Water Pollution And Inequality: Causes And Effects

Water is essential for life, but it is also extremely vulnerable to pollution. Water pollution is caused by toxic substances from farms, towns, and factories dissolving into and mixing with water bodies. These pollutants include chemicals, nutrients, heavy metals, and sewage. Additionally, water is unevenly distributed globally due to factors like precipitation and evaporation variations, as well as mismanagement, corruption, and lack of appropriate institutions and infrastructure. While there is enough water globally, unequal distribution and consumption make it scarce in certain regions.

Causes of Water Pollution and Unequal Distribution

Industrial waste and agricultural runoff

Water is a universal solvent, meaning it can dissolve more substances than any other liquid on Earth. This makes water highly vulnerable to pollution. Water pollution occurs when harmful substances, often chemicals or microorganisms, contaminate a body of water, degrading water quality and rendering it toxic to humans or the environment.

Agricultural runoff, or nonpoint source pollution, is the leading source of harm to water quality for surveyed rivers and streams, the third-largest for lakes, the second-largest for wetlands, and it is estimated that 80% of marine pollution comes from land-based agricultural sources. In the United States, agricultural pollution is the top source of contamination in rivers and streams. Globally, agriculture uses 70% of accessible freshwater, but around 60% of this is wasted due to leaky irrigation systems, inefficient application methods, and the cultivation of water-intensive crops. This wasteful use of water is drying out rivers, lakes, and underground aquifers.

Fertilizer and pesticide use in agriculture contribute to water pollution. When excess nitrogen and phosphorus from synthetic fertilizers wash into waterways, they cause nutrient pollution, which can lead to algal blooms that are harmful to people and wildlife. In the United States, 46% of rivers and streams are in "poor biological condition" due to high levels of nutrients and algae degrading water quality. Animal waste from farms, including poultry waste and manure from livestock, contains high levels of phosphorus, as well as pathogens and heavy metals, which can contaminate water supplies when sprayed on fields or leaked from factory farm lagoons.

Oil spills and leaks

The history of oil spills reveals the significant environmental consequences and the evolution of responses to these incidents. One of the earliest major oil spills in the US occurred in 1907 when the Santa Rita tanker spilled oil in San Francisco Bay. Public concern about oil leaks intensified during World War II when oil reached beaches on the US coast. A transformative event in pollution control was the 1969 blowout of an offshore oil platform off the coast of Santa Barbara, California, which accelerated federal government policies and changed how environmental pollution was managed. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 and the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989 are other notable incidents, with the latter revealing the challenges of cleanup efforts.

Oil spills can have far-reaching consequences for aquatic ecosystems and human activities. They can harm sea creatures, contaminate beaches, and make seafood unsafe for consumption. Oil spills can also have economic impacts, stalling economic growth and exacerbating poverty in affected regions. Additionally, oil spills contribute to the destruction of biodiversity and trigger the uncontrolled proliferation of phytoplankton in lakes, a process known as eutrophication.

The cleanup of oil spills is complex and challenging. While advancements have been made in oil spill science, achieving a complete removal of spilled oil is impossible. In the case of the Exxon Valdez spill, it was found that the use of high-pressure, hot-water hoses for cleanup caused more damage than the oil itself. This highlights the importance of carefully considering sensitive habitats during restoration projects. The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 established that those responsible for oil spills can be held accountable for cleanup and restoration costs.

Sewage and wastewater

The issue of sewage and wastewater pollution is prevalent in both developed and developing nations. In the United States, for example, aging and overwhelmed sewage treatment systems release over 850 billion gallons of untreated wastewater annually, according to the EPA. This has led to health issues for approximately 3.5 million Americans, who contract illnesses such as skin rashes, respiratory infections, and hepatitis from contaminated coastal waters.

Developing countries face similar challenges, with a significant proportion of wastewater being released into the environment without adequate treatment. This situation has led to the spread of water-related diseases, such as cholera and schistosomiasis, in these regions. The lack of proper wastewater management systems and the high population and economic growth rates in low- and lower-middle-income countries are expected to exacerbate the problem.

