Helena Joyce
Water pollution is a pressing global issue that affects billions of people and countless ecosystems. One of the most significant sources of water pollution is sewage discharge, which can contaminate rivers, lakes, and oceans. In the UK, for example, there were over 399,864 discharges of untreated sewage into rivers in 2022, leading to a range of health issues for swimmers and water users. The pollution of rivers has many causes, including agricultural runoff, urban development, industrial waste, and plastic pollution. These contaminants can include chemicals, nutrients, heavy metals, pesticides, fertilizers, and pharmaceutical products. With only 14% of rivers in England considered to be in good ecological health, the impact of these pollutants on water quality and the health of both humans and aquatic life is a growing concern.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sewage and urban pollution | 36% of water bodies |
| Agricultural pollution | Leading cause of water degradation globally |
| Industrial pollution | Contributes to contamination in rivers, wetlands, lakes, estuaries, and groundwater |
| Contaminated runoff | Includes litter, petrol, pesticides, oil spills, tyre and brake wear, etc. |
| Incorrect plumbing | Causes sewage to run into rivers |
| Poorly maintained septic tanks | |
| Overwhelmed sewage systems | Caused by increased rainfall |
| Abandoned metal mines | Polluting 3% of water bodies |
| PFAS | Found in sewage, landfills, firefighting foam, and some industrial processes |
| Toxic metals | Copper, lead, cadmium, and mercury |
| Nutrient pollution | Caused by excess nitrogen and phosphorus |
| Thermal pollution | Heat released into bodies of water |
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What You'll Learn
Sewage and urban pollution
Untreated human sewage contains various pathogens, including salmonella, hepatitis, dysentery, cryptosporidium, and other infectious diseases. These pathogens can pose serious risks to human health, as evidenced by a 1998 study that attributed one-third of reported gastroenteritis cases and two-thirds of ear infection cases to water pollution. Sewage overflows and leaks must be stopped to ensure that no untreated sewage is released into rivers, streams, and lakes.
Urban pollution, also known as urban runoff, contributes to water pollution in rivers by carrying surface water pollutants from the urban environment into waterways. This can include litter, petrol, common garden pesticides, oil spills, tyre wear, and brake wear. Urban development and impervious surfaces, such as concrete and fake grass, can also contribute to sewage pollution in rivers by increasing the amount of rainfall that enters the sewerage network. This can overwhelm sewers and lead to the discharge of sewage into rivers.
The impact of sewage and urban pollution on river health is a growing concern. In 2020, no river in England and Wales was classed as being in good overall health. Public awareness and concern around water pollution in England's waterways have increased, with the actions of water companies and pollution from storm overflow discharges receiving scrutiny.
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Agricultural pollution
In England, violations of farming rules for water have reached record levels, with agricultural pollution causing widespread environmental problems in rivers. According to the Environment Agency, runoff from agriculture is the biggest single polluter of rivers, responsible for 40% of the damage to waterways. Excessive nitrogen from animal waste and fertiliser runoff can cause algae blooms, leading to oxygen depletion and the death of fish, plants, and other wildlife.
Similarly, in Wales, agricultural pollution incidents have negatively impacted rivers, lakes, and streams, affecting water quality, public health, and biodiversity. On average, there have been over three agricultural pollution incidents per week in the last three years, with the dairy sector being a major contributor.
To address this issue, the Welsh Government has introduced regulations to protect the health of Wales' rivers and waterways. For example, a new system is being trialled to treat animal waste from dairy farms by turning slurry into solid agricultural fertiliser and clean water, reducing spills and pollution.
The Environment Act in England has also set targets to reduce nutrient pollution in water, aiming to cut phosphorus in treated sewage and decrease nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment from agriculture by 40% by 2037. However, the lack of enforcement of existing laws and regulations remains a challenge, with environmental groups calling for stronger action against persistent offenders.
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Industrial pollution
The industrial sector is a significant contributor to water pollution, with chemical and manufacturing processes producing toxic wastes and organic pollutants that are released into water bodies. Many major industries have treatment facilities for industrial effluents, but small-scale industries often lack the necessary resources to invest in pollution control equipment. As a result, their waste is released into rivers without proper treatment, contaminating water sources and harming aquatic life.
