Protecting Local Water Sources: Reducing Pollutants, Improving Health

Water pollution is a pressing issue that jeopardises human health and the environment. It occurs when harmful substances contaminate bodies of water, degrading water quality and rendering it toxic. With less than 1% of Earth's freshwater accessible for human consumption, it is crucial to address water pollution. Here are some ways to reduce pollutants in local water sources:

- Properly dispose of chemical cleaners, oils, and non-biodegradable items.

- Maintain your vehicle to prevent leaks and dispose of motor oil properly.

- Reduce the use of pesticides and fertilisers, and avoid pouring them into storm drains and waterways.

- Properly maintain septic systems to prevent the release of bacteria, viruses, and chemicals.

- Dispose of medications properly through pharmaceutical take-back programs.

- Volunteer in community clean-up efforts and educate others about water protection.

- Support legislation and regulations that control pollution and set limits on emissions.

- Upgrade wastewater treatment facilities to improve pollution removal.

- Reduce pollution in daily life by using less and disposing of harmful substances properly.

Dispose of oil and household chemicals properly

To reduce pollutants in local water sources, it is crucial to dispose of oil and household chemicals properly. Here are some detailed guidelines to ensure the safe disposal of these substances:

Oils:

• Never pour oil down the drain, on the ground, or into storm sewers. Oil can contaminate local water sources and harm the environment.
• Reduce oil usage and recycle whenever possible.
• If you have used motor oil, consider taking it to a local garage, public works department, or motor vehicle salvage yard for recycling.
• Contact your local environmental, health, or solid waste agency to learn about permanent or periodic collections of used oil in your area.

Household Chemicals:

• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper use, storage, and disposal of household chemicals.
• Wear gloves and eye protection when handling household chemicals.
• Avoid disposing of hazardous chemicals, such as paints, acids, poisons, and solvents, down the sink, drain, or toilet. These can pollute drinking water sources.
• Do not dump household chemicals on the ground or burn them, as this can release toxic fumes and gases.
• Check with your local hazardous waste management sites, environmental health department, solid waste agency, or fire department for specific disposal options in your area.
• Consider participating in a household hazardous waste collection program for proper disposal of leftover chemicals.
• Keep hazardous chemicals in their original containers with the labels intact, and store them securely away from children and pets.

By following these guidelines, you can help reduce the pollution of local water sources and protect both the environment and human health.

Maintain septic tanks

Maintaining your septic tank is an important way to reduce water pollution. Septic tanks separate solids, greases, and liquids, with bacteria breaking down the solids and the liquid being treated as it moves into the absorption field. A properly functioning septic tank should not release anything harmful to you or the environment.

• Get your septic tank pumped by a certified professional. The general rule of thumb is to do this every 3-5 years, but it will depend on your household size, the size of your tank, and how much wastewater you produce.
• Do not flush trash down the toilet. Only flush regular toilet paper. Avoid flushing wet wipes, cigarette butts, paper towels, and facial tissues, as these can take longer to break down than toilet paper.
• Avoid pouring oil, fat, and grease down the kitchen drain. These substances can solidify in the tank and clog up the system, reducing its efficiency.
• Do not put harsh chemicals such as bleach, disinfectants, and drain cleaners down the drain. These can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in your septic system and hinder its ability to break down waste.
• Do not flush prescription drugs or antibiotics down the toilet.
• Limit your use of the garbage disposal. Disposals add organic matter to your septic system, which will require more frequent pumping.
• Ensure your septic tank is surrounded by non-compacted soil. Do not drive vehicles or heavy equipment over the system. Avoid planting trees or shrubs with deep roots that could disrupt the system or plug pipes.
• Conserve water to reduce the amount of water pumped into your septic tank. Water conservation practices include repairing leaky faucets, toilets, and pipes, installing low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators, and only running the washing machine and dishwasher when they are full.

Reduce livestock impact on water sources

Livestock production is a major consumer of water resources, with the agricultural sector using about 70% of the earth's surface water supplies. It is also a serious polluter of water sources. To reduce the impact of livestock on water sources, there are several measures that can be implemented:

Block Direct Access to Water Bodies

The most efficient way to improve water quality is to prevent livestock from directly accessing streams, rivers, and other water bodies. Fencing off these areas will help reduce trampling of stream banks and limit the deposit of feces, thereby lowering the risk of E. coli contamination.

Provide Alternative Water Sources

Livestock should be provided with alternative drinking water sources to meet their water requirements. This can be achieved by supplying water troughs or other suitable containers. This measure ensures that livestock do not need to enter water bodies to hydrate, reducing their direct impact on these environments.

Implement Rotational Grazing

Rotational grazing involves creating a system where livestock are moved between different pastures or grazing areas. This practice reduces pasture erosion and gives vegetation time to recover. By allowing vegetation to regrow, the risk of soil erosion and the impact on water sources is minimised.

