Water Pollution: Causes And Prevention Strategies

Water pollution is a pressing issue that affects the health of millions of people worldwide. The contamination of water sources by various pollutants such as chemicals, waste, plastic, and other harmful substances, poses significant risks to human health, the environment, and the economy. With water being a universal solvent, it easily dissolves and mixes with toxic substances, making it susceptible to pollution. To address water pollution, it is crucial to understand the sources and types of pollution, which can be categorised as point source and non-point source pollution. Point source pollution originates from a single source, such as wastewater discharge from industries, while non-point source pollution comes from diffuse sources. Preventing water pollution involves individual and collective efforts, including reducing plastic consumption, properly disposing of chemicals and waste, maintaining vehicles to prevent leaks, and advocating for regulations that address modern-day challenges, such as microplastics and pharmaceutical contaminants.

Oil spills and leaks

The impact of oil spills and leaks on marine ecosystems is devastating. Oil reduces the oxygen supply in the water, making it unsafe for drinking and destructive to marine life and the ecosystems that support them. Oil spills have been known to reach beaches, causing public concern and prompting government responses. For instance, the 1967 Torrey Canyon oil tanker spill led to the Oil Pollution Report to the President and the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan in the US. Globally, this incident resulted in the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage of 1969 and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships of 1973.

To prevent oil spills and leaks from contaminating water bodies, several measures can be implemented:

• Reduce the use of oil and transition to cleaner energy sources: This will decrease the likelihood of oil spills and leaks occurring in the first place.
• Implement proper waste management systems: Many industrial sites lack proper waste management, leading to toxic chemical and pollutant discharge into water bodies.
• Follow safe refueling practices for vessels: Boaters should know their tank capacity, avoid overflows, use absorbent pads or fuel collars, and properly manage any spills that occur.
• Create and utilize oil spill prevention kits: These kits can include items such as bilge socks made from oil absorbent pads to prevent oily water discharge.
• Improve oil transportation and storage infrastructure: This includes regular maintenance, leak detection systems, and spill containment measures to minimize the impact of potential leaks or accidents.
• Strengthen government regulations and response: Governments should continue to develop and enforce regulations to prevent and mitigate oil spills. Additionally, agencies such as the US Coast Guard and the Environmental Protection Agency play a crucial role in responding to and investigating onshore and offshore oil spills, respectively.

Industrial waste

The types of industrial waste can be divided into hazardous and non-hazardous. Hazardous waste may result from manufacturing or other industrial processes, and includes commercial products such as cleaning fluids, paints, or pesticides discarded by commercial establishments or individuals. Non-hazardous industrial wastes are those that do not meet the EPA's definition of hazardous waste and are not municipal waste.

The effects of water pollution from industrial waste are devastating to people, animals, fish, and birds. It renders water unsuitable for drinking, recreation, agriculture, and industry. It also diminishes the aesthetic quality of lakes and rivers, destroys aquatic life, and reduces its reproductive ability.

To prevent water pollution from industrial waste, proper waste management systems need to be in place. This includes reducing the production of waste, more efficient use of resources, and less waste going to landfill. Technologies have been developed to separate and recycle various types of waste, including fly ash, metals, plastics, glass, sands, abrasives, automobile scrap, and plating waste sludge. Additionally, the Ministry of Environment in each province regulates the discharges of solid, liquid, and gaseous wastes from industrial sources through policies, consultations, authorizations, and compliance activities.

Plastic pollution

To combat plastic pollution, it is essential to reduce plastic use and properly manage waste. Here are some specific ways to reduce plastic pollution:

• Participate in or organize cleanups of local beaches or waterways. This direct action can help remove plastic waste and prevent it from entering the ocean.
• Reduce the use of single-use plastics, such as plastic bottles, bags, and straws. Opt for reusable alternatives whenever possible.
• Avoid products containing microplastics or microbeads, often found in cosmetics, facial scrubs, and toothpastes. These tiny particles can pass through water-treatment plants and harm marine life.
• Support proper waste management and recycling initiatives to ensure plastic waste is disposed of and recycled effectively.
• Educate yourself and others about the unique qualities of water in your local area and the specific impacts of plastic pollution on those water bodies.

Chemical dumping

One of the primary sources of chemical dumping is the manufacturing and industrial sector. Many industries, such as chemical plants, plastics plants, and fertilizer plants, discharge untreated or inadequately treated wastewater containing harmful substances. For example, chemical plants release toxic chemicals like PVC and vinyl chloride, while plastics plants contribute hormone-disrupting phthalates and microplastics. In 2019, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated that 59 chemical fertilizer plants dumped approximately 90 million pounds of pollution, including nitrogen, cyanide, and heavy metals, into waterways.

Another source of chemical dumping is the agricultural sector. Farms often use chemical pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, which can contaminate water sources when improperly managed or disposed of. Runoff from agricultural lands can carry these chemicals into nearby streams, rivers, and estuaries, ultimately reaching the sea. This type of pollution is known as nonpoint source pollution, as it originates from diffuse sources rather than a single identifiable source.

To prevent chemical dumping and mitigate its impacts, several measures can be implemented:

• Industries and facilities must be held accountable for their waste management practices. The EPA and other regulatory bodies should enforce stricter limits on the discharge of pollutants and update their standards regularly to keep pace with technological advancements.
• Individuals should properly dispose of household chemicals and cleaning agents. Many communities offer hazardous waste collection days or designated drop-off locations to ensure these chemicals are handled safely and do not enter the water system.
• Reduce the use of chemical pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. Encouraging organic farming practices and promoting integrated pest management approaches can help minimize the use of chemicals and reduce the risk of water contamination.
• Support and strengthen regulations such as the Clean Water Act, which holds polluters accountable and aims to eliminate pollution discharges into waterways. Public support and advocacy for such regulations are crucial in ensuring their effectiveness and addressing modern-day challenges, including microplastics and pharmaceuticals.

Agricultural pollution

Agriculture is a direct and indirect cause of water pollution, which affects human health. Water pollution is caused by harmful substances, often chemicals or microorganisms, contaminating a body of water, degrading water quality, and rendering it toxic to humans or the environment.

Agricultural water pollution is caused by the use of pesticides, fertilisers, and manure, which can contaminate water sources. For example, when pesticides are used to protect crops from pests, they can seep into groundwater, harming animals, plants, and humans. The uncontrolled spreading of slurries and manures, tillage, and ploughing land can also cause water pollution. Rainwater from poultry buildings that are ventilated on the roof should never be allowed to discharge directly into a watercourse due to the deposition of dust, feed residues, and animal/bird excreta.

To prevent agricultural water pollution, farmers and land managers can take several precautions. Firstly, they should check the organic matter content and moisture level in the soil before applying manure or fertiliser. They must also take into account risk factors for runoff when deciding where to store manure. Additionally, they must take reasonable precautions to prevent soil loss caused by horticultural and farming activities, as soil loss can lead to erosion and allow pollutants to enter watercourses.

Furthermore, farmers should follow a code of good practice to minimise pollution. This includes undertaking "good housekeeping" and waste minimisation practices to prevent pollution at the source. For example, installing a wetland, pond, or infiltration system to deal with contaminated runoff at the farm.

On a broader scale, it is important to reduce the use of chemical pesticides and nutrients on crops, as well as restrict the use of single-use plastics, which often end up in rivers, lakes, and oceans, contributing to water pollution.

Frequently asked questions