Industrial Revolution's Water Pollution: Understanding The Causes

The Industrial Revolution of the mid-19th century brought about new sources of water pollution, with factories releasing pollutants directly into rivers and streams. The technological innovations that boosted the economy of Europe and the US also caused air and water pollution. The burning of coal, the use of home fireplaces, and the lack of proper sewage systems all contributed to the contamination of water sources. This led to the spread of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, typhus, and tuberculosis. The issue of water pollution became so severe that it sparked the creation of environmental movements and legislation, such as Earth Day, the Clean Air Act (1970), and the Clean Water Act (1972).

Improper disposal of sewage, debris, oil, and other waste

The Industrial Revolution, which began in the mid-18th century, brought about new technologies that led to the faster production and consumption of materials. However, one of its biggest downsides was the environmental toll it took, with natural resources being exploited and pollution levels rising. Improper disposal of sewage, debris, oil, and other waste was a significant contributor to water pollution during this time.

Before and during the Industrial Revolution, many people consumed contaminated water, leading to the spread of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, typhus, and tuberculosis. The lack of proper sewage systems and overcrowding in cities further exacerbated the problem. As industrialization continued, the signs of environmental degradation became more apparent, with waterways being particularly affected.

Waterways, including rivers, streams, lakes, and oceans, were polluted with oil, debris, and other waste from factories and industrial practices. This led to widespread losses of wildlife and posed health hazards to humans. For example, the Cuyahoga River in the United States became a symbol of industrial pollution when chemical waste released into it caused the river to catch fire in 1969.

The improper disposal of sewage and waste was not limited to industrial practices. Overcrowding in cities during the Industrial Revolution also contributed to the problem. With limited living space, inadequate sanitation, and a lack of sewers, human waste often contaminated water sources. According to a CNN report, one gram of human excrement contains approximately 10 million viruses, 1 million bacteria, 1,000 parasite cysts, and 100 parasite eggs.

The pollution of waterways became a serious problem, with governments eventually stepping in to address it. For example, the Rivers Pollution Act was introduced in 1875, and the Clean Water Act was passed in 1972 to control water pollution. However, the effects of water pollution during the Industrial Revolution had long-lasting impacts, and it continues to be a global issue today.

Industrial waste dumped in rivers and lakes

The Industrial Revolution of the mid-19th century introduced new sources of water pollution. As factories and mills began to harness water power on a large scale, they also started releasing pollutants directly into rivers and streams. This industrial waste mixed with raw municipal sewage, worsening disease epidemics.

During this time, the growing urban population faced overcrowding and a lack of sanitation. Many people were forced to live in close quarters with limited access to water, making personal hygiene difficult to maintain. The lack of sewers and proper waste disposal systems further contributed to water contamination. Diseases such as cholera, typhoid, typhus, and tuberculosis spread due to these unsanitary conditions.

The problem of industrial waste being dumped into rivers and lakes was not limited to a specific region or country. In 19th-century New England, for example, the expansion of water-powered mills and factories led to the degradation of natural waterways. Manufacturers dumped millions of gallons of waste into rivers and streams, which served as open sewers. Despite efforts by local and state governments to address the issue through health boards and pollution control laws, enforcement was challenging and loopholes existed.

The impact of industrial waste dumping extended beyond the immediate pollution of water sources. In some cases, the contamination persisted for decades, continuing to pose a threat to drinking water supplies and the health of nearby communities. For instance, in Picher, Oklahoma, lead and zinc mining left a legacy of contaminated groundwater and streams that affected residents long after mining operations ceased. Similarly, in North Carolina, residents near coal-fired power plants were alerted to the presence of elevated levels of chromium-6 and other chemicals in their water supply.

The issue of industrial waste dumped in rivers and lakes has prompted legislative action and environmental movements. In 1969, the Cuyahoga River in Ohio became a symbol of the destructive nature of industrial pollution when chemical waste caused it to catch fire. This incident fueled the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Subsequently, in 1972, Congress passed the Clean Water Act to reduce water pollution, and similar anti-pollution legislation has followed. However, water pollution remains a global issue, with industrial waste continuing to be dumped untreated into water sources, particularly in developing regions.

Overcrowding and lack of sanitation

The Industrial Revolution, which began in Britain in the 1700s, had a profound impact on the lives of working-class people. The workers were exposed to dangerous and dirty working conditions in factories and mines, with long hours, low wages, and little to no worker rights. This was compounded by equally horrible living conditions in industrial towns and cities, characterised by overcrowding, poor sanitation, the spread of diseases, and pollution.

