Polluted Water: Which Us Areas Are The Worst Offenders?

Water pollution in the United States is a pressing issue, with industrial and agricultural activity being the primary sources of contamination. The problem is pervasive, with polluted water being found in rivers, lakes, and oceans across the country. The Ohio River, for instance, is tainted by industrial pollution, affecting six states. The Tennessee River, meanwhile, is jeopardized by chemical contaminants, posing health risks to those reliant on it for drinking water. Climate change exacerbates the issue, increasing agricultural runoff and altering weather patterns, while urbanization and deforestation contribute to pollution through greater runoff and the removal of vegetation from riverbank areas.

Industrial and agricultural activity

Agricultural practices are a major contributor to water pollution. The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides results in nutrient runoff, increasing the nutrient content of water and causing eutrophication. This process leads to excessive algae growth, which asphyxiates and kills native flora and fauna in the water, potentially causing entire species to go extinct. Additionally, ammonia from agricultural runoff can acidify waterways, degrading ecosystems and affecting the ecology of streams and rivers. The agricultural sector is also the largest consumer of freshwater resources, with farming and livestock production using about 70% of the earth's surface water supplies.

Industrial activities have also played a significant role in polluting US water sources. Chemical companies, utilities, plastics and rubber manufacturers, mining companies, and petroleum and coal producers are among the top industries releasing contaminants into water sources. For example, the now-defunct Diamond Alkali Co. in New Jersey polluted the Passaic River, a drinking water source for millions, with chemicals used to make Agent Orange. The Ohio River, which provides drinking water for nearly 3 million people, has received about 600 million pounds of toxic substances, including ammonia and nitrates, from various industries since 1987.

The impact of industrial and agricultural pollution on water quality has led to severe consequences. In some cases, mere contact with contaminated water can cause skin problems, and ingesting polluted water can lead to violent illness. Additionally, polluted water negatively affects the quality of life and incomes of nearby residents, threatening public health and causing economic losses.

Efforts to address water pollution from industrial and agricultural sources are ongoing. The EPA has implemented regulations to protect drinking water sources from industrial pollution, but critics argue that there is a ""failure of federal and state policy" to adequately address the issue. Closing loopholes and restoring safeguards under the Clean Water Act is proposed to strengthen protections for waterways. Additionally, recent revitalization efforts have successfully improved water quality in previously polluted lakes, such as Onondaga Lake.

Climate change

One of the key ways climate change is impacting water pollution is by increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, such as hurricanes. For example, when Hurricane Florence struck the North Carolina coast in 2018, it caused agricultural runoff to enter the ocean. The area is home to approximately 2,400 hog farms, which produce large amounts of waste that can flow into the ocean and other waterways during flood events. These wastes can contaminate water sources, making them unsafe for both human and wildlife consumption.

Additionally, climate change is contributing to the problem of eutrophication in waterways. Increased temperatures and altered rainfall patterns can cause higher nutrient runoff from agricultural lands, leading to excessive algae growth. This algae bloom can asphyxiate native flora and fauna below the water's surface, potentially leading to species extinction. Eutrophication can also be caused by chemical fertilizers containing nitrogen and phosphorus, which further increase the nutrient content of the water.

The impacts of climate change on water pollution are not limited to coastal areas. Inland waterways, such as rivers, are also facing significant challenges. Deforestation and the removal of vegetation from riverbank areas can disrupt natural river ecosystems, contributing to pollution problems and negatively impacting aquatic life. Increased temperatures can also alter the habitats and behaviours of freshwater species, affecting their ability to survive and reproduce.

Furthermore, climate change is exacerbating the problem of industrial pollution in waterways. As temperatures rise, industrial facilities may increase their water usage, leading to higher volumes of contaminated wastewater being discharged into rivers and lakes. This can result in the release of toxic substances, including heavy metals and chemicals, which can have detrimental effects on aquatic life and ecosystems.

To address these issues, it is crucial to recognize the interconnectedness of climate change and water pollution. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing adaptation measures, we can help mitigate the impacts of climate change on our water resources. Additionally, enforcing stricter pollution control standards and vigorously upholding clean water laws, such as the Clean Water Act, can help to safeguard our waterways and protect the health and well-being of communities that depend on them.

