Water Pollution: Usa's Most Known Contaminant

Water pollution is a pressing issue in the United States, with various sources contributing to the contamination of the country's water bodies. From industrial discharge to agricultural runoff, the US faces significant challenges in maintaining clean water sources. While there are many known water pollutants, the most notable ones include toxic chemicals, heavy metals, oil, plastic, and sewage. These contaminants have severe ecological and health impacts, and addressing them is crucial for the well-being of both the environment and human populations.

Industrial facilities

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified industrial facilities as a significant contributor to water pollution, with their Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) system tracking discharges of toxic pollutants. In 2019, industrial and commercial facilities reported releasing approximately 200 million pounds of toxic pollutants into surface waters, a decrease from 2007 levels, primarily due to reduced nitrate discharges. However, this still poses a substantial threat to water quality and the health of aquatic ecosystems.

The Clean Water Act (CWA) plays a crucial role in regulating water pollution from industrial facilities. The Act requires facilities to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, which sets limits and conditions for discharges. However, certain industrial sectors and facilities have not adequately addressed all components of their discharges, continuing to release significant amounts of pollutants into surface waters. This includes the discharge of toxic pollutants such as mercury, arsenic, lead, and other heavy metals, as well as chemicals linked to cancer and developmental disorders.

To address the issue of industrial water pollution, there have been calls for strengthened enforcement of the CWA. This includes reducing permitted pollution levels, ensuring timely permit renewals, and implementing mandatory minimum penalties for polluters who violate the law. Additionally, there is a need to encourage the development and use of safer alternatives to toxic chemicals and to regulate chemicals based on their potential to cause harm to the environment and human health. By doing so, the United States can better protect its waterways and safeguard the health and well-being of its citizens.

Agricultural pollution

Water pollution is caused by a variety of sources, and there is no single source of water pollution. However, agricultural pollution is the top source of contamination in rivers and streams in the USA, the second-biggest source in wetlands, and the third main source in lakes.

Sources of Agricultural Pollution

• Fertilizers and manure: The application of chemical fertilizers and the collection of animal manure by farmers often result in surface runoff of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus). When washed away from farm fields, nutrient pollution can cause eutrophication of water bodies. Eutrophication results in algal blooms which deplete oxygen in bodies of water, resulting in dead zones where life can no longer be sustained.
• Pesticides: Excessive use or improper use of pesticides during farming contributes to water pollution and is currently a major contributor to pollution in lakes, wetlands, estuaries, and groundwater.
• Livestock and poultry waste: Poultry waste, which is mostly dry litter, is stored in exposed, giant mounds. Chicken manure contains a higher percentage of phosphorus than other animal manure, and it is also prone to harming waterways with phosphorus runoff.
• Industrial solvents and by-products: The production of artificial fertilizers and plastics can contaminate surface waters and groundwater.

Impact of Agricultural Pollution

The impact of agricultural pollution includes:

• Water quality degradation: Agricultural pollution is the leading cause of water quality degradation in rivers and streams, and a major contributor to the pollution of lakes, wetlands, estuaries, and groundwater.
• Eutrophication and algal blooms: Increased levels of nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizer and manure can stimulate algal blooms in lakes and rivers, which can lead to the development of hypoxic (low oxygen) conditions that are harmful to aquatic life.
• Soil erosion and excessive sedimentation: Excessive sedimentation from erosion can overwhelm aquatic ecosystems, smother breeding areas, and degrade coastal and marine ecosystems, including coral reefs.
• Air pollution: Livestock and their manure pollute the air, as manure emits ammonia that then combines with other air pollutants, like nitrogen oxides and sulfates, to create tiny solid particles that can cause heart and lung diseases.

Aging infrastructure

The United States' water infrastructure is in dire need of an upgrade, with the cost of doing so projected to climb rapidly. This includes the vast network of pipes, reservoirs, pump stations, sewage pipes, and treatment plants that deliver and treat water. Over 2 million miles of water pipes in the US are reaching the end of their lifespan, with many installed in the early to mid-20th century, or even the late 1800s. As pipes age, they become more susceptible to leaks and breaks, leading to significant water loss. In the US, 2.1 trillion gallons of water are lost annually due to infrastructure breakdowns.

The ageing infrastructure is struggling to keep up with the growing population and urban expansion, which increases the number of contaminants polluting water sources. Inadequate wastewater treatment further exacerbates the problem. While the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act address water quality, the focus has primarily been on cleaning contaminated water rather than prevention. The challenge of maintaining and repairing pipes located in hard-to-reach areas beneath cities and towns adds to the complexity.

Climate change compounds the issue, with more frequent extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts, floods, and freezing temperatures placing additional strain on the ageing infrastructure. Intense rainfall and flooding can result in sewer flooding, one of the most severe service failures. While some water resource recovery facilities are upgrading their equipment to accommodate increased rainfall, it may not be happening at the required pace.

The cost of restoring underground pipes in the US is estimated to surpass $1 trillion over the next 25 years, excluding new infrastructure construction or treatment plant repairs. The current water usage fees and local taxes are insufficient to cover the full capital and operational costs of providing safe drinking water. This funding gap hinders the ability of water utilities to renew and replace ageing infrastructure.

The ageing water infrastructure in the US poses a significant challenge, threatening access to clean and safe drinking water. Upgrading and maintaining the hidden network of pipes and treatment facilities is crucial to ensuring a reliable water supply and mitigating the impact of a growing population and climate change. Securing the necessary funding for these improvements is a pressing concern.

Oil pollution

Oil spills can have detrimental effects on marine ecosystems, harming sea creatures, contaminating seafood, and disrupting marine transportation. The cleanup process is complex and often falls short of removing all traces of oil. Even the cleanup methods themselves can cause additional harm, as seen in the aftermath of the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989, where the use of high-pressure, hot-water hoses for cleanup caused more damage than the oil alone.

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which occurred in 2010, is another notable incident that led to restoration projects and advancements in oil spill science. The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 established that those responsible for oil spills can be held accountable for the financial burden of cleanup and restoration. This process, known as Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA), involves federal, state, and tribal agencies working together with the responsible party to select restoration projects with input from the public.

Agricultural pollution, including runoff from fertilizer and pesticide use, is the leading cause of water degradation in rivers and streams in the United States. It is also the second-biggest source of contamination in wetlands and the third main source in lakes. Aging infrastructure, such as water pipes and tanks, further contributes to water pollution as contaminants can corrode and leach into the water supply.

Sewage

The first wastewater treatment plants were constructed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but they were often ineffective and did not fully treat the waste. It wasn't until the passage of the Clean Water Act in 1972 that significant investments were made to modernize and upgrade sewage treatment infrastructure. This led to a dramatic decrease in sewage outflow and improved water quality in US waterways.

However, even today, sewage continues to be a concern. Aging and outdated infrastructure, including leaking pipes and collection systems, contribute to combined sewer overflows and sanitary sewer overflows. Poor upkeep of sewer systems can result in leaks and spills of municipal sewage, posing significant health risks as wastewater carries diseases like salmonella and hepatitis.

Additionally, during rainstorms, stormwater can surge into sewers, contributing to raw sewage overflows. This overflow can contain harmful pollutants and pathogens, as well as heavy metals and chemicals, which can contaminate waterways and pose risks to aquatic life and human health.

To address these issues, there have been efforts to improve sewage treatment processes, such as physical removal methods and biological processes to remove organic matter and pathogens. However, as of 2025, the US Supreme Court has weakened the rules governing the discharge of raw sewage into water supplies, creating concerns about further contamination and potential health risks.

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