The increasing global population and economic development have resulted in a surge in wastewater generation and its pollution load. Agriculture, a major consumer of freshwater, is a significant contributor to water pollution. Inefficient farming practices, such as the overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and the discharge of untreated wastewater in irrigation, contaminate groundwater and surface water sources. Climate change further exacerbates this issue, altering weather patterns and causing droughts and floods that impact water availability and quality.

To address the problem of sewage and wastewater pollution, it is essential to improve wastewater management practices. This includes investing in infrastructure upgrades, such as repairing and replacing aging sewer pipes, and implementing natural solutions like planting trees, restoring wetlands, and creating green roofs to expand the capacity of sewer systems and reduce stormwater runoff. Additionally, promoting a more circular and sustainable economy can help reduce ecosystem contamination and encourage the treatment, recycling, and safe reuse of wastewater. By addressing sewage and wastewater issues, we can protect human health, preserve aquatic ecosystems, and ensure equitable access to clean water for all.

Climate change and rising temperatures

Agriculture, which consumes more water than any other sector, is a major contributor to freshwater pollution. The agricultural sector is responsible for inefficient water usage, with up to 60% of freshwater used wasted due to leaky irrigation systems, inappropriate application methods, and the cultivation of water-intensive crops. This wasteful use of water is drying out rivers, lakes, and underground aquifers. Additionally, agricultural activities contribute to water pollution through the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste, which wash into waterways during rainfall.

Industrial activities are another significant source of water pollution. Various toxic chemicals, organic and inorganic substances, and volatile organic compounds released during industrial production can contaminate aquatic ecosystems if not adequately treated. The distillery, tannery, pulp and paper, textile, food, and iron and steel industries are among the main contributors to industrial water pollution.

Furthermore, the rising global temperatures caused by CO2 emissions are heating water bodies, reducing their oxygen content. This decrease in oxygen levels has detrimental effects on aquatic life and ecosystems. Additionally, deforestation, often driven by industrial or agricultural needs, can exhaust water resources and create environments conducive to the growth of harmful bacteria.

The combination of climate change, rising temperatures, and human activities such as agriculture and industry, exacerbates water pollution and unequal distribution. These factors collectively contribute to the stress on water ecosystems and the declining availability of clean and safe water for human consumption and environmental sustainability.

Water availability and political dynamics

Water availability is a critical issue, with freshwater being a scarce resource. Only 3% of the world's water is freshwater, and two-thirds of that is inaccessible, locked away in glaciers. This scarcity is exacerbated by the wasteful use of water in agriculture, which consumes 70% of the world's accessible freshwater. Inefficient irrigation systems, poor application methods, and the cultivation of water-intensive crops contribute to this waste. As a result, rivers, lakes, and aquifers are drying up, and over 1.1 billion people lack access to water. Climate change further complicates this issue, altering weather and water patterns and causing droughts and floods.

Political dynamics play a significant role in water pollution and unequal distribution. Human activities, including industrialization, agricultural production, and urban life, have led to the degradation and pollution of water bodies. Point source pollution, such as direct inputs from factories or sewage treatment plants, and diffuse pollution, such as nutrients and pesticides from farming, contribute to water contamination. The discharge of untreated wastewater, containing pollutants like arsenic, cadmium, and chromium, into aquatic ecosystems is a major concern.

Additionally, political decisions and policies can impact water availability and distribution. For example, the deregulation of environmental protections and the reduction of staff enforcing pollution laws, as seen in the Trump administration, can have detrimental effects on water quality. The felling of forests, driven by political and economic interests, can also exhaust water resources and create breeding grounds for harmful bacteria.

Water pollution knows no political boundaries, and its impacts are felt across regions. The River Ganges, for instance, flows through India and Nepal, and while Nepal has access to clean water from mountain rivers, both countries struggle with water pollution due to high levels of faecal bacteria. Open defecation is a significant contributor to water contamination in these countries, affecting the health and well-being of their populations.

To address these challenges, governments and organizations must prioritize water intervention management and implement measures to improve water quality and distribution. The World Bank's David Malpass highlights the economic impact of deteriorating water quality, which stalls economic growth and exacerbates poverty. By recognizing the interconnectedness of water availability, political dynamics, and pollution, stakeholders can work towards sustainable solutions that ensure equitable access to clean water and protect the health and well-being of communities worldwide.

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