Reducing Water Pollution: Strategies For A Cleaner Future

Water pollution is a pressing issue that poses a threat to human health and the environment. It arises from various sources, including industrial waste, pesticides, bacteria, and fertilizers. With the increasing global population, the demand for water is rising, and the issue of water pollution is becoming more critical. To address this challenge, it is essential to explore effective solutions that can reduce water pollution and protect our precious water resources. This discussion aims to delve into the topic of water pollution and explore potential actions that can make a significant difference in mitigating this global problem.

Characteristics of Actions to Reduce Water Pollution

Wastewater treatment

The treatment process can be divided into preliminary, primary, secondary, and tertiary stages. The preliminary and primary stages focus on removing rags and suspended solids from the water, while the secondary stage targets dissolved and suspended organic materials. The tertiary stage, which is not always necessary, can remove over 99% of impurities, making the water almost drinkable. This stage is often too expensive to be justified, however.

During the treatment process, sewage passes through several chambers of the facility, slowly reducing its toxicity levels. The specific processes involved include screening, comminution, grit removal, sedimentation, trickling filters, activated sludge processes, and oxidation ponds. Screening involves using long, narrow metal bars to block floating debris such as wood and rags. Comminution is where debris that passes through the screens is ground and shredded. Grit removal uses long, narrow tanks to slow down the flow of water, allowing solids like sand and eggshells to settle. Sedimentation uses tanks to provide detention time for gravity settling, with scrapers collecting the settled solids at the bottom. Trickling filters continuously spray settled sewage over a deep bed of stones, allowing microbes to absorb dissolved organics. Activated sludge processes involve aerating settled sewage mixed with fresh sludge, providing oxygen and a rapid mixing action. Oxidation ponds, or lagoons, are large, shallow ponds where wastewater is treated through sunlight, bacteria, and algae.

After treatment, the sludge, or biosolids, that accumulates in the sewage treatment plants must be treated and disposed of. This typically involves reducing its volume and stabilising the organic materials to prevent odour and health hazards. Methods for treating sludge include thickening, digestion, and dewatering. Thickening reduces the volume of sludge, digestion breaks down organic solids, and dewatering removes moisture from the sludge.

Plastic waste reduction

Reduce Single-Use Plastic Consumption

The easiest way to reduce plastic waste is by refusing single-use plastics, such as plastic bags, water bottles, straws, utensils, and takeout containers. Instead, opt for reusable alternatives like grocery bags, produce bags, bottles, utensils, and garment bags. Making these changes can significantly reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in the ocean.

Support Legislation and Initiatives

Advocate for and support legislation that aims to curb plastic production and improve waste management. This includes supporting local, national, and international laws and regulations that reduce plastic production, tax or ban unnecessary single-use plastics, and hold plastic producers accountable for their waste. These legislative efforts are crucial in addressing the plastic pollution crisis.

Participate in Beach and River Cleanups

Get involved in your community by participating in or organizing cleanups of local beaches, rivers, or waterways. This is a direct and rewarding way to remove plastic waste from the environment and prevent it from reaching the ocean. Join or support organizations like the Oceanic Society, Plastic Pollution Coalition, and Algalita, which are dedicated to reducing and eliminating plastic pollution.

Avoid Products Containing Microbeads

Microbeads are tiny plastic particles found in some face scrubs, toothpastes, and body washes. These microbeads easily pass through water treatment plants and harm marine life. Opt for natural exfoliants, and be cautious when purchasing cosmetics by checking ingredient lists for "polythelene" and "polypropylene," which indicate the presence of microbeads.

Purchase Items Secondhand

Consider buying secondhand items from thrift stores, garage sales, or online. By extending the life of plastic products, you reduce the demand for new plastic production. Additionally, choose clothing made from natural fibers like cotton and wool instead of synthetic fibers, as they contribute to the microplastic pollution in our oceans.

Water conservation

In the Bathroom

• Install a water-efficient toilet. Older toilets can use up to 3.5 gallons of water per flush, but modern water-efficient models use only 1.6 gallons or less. Some ultra-efficient toilets even use as little as 0.8-1.1 gallons per flush.
• Avoid using the toilet as a wastebasket. Only human waste and toilet paper should be flushed; items like dust cloths, wrappers, and tissues belong in the trash. This helps prevent blockages in sewage lines and makes wastewater treatment more effective.
• Install a water-efficient showerhead. Look for models that use 2.5 gallons or less of water per minute.
• Take shorter showers and reduce the time you spend in the bath.
• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.

In the Kitchen or Laundry

• Compost food scraps instead of using a garbage disposal.
• Keep a gallon of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap for cold water.
• Only run the washing machine with a full load of clothes. Use warm or cold water instead of hot, and hang your wash to dry whenever possible.

