Solving Air And Water Pollution: Current Initiatives

Air and water pollution are pressing issues that have severe consequences for human and environmental health. While there is no planet B, there are steps being taken to mitigate the effects of pollution and improve the quality of the air we breathe and the water we drink. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the US has implemented pollution control programs and developed national water quality criteria recommendations for pollutants in surface waters. The Clean Water Act prohibits the discharge of pollutants from point sources into US waters without a permit from the EPA or an authorized state. The Clean Air Act, passed in 1970, has also paved the way for numerous efforts to improve air quality. In addition to legislation, individuals can play a role in reducing pollution by conserving water, using less plastic, and driving less.

Actions to Solve Air and Water Pollution

Reduce vehicle emissions and use of personal cars

Vehicle emissions are a significant contributor to air pollution. To reduce vehicle emissions, individuals can adopt more fuel-efficient driving practices. This includes reducing unnecessary acceleration and driving at high speeds, as well as maintaining proper tyre pressure and wheel alignment. Additionally, keeping vehicles well-tuned and switching off the engine when idle can also minimise environmental impact.

On a broader scale, reducing vehicle emissions involves implementing policies and regulations that encourage the use of alternative fuels and the adoption of electric vehicles. This can be achieved through economic incentives, such as those in Norway, where electric vehicles have bus lane access, toll-free travel, privileged parking, and an abundance of charging points. As a result, Norway has the highest number of electric vehicles per capita worldwide.

Another approach is to reduce the use of personal cars. This can be achieved by improving urban and transport planning, such as locating employment and community services closer to communities, designing streets that encourage walking, and enhancing public transportation systems. The rising popularity of shared economy services, such as ride-sharing and car clubs, also presents an opportunity to decrease the number of cars on the road.

Additionally, technological advancements play a crucial role in reducing vehicle emissions. Improvements in fuel efficiency for new conventional light vehicles offer significant emissions reduction opportunities. Furthermore, the development of autonomous vehicles and changes in taxation methods, such as charging by miles travelled, can further incentivise the reduction of personal car usage.

Finally, addressing water pollution is equally important. Water pollution is caused by various factors, including agricultural runoff, industrial waste, marine debris, and oil spills. To tackle this issue, interventions such as using household water filters can be implemented, particularly in developing countries.

Use water-efficient toilets and appliances

Water efficiency standards for plumbing fixtures and appliances such as showerheads, washing machines, and toilets have been in place in the United States since 1992. These standards have saved taxpayers billions of dollars and protected water resources.

Toilets are the biggest water users in the home, responsible for an average of more than 33 gallons of water per day. Upgrading to a water-efficient toilet can save an estimated $170 per year on water bills, according to the EPA. WaterSense-certified toilets use 1.28 gallons of water per flush or less, which is significantly less than older toilets.

In addition to toilets, water-efficient appliances such as washing machines can also help reduce water consumption and save money. A 2016 study found that indoor household water use dropped 22% nationwide since 1999, from 177 gallons to 138 gallons per day, due largely to more efficient clothes washers.

By choosing water-efficient toilets and appliances, individuals can play a crucial role in reducing water consumption, preserving finite water resources, and protecting the environment. These small changes can have a significant impact on water conservation and sustainability.

It is important to note that while water-efficient toilets and appliances are a step in the right direction, they are just one part of the solution to the complex issue of water pollution. Other sources of water pollution include agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and marine debris, which require additional measures to address.

Treat water before it's reintroduced to waterways

Water pollution is a pressing issue that jeopardizes human health and the environment. Unsafe water is responsible for more deaths annually than war and other forms of violence combined. With less than 1% of Earth's freshwater accessible, addressing water pollution is crucial.

Wastewater treatment facilities play a pivotal role in treating water before its reintroduction to waterways. These facilities employ chemical, physical, or biological processes to eliminate pollutants. The treatment process involves several stages, including screening to remove coarse waste like plastics and rags, which cannot degrade naturally. This is followed by biological treatment, where bacteria digest impurities and convert them into sludge. Aerobic techniques, such as active sanitation systems with oxygen, are prevalent in countries like France.

