how to prevent water pollution from industries

How industries can reduce water pollution more effectively

When it comes to global water pollution, industrial waste makes up for the majority of the sources. Industrial waste comprises of the waste that is generated during the industrial processes. These wastes include garbage, scrap metals, oils, chemicals, dirt, gravel, concrete, trash and more. These pollutants are harming the environment, humans, animals and the flora. And, the water pollution is also one of the reasons for water crisis across the globe.

There is an urgent need to reduce water pollution and save the potable water from getting contaminated. There are many ways industries can reduce water pollution including advanced technology like pilot water treatment plants.

How Industries are Responsible for Water Pollution

Industries are the largest contributors of water pollution. The industrial waste that includes hazardous waste includes harmful chemicals and metals that can easily contaminate water sources.

More often than not, the industrial waste is discarded via wastewater and this untreated wastewater can contaminate the ground water. This is one of the primary reasons for water pollution. Some of the industrial pollutants include cleaning fluids, pesticides, metals like mercury, lead and nitrate. Oils and petrochemical can also make the water too polluted for drinking or for other manufacturing purposes.  

Impact of Water Pollution By Industries

The most obvious consequences of water pollution are water crisis. The world is already dealing with water crisis due to shortage of clean water. If the industries keep on contaminating the available potable water, the crisis is likely to get intense. Which is industries need to take some more steps to reduce the industrial waste or find a way to prevent those harmful elements from getting into to the natural water resources like rivers, lakes and sea.

Other impact of industrial water pollution is destruction of the environment. When harmful chemicals and elements get into ground water, rivers, lakes or in the soil, they can create a very unhealthy environment. Threat to life – animals, plants, and humans – due to the presence of these harmful element is one of the risks of water pollution by industrial waste.

Need for Reducing Water Pollution

Reducing water pollution is very important given the crisis the world is facing like global warming, water and food crisis and more. Water is very important for everyone, from plants to animals and humans to industries. Even industries and commercial establishment need clean water for their processes.

Clean water is the need of the hour and reducing water pollution will help bridge the gap between demand and supply. Apart from that, water recycling, preservation and wastewater treatment will also help reduce the impact of growing water crisis.

Read More: Pilot Plants: The Key to Energy Efficiency in Water and Waste-Water Facilities

How Water Pollution can be Reduced?

There are various methods for reducing water pollution. Industries are already using some of the methods, but more advanced methods are needed to tackle the problem. Here are some of the ways industries can reduce water pollution:

• Reducing the waste produced so that the wastewater will help lesser number of contaminants in it. Industries can also change the composition of the products that are made to reduce the waste produced from them. • Reduce or completely eliminate the dangerous materials used in the production process. This can greatly reduce the amount of waste that is produced during the process. • Adopting the strategy of waste management system, waste minimization programs, loss prevention, and waste segregation, can help reduce water pollution. • Recycling water is another great way to reduce water pollution. But this will include water treatment before the water can be used or released into the nature. • Water treatment plants are helping industries fight the problem of water pollution. This is an advanced and highly effective method that can help industries become more responsible.

These are some of the best methods that industries can use to reduce water pollution and act responsibly to make the world a better place to live.

Pilot Water Treatment Plants

There are various methods that industries can use to reduce water pollution and one of them water treatment. Water treatment process can eliminate the most dangerous of elements from the water. After treatment, the wastewater can either be eliminated by realizing it or reusing it. Either way, water treatment is one of the best methods of reducing water pollution.

In order to create an effective water treatment plant, industries need pilot water treatment plants. What are pilot water treatment plants? They are small-scale water treatment plants used for conducting tests and experiments to gather data like effective methods, cost estimation, effectiveness and more. After this, the same water treatment plant can be established in a larger scale to meet the needs of particular industry’s water treatment needs.

What are the Methods used in Water Treatment Plants?

There are various types of methods used for water treatment. Depending on the results you want to see, cost, establishment requirements and preferences, industries can choose from the following methods:

• Reverse Osmosis • Ultrafiltration, Nano and Microfiltration • Adsorption Desalination • Membrane Distillation • Forward Osmosis

All these water treatment methods are highly effective. When used in pilot water treatment plants, they offer valuable data that can be used later to establish a fully-blown water treatment set-up at their premises.

The Bottomline

Reducing water pollution is the need of the hour and industries can use various methods for achieving these goals. Pilot water treatment plants can help industries find an effective solution for their water treatment needs. It can help address a wide range of issues like removing harmful contaminants, water recycling, reducing water wastage and much more. It is a highly effective, cost-saving and environmentally friendly solution that can help industries become better.

Keiken Engineering specializes in pilot water treatment plants for industries. With so any years in the field, and a highly experienced team, we can now assure you the best results. We can customize the solution to meet your specific needs to provide you a highly efficient and cost-effective solution.

Contact us at [email protected] or call us at +34 91 057 72 54 or +34 93 681 16 50 for more information and get details on our products and services.

Effects of Water Pollution: Causes, Consequences, & Solutions on Environment

• June 10, 2023
• Environment

Water pollution is a global environmental issue that affects the quality of our water bodies, threatening aquatic ecosystems and human health. This article explores the causes, consequences, and potential solutions to combat water pollution. By understanding the gravity of this problem, we can take necessary actions to protect and preserve our water resources for future generations.