Improve Water Access and Quality

Ensuring that livestock have easy access to water can improve their performance and productivity. Well-hydrated livestock are less likely to suffer from stress and dehydration, which can impact their health and productivity. Additionally, providing ample supplies of good quality water can lead to more uniform distribution of nutrients in livestock waste, benefiting pasture productivity and overall environmental practices.

Manage Manure and Waste

Livestock waste, including manure and urine, can impact water sources if not properly managed. Implementing manure management practices, such as collecting and composting manure, can help reduce nutrient runoff into water bodies. Proper storage and disposal of manure can also prevent the contamination of groundwater and surface water sources.

Limit use of pesticides and fertilisers

Pesticides and fertilisers are essential for food production and protecting crops from pests. However, they can be harmful to humans and the environment if overused or misused. Here are some ways to limit their use and protect local water sources:

Understand the Risks

It is important to recognise that pesticides and fertilisers can contaminate water sources through improper disposal, runoff, and leaching. Pesticides, in particular, are designed to be toxic and can have acute and chronic health effects on humans, depending on the quantity and exposure. They can also be deadly to aquatic life, including tiny creatures known as aquatic invertebrates, which are a vital part of the food chain.

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

One way to limit the use of pesticides is to opt for non-chemical solutions whenever possible. Integrated pest management (IPM) can help accurately identify, treat, and prevent pest problems, reducing the need for pesticides. Additionally, proper disposal of leftover or unused pesticides and fertilisers is crucial. Take these substances to your local household hazardous waste disposal facility instead of dumping them down drains or into trash cans, as this can contaminate waterways.

Be Weather-Wise

When applying pesticides or fertilisers, check the weather forecast and ensure calm conditions with wind speeds below 10 mph and no rain or snow expected. This will help minimise the movement of these substances into water sources.

Choose Alternatives

Some pesticides are more toxic than others. Pyrethroids, organophosphates, and fipronil, for instance, are highly toxic to aquatic organisms and are commonly found polluting waterways. Limit the use of these pesticides, and when necessary, use them in ways that minimise their movement into water. Less toxic alternatives include insecticidal soaps and oils, as well as products derived from plant materials, which tend to break down faster in the environment.

Plant Buffers

Along the edges of fields, especially those bordering water bodies, farmers can plant trees, shrubs, and grasses. These buffers can help prevent nutrient loss by absorbing or filtering out excess nutrients before they reach water sources.

Practice Conservation Tillage

Reducing the frequency and intensity of tilling improves soil health and reduces erosion, runoff, and soil compaction. This, in turn, lowers the likelihood of nutrients reaching waterways through runoff.

By implementing these strategies, we can limit the use of pesticides and fertilisers, thereby reducing their impact on local water sources and the environment as a whole.

Improve wastewater treatment

Improving wastewater treatment is key to reducing pollutants in local water sources. Here are some ways to improve the treatment process and reduce pollution:

Reduce Water Consumption

Citizens can play a role in reducing the volume of wastewater by limiting their water usage. This can be achieved through simple measures such as turning off faucets when not in use, fixing plumbing leaks, and upgrading to low-flow toilets and showerheads. Additionally, maximizing the use of water-consuming appliances, such as washing machines and dishwashers, by only running them with full loads can significantly reduce water consumption.

Improve Wastewater Quality

The quality of wastewater can be improved by reducing the amount of toxins that enter the system. This includes properly disposing of oils, grease, and household chemicals instead of pouring them down drains. Using non-toxic household cleaners can also help keep chemicals out of wastewater. Limiting the use of garbage disposals can reduce the amount of organic matter entering septic tanks and sewers, while also conserving water.

Maintain Septic Systems

For those with septic systems, regular maintenance is crucial. Pumping out the septic tank every two to three years to remove solids is recommended. Additionally, ensuring that only items that can be safely flushed are disposed of through the toilet can help maintain the proper functioning of the septic system.

Optimize Treatment Plants

For wastewater treatment plants, there are several ways to improve their efficiency and reduce their environmental impact:

• Upgrade pump stations to improve energy efficiency and reduce operational costs.
• Optimize aeration systems by upgrading to variable frequency drives and installing dissolved oxygen control systems to reduce electricity consumption.
• Improve sludge management by minimizing transported water and solids, and consider utilizing biogas for energy production.
• Recover and recycle essential nutrients, such as phosphorus, to create a commercial-grade fertilizer that can be sold, turning a cost into a revenue stream.
• Replace chlorine disinfection with ultraviolet (UV) light systems, reducing the use of costly and hazardous chemicals.
• Automate operations using Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems to monitor equipment, optimize processes, and alert operators of potential issues.

Frequently asked questions