One of the most concerning types of industrial waste is dry cleaning fluids, which have contaminated groundwater supplies across the United States. Perchloroethylene (PCE), a suspected carcinogen, is commonly found in dry cleaning fluids and must be removed from drinking water to very low levels to protect human health. Cemeteries are another source of groundwater contamination due to the use of embalming fluids and decaying organic matter.
Industrial activities also contribute to water pollution through the release of chemicals, nutrients, and heavy metals. These contaminants are carried from factories and industrial sites by streams and rivers, eventually making their way into the ocean. Marine debris, particularly plastic, is another consequence of industrial pollution, as it is often washed into the sea via storm drains and sewers. Oil spills and leaks further compound the problem, spoiling marine environments and contributing to carbon pollution in the water.
The effects of industrial pollution on water sources are far-reaching and devastating. Polluted water is unsuitable for drinking, recreation, agriculture, and industrial processes. It also diminishes the aesthetic quality of rivers and lakes and poses a hazard to aquatic life and human health. To address these issues, governments and organizations are developing policies, regulations, and technologies to reduce industrial discharges and improve waste treatment processes.
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Abandoned metal mines
Water pollution is a pressing issue that affects rivers globally. A variety of factors contribute to this problem, including sewage, urban pollution, agricultural pollution, and industrial pollution. One significant source of river water pollution is abandoned metal mines.
The pollution from abandoned mines often goes unnoticed, as rivers contaminated with metals like lead and cadmium remain clear. However, in some cases, rivers can turn orange when mine waters contain high levels of iron. To detect pollution, water samples are collected and metal concentrations are measured in laboratories to determine the extent of contamination.
The impact of abandoned metal mines on river pollution is significant, and addressing this issue is crucial. In January 2023, the UK Parliament approved a legally binding target to halve the length of rivers polluted by abandoned metal mines by 2038. This target will be achieved through the Water and Abandoned Metal Mines (WAMM) Programme, a collaboration between the Environment Agency, the Coal Authority, and Defra. The WAMM Programme currently operates four successful mine water treatment schemes, improving water quality in over 30 km of rivers.
One example of a successful mine water treatment scheme is the Force Crag treatment project. This scheme utilizes natural chemical and biological reactions to capture metals as the mine water passes through ponds containing compost and woodchips. The Wheal Jane mine, which closed in 1991, is another illustration of the consequences of abandoned metal mines. In 1992, 50 million liters of extremely acidic water were released in a single day, turning the Carnon River and the Fal Estuary orange and polluting them with invisible harmful metals. The government intervened by constructing a system to treat the mine water, now managed by the Coal Authority under the Defra-funded WAMM Programme.
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Oil and fat discharge
Oil pollution also enters waterways through industrial and domestic runoff. This can include spills in fuel depots, oil leaks in vehicles, and the improper disposal of oil and paint down storm drains. Pavement runoff, for example, can discharge as much oil into the water as a large oil tanker spill. In addition, used oil from do-it-yourself oil changes often ends up in the water; the average oil change uses almost five litres of oil, which can contaminate approximately 3.8 million litres of freshwater.
To address oil and fat pollution in rivers, regulations and treatment technologies have been implemented in various regions. The Clean Water Act (CWA) in the United States, for example, prohibits the discharge of pollutants, including oil and grease, into navigable waters without a permit. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) sets limits on effluent discharges, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides guidelines for oil and grease discharge limits for industries. Public education on proper disposal of cooking oils and grease is also important in reducing domestic contributions to wastewater.
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Frequently asked questions
The main sources of river water pollution are agriculture, wastewater and diffuse urban pollution. Sewage and wastewater are discharged into rivers across the UK and Ireland on a daily basis. In 2022, there were over 399,864 discharges of untreated sewage into UK rivers.
Water pollution is endangering the health of millions of people around the world. Polluted water is water that has become toxic and cannot be drunk or used for essential purposes like agriculture. It causes diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid and poliomyelitis that kill more than 500,000 people worldwide every year.
Agriculture is the leading cause of water degradation around the world. Farmers use nutrient-rich materials to improve soil quality for better crop growth. When it rains, these nutrients are washed into waterways. Fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste from farms and livestock operations wash nutrients and pathogens like bacteria and viruses into our waterways.
To reduce river water pollution, it is important to treat wastewater properly and restrict the use of single-use plastics. Individuals can also play a role by being mindful of what they flush down the toilet and pour down the sink, as these can contribute to sewer blockages and the formation of "fatbergs".