Another critical aspect is the use of water treatment sensors to ensure the complete removal of contaminants. pH sensors, conductivity sensors, and oxidation reduction potential sensors are employed to monitor the water quality. Additionally, stormwater management is essential, as it eventually reaches rivers, streams, and oceans, carrying pollutants. Effective stormwater management techniques include sand filtration, electrocoagulation, reverse osmosis, and advanced oxidation processes.

In the past, inadequate sewage treatment infrastructure led to America's waterways deteriorating. The Clean Water Act, enacted in 1972, established mandatory requirements for sewage treatment. The federal government invested over $60 billion to improve water quality, making waterways fishable and swimmable again. Similarly, drinking water treatment technologies, including filtration and chlorination, played a pivotal role in averting waterborne diseases and extending life spans.

Toilets have also undergone changes to reduce water usage, with the EPA mandating a reduction in flush volume from 3.5 gallons to 1.6 gallons. Ultra-efficient toilets are now available, using as little as 0.8-1.1 gallons per flush. Septic tanks are another effective solution, treating sewage by separating liquids from solids and using biological processes to degrade solid substances.

Reduce agricultural pollution and farm waste

Agriculture is a major contributor to water pollution, with agricultural pollution being the top source of contamination in rivers and streams, and a close second or third for wetlands and lakes, respectively. The leading cause of this is fertilizer and manure runoff, which can carry excess nitrogen and phosphorus into waterways, causing eutrophication, hypoxia, and harmful algal blooms.

Farmers can reduce nutrient runoff by adopting better nutrient management techniques, such as applying the right amount of fertilizer at the right time of year, with the correct method and placement. They can also adopt regenerative agriculture strategies, such as improving soil health through planting cover crops and improving water quality by planting streamside buffer crops.

Another way to reduce agricultural pollution is by managing livestock access to streams. Farmers can install fencing along bodies of water to block livestock access, helping to restore stream banks and prevent excess nutrients from entering the water.

Farmers can also reduce pollution by adopting conservation drainage practices, such as subsurface tile drainage, which manages water movement through the soil, and ensuring year-round ground cover to prevent soil erosion and loss of nutrients into waterways.

Finally, consumers can play a role in reducing agricultural pollution by buying in bulk to limit packaging consumption, reducing food waste, and supporting pro-environmental farm policies and practices, such as regenerative farming.

Conserve energy and use energy-efficient products

Conserving energy and using energy-efficient products are crucial in tackling air and water pollution. Energy efficiency involves using less energy to accomplish the same tasks, reducing energy costs and pollution simultaneously. This approach is particularly effective in reducing indoor and outdoor air pollution, with mandatory building standards and retrofits playing a key role.

On a global scale, energy efficiency has yielded significant results. Notably, China achieved an 11% savings in its total primary energy supply between 2000 and 2014, avoiding 1.2 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions in 2014. This success is attributed to mandatory energy savings programs in industry, building retrofits, heat-metering reform, and personal vehicle standards.

In the transport sector, which accounted for 28% of total final energy consumption globally in 2016, mandatory vehicle fuel efficiency standards have made a substantial impact. These standards saved 2.4 million barrels of oil per day in 2015, showcasing the potential for further improvement. Introducing or raising mandatory efficiency standards for vehicles is a proven strategy to mitigate pollution in cities.

The use of energy-efficient products, such as electric heat pump water heaters, may come with a higher upfront cost but offers long-term savings. For example, while an energy-efficient water heater may cost $700 more initially, it can lead to energy savings of up to $3,500 over its lifetime. Many utilities offer rebates and discounts to encourage the adoption of such energy-efficient solutions.

By embracing energy efficiency and opting for energy-efficient products, we can protect our health, improve indoor air quality, and reduce outdoor air pollution. These steps, along with broader policy interventions, are essential in addressing the pressing issue of air and water pollution.

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