Preventing Water Pollution: Strategies For A Cleaner Future

Water pollution is a serious issue that poses a threat to human, animal, and plant health. It is caused by various factors, including landfill waste, toxic heavy metals, chemicals, and other contaminants that are disposed of improperly. To prevent water pollution, it is important to take proactive measures such as switching from plastic water bottles to aluminum, which is more environmentally friendly, and properly disposing of medications, which can harm the environment if flushed or poured down the drain. Additionally, it is crucial to keep litter and other trash out of creeks and waterways, as well as properly maintaining septic systems and preventing toilet and sewer clogs. Simple actions such as dry sweeping paved areas, using natural alternatives to chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and properly disposing of pet waste can also help reduce water pollution.

Measures to prevent water pollution

Stop pollution at the source

Stopping pollution at the source is one of the best ways to prevent water pollution. This means keeping litter and other trash out of creeks, rivers, and oceans. It involves individual actions that collectively create a ripple effect of positive change. For example, keeping trash out of yards and streets is essential, as rainwater can carry litter and other contaminants into water bodies.

Wastewater treatment is a critical aspect of stopping pollution at the source. Properly treating sewage and wastewater before they enter water systems can significantly reduce water pollution. This includes utilizing wastewater treatment facilities equipped with advanced technologies and tools to remove pollutants through biological, physical, and chemical processes. Regular maintenance of equipment, such as water treatment sensors, is vital to ensure the effective removal of contaminants.

Individuals can also play a role in treating wastewater before it enters water systems. For instance, avoiding the disposal of harmful chemicals, such as motor oil, automotive fluids, pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, into sanitary sewer or storm sewer systems is crucial. These chemicals can end up in rivers and lakes, causing significant harm to aquatic life. Instead, individuals can adopt eco-friendly alternatives, compost organic waste, and properly dispose of chemicals through designated channels.

Additionally, stormwater management is essential to stopping pollution at the source. Stormwater can pick up various contaminants, such as litter, fertilizers, and chemicals, as it flows across surfaces. To prevent this, individuals can take measures such as properly disposing of litter, sweeping fertilizer back onto the grass, and using porous pavement like gravel for driveways and walkways. These simple actions can help reduce stormwater pollution and protect water sources.

Install a water-efficient toilet

Installing a water-efficient toilet is a great way to reduce water pollution. Water-efficient toilets use significantly less water per flush than older models, which can lead to substantial reductions in your water bill and help conserve vital water resources.

Check for Rebates and Certifications:

Before purchasing a water-efficient toilet, it is beneficial to check for rebates and certifications. Many municipalities offer rebates or incentives for installing water-efficient fixtures, making the upgrade more cost-effective. Look for toilets with a WaterSense certification, which guarantees that they meet strict water efficiency and performance criteria set by the EPA.

Gather Your Tools:

Ensure you have all the necessary tools before starting the installation process. You will typically need a wrench, screwdriver, level, pliers, a putty knife, a sponge, and a new wax ring or gasket.

Turn Off the Water Supply:

Locate the shut-off valve near the toilet and turn it off to prevent water flow. This step is crucial to avoid any mess or flooding during the installation process.

Remove the Old Toilet:

Flush the toilet to drain any remaining water, then disconnect the water supply line and carefully remove the old toilet. Place a bucket or towel underneath the pipes to catch any residual water.

Prepare the Flange:

Clean and inspect the flange, which is the fitting that connects the toilet to the floor. Ensure it is in good condition and replace it if necessary. A proper seal is essential to prevent leaks.

Install the Wax Ring:

Place a new wax ring on the flange to create a watertight seal. This step is crucial in preventing leaks and ensuring a secure connection.

Install the New Toilet:

Carefully lower the new water-efficient toilet onto the flange, ensuring it is properly aligned and level. Tighten the bolts securely but be cautious not to over-tighten, as this can crack the porcelain.

Connect the Water Supply:

Reattach the water supply line and turn on the water supply. Check for any leaks around the base of the toilet and ensure that the toilet is securely connected.

Finish Up:

Install the toilet seat and lid, and apply a bead of caulk around the base of the toilet for a finished look.

By following these steps, you can successfully install a water-efficient toilet, contributing to both water conservation and financial savings. Remember to consider factors such as flush performance, bowl shape, and height when selecting your new toilet to ensure optimal performance and comfort.