Sewage contamination

The Clean Water Act, passed by Congress in 1972, aimed to address this issue by investing in modernizing sewage treatment infrastructure. However, many of the plants built are now undersized or nearing the end of their effective lives. The American Society of Civil Engineers has given America's wastewater infrastructure a "D" grade, highlighting the need for urgent upgrades.

The nation's aging infrastructure, combined with poorly planned development, contributes to sewage overflows and leaks. These overflows and leaks allow untreated sewage to enter streams, rivers, and lakes, contaminating them. Additionally, sewage treatment facilities may accidentally or illegally release treated sewage, contributing to water pollution.

To address sewage contamination, it is crucial to invest in upgrading the nation's wastewater infrastructure and expanding natural areas to prevent stormwater from rushing into sewers. Preventing sewage overflows and ensuring proper treatment before release are essential to safeguarding water sources from dangerous pollutants.

Mercury and toxic chemicals

Mercury is a highly toxic neurotoxin, especially dangerous to the developing nervous system. Exposure to high levels of mercury can cause severe health issues, including kidney damage, respiratory failure, and even death. In children, mercury exposure can lead to IQ deficits. Almost everyone has at least small amounts of methylmercury in their bodies due to its widespread presence in the environment. Mercury is released into the atmosphere when coal is burned for electricity, and it eventually finds its way into bodies of water through rainfall.

The Chesapeake Bay is one of the most well-known victims of mercury pollution. The burning of coal in power plants and other coal-burning sources releases mercury into the air, which is then washed into the Bay and its surrounding waterways by rain. In 2011, the EPA introduced the nation's first air pollution standards for mercury and other toxic chemicals emitted from power plants, but these standards were later revoked in 2020 by the Trump Administration. This reversal will likely lead to increased mercury levels in the Bay and its fisheries, posing risks to human health through the consumption of contaminated fish.

Agricultural runoff is another significant source of mercury pollution in US waterways. In the Chesapeake watershed, mercury from agricultural runoff has led to fish consumption advisories being issued. Similarly, the area off the North Carolina coast is home to numerous hog farms, and during floods, the waste from these farms flows into the ocean and other waterways. Onondaga Lake, which was once a popular tourist destination, has also suffered from industrial pollution and agricultural runoff, rendering it unsafe for swimming and fishing for decades.

Mercury is not the only toxic chemical polluting US waters. Chemical fertilizers, for example, contaminate nearby groundwater, damaging wildlife and making the water unsafe for human use. Nitrate compounds, in particular, are challenging to remove once they enter waterways. Additionally, steel plants along the Ohio River contribute to making it one of the ten most polluted waterways in the country.

Overall, mercury and other toxic chemicals pose a significant threat to the quality of US water sources, with far-reaching consequences for both human health and the environment.

Construction and infrastructure development

The consequences of construction and infrastructure development on water pollution are far-reaching. Increased runoff from roads and buildings can carry various pollutants, including toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and nutrients from fertilizers, into nearby waterways. These pollutants can have detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems, killing native flora and fauna and even causing entire species to go extinct. Additionally, these contaminated waters pose health risks to humans who rely on them for drinking, with potential issues including cancer, reproductive problems, and developmental damage.

One notable example of the impact of construction and infrastructure development on water pollution is the Ohio River. The river, which serves as a lifeline for six states, has been tainted by industrial pollution for decades. Runoff from steel plants and other industrial facilities along its banks has made it one of the ten most polluted waterways in the country. The toxins found in the Ohio River, particularly nitrate compounds and mercury, are notoriously difficult to remove once they enter the water.

Furthermore, the problem of water pollution is not limited to a single river or region. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Toxic Release Inventory (TRI), industrial facilities across the country released nearly 193.7 million pounds of toxic substances into lakes, rivers, and oceans in 2020. These pollutants can be carried by water flow to distant ecosystems and communities, affecting areas far beyond the initial source of pollution. This widespread contamination has led to an estimated 80,000 miles of impaired rivers, lakes, and reservoirs in the United States.

To address these issues, it is crucial to implement stricter pollution control standards and vigorously enforce clean water laws, including federal protection for all waterways. By updating pollution control standards and closing loopholes in legislation like the Clean Water Act, it may be possible to dramatically reduce toxic releases into waterways and mitigate the environmental and health impacts of construction and infrastructure development on water pollution.

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