Overcrowding was a significant issue as populations in cities grew rapidly, and limited living space forced many people to live in cramped conditions. The most common housing pattern was high-density back-to-back structures, which were not only poorly built and damp but also lacked basic amenities like windows, proper ventilation, and sanitation. In Liverpool, England, a government health official, Dr William Henry Duncan, surveyed living conditions in the 1830s and found that a third of the city's population lived in cellars, with up to 16 people sharing a single room and privy. The lack of sanitation facilities led to people dumping their waste into the streets, further contributing to the unsanitary conditions.

The lack of sanitation and overcrowding created ideal conditions for the spread of diseases. Tuberculosis (TB), typhus, and cholera were common during this period, with TB reported to cause around one-third of total deaths in Britain during the major years of industrialisation. The poor living conditions, including a lack of clean water and inadequate drainage and sewerage systems, exacerbated the situation, making it easier for diseases to spread.

The governing classes, who lived in separate areas, often ignored protests from workers about these conditions. Builders prioritised profits over building quality housing, and the government held prejudices about the poor. It was not until the cholera epidemic became a serious issue that the government began to take some action, with the Nuisances Removal and Diseases Prevention Act of 1846 aiming to regulate older buildings and improve sanitation. However, the lack of town planning and weak administration in industrial cities meant that addressing these issues was challenging.

Coal-powered steam engines

The Industrial Revolution of the mid-19th century introduced new sources of water pollution. The development of the steam engine, which was powered by coal, played a significant role in this.

Coal was central to the development of the steam engine, and the steam engine, in turn, revolutionised coal mining by increasing its efficiency. Before the steam engine, coal was mined using shallow bell pits, adit or drift mines, and shaft mining. However, the limiting factor in shaft mining was the problem of removing water. The introduction of the steam pump in 1698 and the Newcomen steam engine in 1712 facilitated the removal of water from mines, enabling deeper shafts and the extraction of more coal. The steam engine thus set off a chain reaction: it increased the demand for coal, which in turn led to the need for more efficient steam engines.

The large-scale use of coal, however, resulted in unprecedented levels of air pollution in industrial centres. Coal-powered plants released human-produced sulfur and nitrogen compounds into the atmosphere, causing acid rain which negatively impacted plants, fish, soil, forests, and some building materials. The burning of coal also produced smog and soot, which had serious health impacts on residents of urban areas.

The environmental impact of coal-powered steam engines extended beyond air pollution. Coal-based industries also contributed to water pollution, as factories released industrial waste and pollutants directly into rivers and streams. This contaminated water sources, leading to the spread of diseases such as cholera and typhoid. The pollution of waterways became a serious problem, with governments attempting to address it through legislation such as the Rivers Pollution Act of 1876. However, the gains of industrialization weakened the effectiveness of such acts.

Chemical manufacturing processes

The Industrial Revolution brought about a shift towards manufacturing-based economic practices, powered by heavy industrial machinery. This machinery required vast amounts of energy, primarily derived from fossil fuels like coal. The burning of coal resulted in smog and soot, which had serious health impacts on residents of urban centres. The use of waterways as a source of power during this time also contributed to water pollution.

During the Industrial Revolution, corporate investors established mills and factories that harnessed water power on a much larger scale than ever before. This shift towards large-scale manufacturing resulted in the production of an extraordinary volume of textiles, shoes, paper, and iron goods. To support these operations, dams were constructed to create large mill ponds that fed the turbines of these factories.

However, the use of waterways as a source of power came at a cost. The rivers and streams that powered these factories also became dumping grounds for industrial waste. Manufacturers dumped millions of gallons of waste into these waterways, which mixed with raw sewage from nearby municipalities. This pollution greatly increased the frequency and severity of disease epidemics, with cholera, typhus, and tuberculosis being commonly reported.

The environmental consequences of water pollution during the Industrial Revolution were severe and far-reaching. Rivers like the Thames in London became heavily polluted, symbolizing the industrial waste and raw sewage that contaminated water sources during this time. The pollution of waterways became a serious problem in England, with JC Morrell of the Manchester Statistical Society expressing concern and proposing legislation to address water pollution.

While the Industrial Revolution brought about remarkable technological advancements, it also set the stage for large-scale carbon emissions and environmental degradation that continue to impact our planet today.

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