycle as much as possible.

Make simple changes in your daily routine, such as taking shorter showers instead of baths, using a dishwasher or washing machine only when fully loaded, and scraping dishes instead of rinsing them before loading. Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the tap run, and add food scraps to a compost pile instead of using a garbage disposal.

Water-Smart Landscaping

Create a water-smart landscape by choosing drought-resistant plants that require less watering. Use mulch and bark to reduce evaporation and consider installing a rainwater collection system to catch and reuse rainwater for tasks like gardening or car washing.

Properly Dispose of Hazardous Waste

Do not pour hazardous waste, such as chemicals or prescription medications, down the drain, on the ground, or into storm sewers. These substances can contaminate groundwater and harm drinking water sources. Properly dispose of hazardous waste through designated collection programs or facilities.

By following these water conservation practices, we can reduce water pollution, protect our ecosystems, and ensure reliable water supplies for future generations.

Manage stormwater

Stormwater is water from rain or melting snow that does not soak into the ground. Instead, it flows from impervious surfaces like rooftops, paved areas, bare soil, and sloped lawns, collecting and transporting pollutants such as animal waste, litter, salt, pesticides, fertilizers, oil, grease, and soil. This polluted stormwater eventually makes its way into streams, rivers, and oceans, causing significant damage to the environment and aquatic life. Here are some ways to manage stormwater and reduce its impact:

Implement Stormwater Management Programs

Communities can invest in programs to maintain stormwater systems, prevent flooding, and protect natural resources. While these programs may incur initial costs, they can save money in the long run by preventing damage to public and private property caused by stormwater runoff. Educate yourself and your community about the local watershed and consider volunteering for stream restoration or other local projects.

Properly Dispose of Waste

Individuals should properly dispose of waste to prevent it from becoming stormwater pollution. This includes throwing trash, cigarette butts, and pet waste into designated garbage containers. Additionally, properly dispose of hazardous materials such as paint, cooking oil, grease, chemicals, fertilizers, and pesticides. Used motor oil, antifreeze, and other automotive fluids should be recycled rather than dumped down storm drains.

Reduce Use of Pesticides and Fertilizers

Limit the use of pesticides and fertilizers, and always follow label directions. These products often contain harmful chemicals that can contaminate groundwater or run off into stormwater, harming aquatic life and degrading water quality. Consider using natural alternatives or implementing integrated pest management strategies.

Maintain Septic Systems

Properly maintain your septic system to prevent leaks. A leaking septic system can release harmful bacteria, viruses, and chemicals into storm sewers and local waterways. Have your septic system inspected regularly by a professional and pumped every three to five years to prevent pollution and costly repairs.

Use Rain Barrels and Green Infrastructure

Capture rainwater using rain barrels or by directing gutter downspouts toward your garden. Reuse this water for gardening or landscaping, conserving water and reducing the impact of stormwater runoff. Consider installing a green roof or living wall, which can absorb and delay rainwater runoff, providing additional environmental benefits.

Reduce agricultural pollution

Agriculture is a leading cause of water degradation, and farms discharge large quantities of agrochemicals, organic matter, drug residues, sediments, and saline drainage into water bodies. Farms and livestock production use about 70% of the world's surface water supplies, and agricultural pollution is the top source of contamination in rivers and streams in the US.

• Farmers can adopt nutrient management techniques by applying the right amount of nutrients (fertilizer and manure), at the right time of year, with the right method and placement.
• Using conservation drainage practices, such as subsurface tile drainage, to manage water movement through soils.
• Ensuring year-round ground cover by planting cover crops or perennial species to prevent periods of bare ground on farm fields when the soil is most susceptible to erosion and loss into waterways.
• Planting field buffers of trees, shrubs, and grasses along the edges of fields, especially those bordering water bodies.
• Reducing food waste to minimize the waste of resources and associated environmental impacts.
• Properly disposing of hazardous waste and not pouring it down drains, on the ground, or into storm sewers, to prevent contamination of the soil, groundwater, or nearby surface water.
• Reducing the use of plastic products, such as plastic water bottles, yogurt cups, and straws, as plastic pollution ends up in the ocean and can harm marine habitats and animals.

Frequently asked questions