Outdoors

• Install a drip-irrigation water system for valuable plants.
• Use drought-tolerant plants and grasses for landscaping and reduce grass-covered areas.
• Cut your grass at least three inches high to make it more drought-tolerant, and keep your mower blades sharp.
• Water your plants in the early morning or evening to minimize evaporation.
• Use porous pavement, such as gravel, for driveways and walkways. This allows rainwater to recharge groundwater supplies instead of running off and contributing to erosion.
• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway or sidewalk.
• Wash your car less frequently, and when you do, opt for a car wash that recycles water. If washing at home, use a bucket of soapy water and keep a spring-loaded nozzle on the hose.

General Tips

• Be mindful of your plastic consumption and try to reduce, reuse, or recycle plastic items.
• Properly dispose of chemical cleaners, oils, and non-biodegradable items to prevent them from ending up in the water supply.
• Maintain your vehicle to prevent oil leaks, and clean up any leaks or spills promptly.
• Don't flush medications down the toilet or drain. Dispose of them in the trash to prevent them from entering local waterways.

Remember, water is a precious and scarce resource. By implementing these water conservation practices, you will not only help reduce water pollution but also lower your water bills and contribute to a healthier environment.

Green agriculture

Agriculture is a major cause of water pollution, with farming and livestock production using about 70% of the earth's surface water supplies. Water pollution is caused by the use of pesticides and chemical fertilisers, which wash away with stormwater, taking viruses and bacteria into the waterways. The agricultural sector is also a major contributor to contamination in estuaries and groundwater.

Plant trees and other plants near bodies of water

Trees and plants act as a natural barrier, keeping chemicals from being washed away when it rains. This simple act can help to prevent water pollution and protect the surrounding ecosystem.

Avoid using pesticides with harmful chemicals

Pesticides are a major source of water pollution, as they contain harmful chemicals that can poison freshwater, marine ecosystems, air and soil. These toxic chemicals can remain in the environment for generations and are suspected of disrupting the hormonal systems of people and wildlife. By avoiding the use of pesticides, farmers can reduce the risk of water pollution and protect the health of both humans and animals.

Implement denitrification processes

Denitrification is an ecological process that converts nitrates into nitrogen gas. This helps to prevent nitrates from being absorbed into the soil and contaminating the groundwater. When too much nitrate reaches groundwater, it causes an excessive growth of algae and phytoplankton, which can be harmful to people and wildlife. By implementing denitrification processes, farmers can help to reduce water pollution and protect the quality of groundwater.

Establish protection zones along watercourses and buffer zones around farms

Protection zones and buffer zones are effective in reducing pollution migration into water bodies. Vegetated filter strips at the margins of farms and along rivers can decrease the concentration of pollutants entering waterways.

Adopt integrated farming practices

Integrated farming ensures that waste from one enterprise becomes inputs for another, helping to optimise the use of resources and reduce pollution. By adopting integrated farming practices, farmers can increase production stability, resource use efficiency, and environmental sustainability.

Encourage sustainable resource management

Demand for agricultural commodities is rising with the world's growing population. Creative conservation measures are needed to reduce water consumption and improve water quality. Sustainable resource management can help to preserve critical habitats, protect watersheds, and enhance soil health and water quality.

Stormwater management

To reduce stormwater pollution, it is crucial to prevent pollutants from reaching local drains, creeks, rivers, and bays. Here are some effective strategies for stormwater management:

• Wash your car on grass or gravel, or take it to a commercial car wash that recycles water. This prevents oil, grease, and other contaminants from washing into stormwater drains.
• Properly dispose of leaves, garden clippings, and other organic waste by composting or binning them. This prevents these materials from entering drains and water bodies, reducing the risk of pollution and clogging.
• Sweep footpaths, driveways, and gutters regularly, and put the sweepings in the garden, compost, or bin. This helps to remove litter, leaves, and sediments that could otherwise end up in the water, causing pollution and blockages.
• Use native plants in your garden, as they require less water and fertiliser, reducing the amount of chemicals that can wash into stormwater.
• Avoid using weed killers, pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilisers, especially before rainy or windy weather. These chemicals can be washed away by stormwater, contaminating nearby water bodies.
• Stabilise the banks of rivers, creeks, and streams by planting vegetation. This helps to prevent soil erosion and reduces the amount of sediment entering the water.
• Set up barriers and pollution traps to prevent sediment and land-based pollution from building sites and other sources from washing into stormwater drains.
• Treat stormwater at the source of the pollutant by harvesting rainwater or using bio-filtration systems.
• Reduce agricultural nutrient runoff by limiting the use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers.
• Create artificial wetlands, which act as pollution traps, at the discharge points of catchments.
• Maintain your car and ensure there are no fuel or oil leaks. This prevents these pollutants from reaching stormwater drains and water bodies.
• Work on your car in a garage or covered area, not on the street, to prevent oil and grease from washing into gutters and stormwater drains.

By implementing these stormwater management strategies, we can significantly reduce the amount of pollution entering our water systems and protect the health of our environment.

Frequently asked questions