Use drought-tolerant plants

Water conservation is essential, especially in areas with frequent droughts. One way to conserve water is by selecting drought-tolerant plants for landscaping. These plants can survive on average rainfall and require little to no additional water once their root systems are well-established.

Drought-tolerant plants have characteristics that minimise water loss and maximise water uptake. For example, plants with smaller leaves, such as succulents like agave and shrubs like bayberry, have fewer pores (stomata) and a waxy coating that prevents water loss and reflects heat. Plants with hairy leaves, such as silver sage, also trap moisture effectively. Additionally, deep-rooted plants like false blue indigo can access moisture from deeper layers of the soil, making them more resilient during droughts.

When choosing drought-tolerant plants, it is important to consider the growing environment, including light exposure and soil type. Native plants are often more drought-tolerant as they are adapted to local conditions, but this is not always the case. It is crucial to research the specific needs of each plant. Drought-tolerant plants perform best when planted in soil with good structure and adequate organic matter, such as compost, to promote healthy root development.

To promote deeper roots, it is essential to water new plants adequately until their root systems are established, which can take one to three years. Grouping plants with similar water and sun exposure needs can also help optimise water usage. Applying an organic mulch can conserve soil moisture for newly developing roots.

By incorporating drought-tolerant plants into landscapes, individuals can reduce water consumption, lower their water bills, and protect the environment from polluted runoff. These plants are an excellent choice for areas prone to water shortages and can also reduce lawn erosion during heavy rain.

Wash your car less often

Washing your car less frequently is an effective way to prevent water pollution. When you do wash your car, it is important to consider where and how you do it. Washing your car in your driveway or on the street can cause soap, scum, and oily grit to run into storm drains, which then flow directly into lakes, rivers, or streams. This causes pollution that is harmful to everyone, including people, wildlife, and plants.

So, if you wash your car at home, it is recommended to use a bucket of soapy water and a spring-loaded nozzle on the hose. Washing your car on the lawn or gravel is preferable to washing it on a paved surface, as this allows the water to percolate or soak into the ground, where the soil can act as a natural filter. Make sure to dump your bucket in the sink or allow it to filter through the ground, rather than down the driveway.

However, it is best to take your car to a commercial car wash, especially if you plan to clean the engine or the bottom of the car. Most car washes reuse wash water several times before sending it to the sewer system for treatment. Commercial car washes also use 60% less water in the entire washing process than a simple home wash.

To further reduce your impact on water pollution, it is important to regularly check your vehicle for oil leaks and fix them promptly. Oil and petroleum products are toxic and can cause significant pollution when they enter water bodies. One quart of motor oil can pollute 250,000 gallons of water! Therefore, it is crucial to never dispose of oil or other engine fluids down the storm drain, on the ground, or into a ditch.

Use wastewater treatments

Wastewater treatment is a critical process in preventing water pollution. Wastewater is water that has been used and must be treated to eliminate impurities before being released into another water body, protecting natural water sources from further pollution. This includes water that has been flushed down the toilet, rinsed down the drain, rainwater and runoff, as well as water from agricultural and industrial sources.

Wastewater treatment plants employ a combination of physical, biological, and chemical processes to remove impurities. The level of treatment varies depending on local environmental conditions and governmental standards, with primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of treatment. The primary level of treatment involves using screens and settling tanks to remove solids, which make up a significant portion of the pollutants. The screens have small openings to catch large materials, and the water is then placed in settling tanks, where the remaining sludge and scum are removed, achieving the removal of up to 90% of suspended solids. The partially treated wastewater then moves on to the secondary treatment level.

Some wastewater is more challenging to treat than others. For example, industrial wastewater often requires pretreatment to prevent toxic chemicals from disrupting the biological processes in sewage treatment plants. On the other hand, domestic wastewater is generally easier to treat, but the increasing presence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products has complicated the treatment process.

In cases where the soil is not suitable for wastewater treatment or there are nearby water sources, alternative systems may be employed. These systems may use sand, peat, or plastic instead of soil. Additionally, constructed wetlands, lagoons, aerators, and disinfection devices are all effective methods for treating wastewater, ensuring that water sources remain uncontaminated.

Frequently asked questions