Causes of Water Pollution:

• Industrial Discharges: Industrial activities often release harmful chemicals and pollutants into nearby water bodies, contaminating the water and endangering aquatic life.
• Agricultural Runoff: Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture results in runoff, carrying these pollutants into rivers and lakes, leading to eutrophication and the death of aquatic organisms.
• Sewage and Wastewater: Inadequate sewage treatment systems allow untreated or poorly treated wastewater to flow into water sources, introducing disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.
• Oil Spills: Accidental oil spills from shipping, offshore drilling, or transportation accidents have catastrophic effects on marine life, as oil coats and suffocates animals and birds, disrupting the entire ecosystem .

Consequences of Water Pollution:

• Threat to Aquatic Ecosystems: Water pollution disrupts the delicate balance of aquatic ecosystems by depleting oxygen levels, destroying habitats, and reducing biodiversity . This, in turn, affects fish populations and other aquatic organisms, leading to ecosystem collapse.
• Human Health Impacts: Contaminated water is a major source of waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and hepatitis. Additionally, long-term exposure to polluted water can lead to various health problems, including cancer, developmental disorders, and reproductive issues.
• Economic Toll: Water pollution has significant economic implications, including the decline of fisheries, tourism, and recreational activities. Cleaning up polluted water sources and providing clean water to affected communities also incur substantial costs.

Key Consequences in Detail:

• Eutrophication: Excessive nutrient runoff, mainly nitrogen and phosphorus, leads to eutrophication, causing algal blooms and depleting oxygen levels. This creates dead zones where marine life cannot survive.
• Bioaccumulation: Pollutants such as heavy metals and pesticides enter the food chain and accumulate in the tissues of aquatic organisms. As larger predators consume smaller ones, these pollutants become concentrated, posing risks to human health when consumed.
• Destruction of Coral Reefs: Water pollution, combined with factors like ocean acidification and rising temperatures, contributes to coral reef degradation. Coral reefs support a diverse range of marine life and act as natural barriers against coastal erosion.
• Disruption of the Water Cycle: Polluted water can interfere with the natural water cycle, affecting precipitation patterns, groundwater quality, and overall water availability in a region.

Solutions to Water Pollution:

• Enhanced Regulations: Governments should enforce stricter regulations on industrial and agricultural practices, ensuring proper waste management and reducing the release of pollutants into water bodies.
• Improved Sewage Treatment: Investing in modern wastewater treatment facilities and infrastructure can effectively treat and purify sewage before it is released back into the environment .
• Sustainable Agriculture: Promoting sustainable farming practices, such as organic farming and precision irrigation, can reduce the use of harmful chemicals and minimize agricultural runoff.
• Public Awareness and Education: Raising awareness about the importance of water conservation, pollution prevention, and responsible water usage is crucial in fostering a sense of environmental responsibility among individuals and communities.

Key Takeaways:

Water pollution poses a severe threat to our environment, economy, and public health. By understanding the causes, consequences, and solutions to combat water pollution, we can work together to protect and restore our precious water resources. Implementing stricter regulations, improving wastewater treatment, adopting sustainable agricultural practices, and promoting public awareness are essential steps towards achieving clean and healthy water bodies worldwide. Let us act now to ensure a sustainable future for ourselves and the generations to come.

FAQs about Effects of Water Pollution

Q: what is water pollution.

A: Water pollution refers to the contamination of water bodies such as rivers, lakes, oceans, and groundwater with harmful substances, chemicals, or pollutants, making the water unsafe for use and threatening aquatic ecosystems.

Q: What are the main causes of water pollution?

A: Water pollution can be caused by various factors, including industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, sewage and wastewater, oil spills, and improper waste disposal.

Q: How does water pollution affect the environment?

A: Water pollution has detrimental effects on the environment. It can lead to the loss of aquatic biodiversity, destruction of habitats, disruption of ecosystems, and the formation of dead zones where marine life cannot survive.

Q: How does water pollution impact human health?

A: Water pollution can have severe consequences for human health. Consuming contaminated water can lead to waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and hepatitis. Long-term exposure to polluted water can also result in various health problems, including cancer, developmental disorders, and reproductive issues.

Q: What are the economic impacts of water pollution?

A: Water pollution has significant economic implications. It can lead to the decline of fisheries, loss of tourism revenue, and increased costs for cleaning up polluted water sources. Providing clean water to affected communities and treating waterborne diseases also incur substantial financial burdens.

Q: How can we prevent water pollution?

A: Preventing water pollution requires collective efforts. Some key solutions include enforcing stricter regulations on industrial and agricultural practices, improving sewage treatment systems, promoting sustainable farming methods, and raising public awareness about water conservation and pollution prevention.

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How to Reduce Water Pollution

Last Updated: November 6, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Kathryn Kellogg . Kathryn Kellogg is the founder of goingzerowaste.com, a lifestyle website dedicated to breaking eco-friendly living down into a simple step-by-step process with lots of positivity and love. She's the author of 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste and spokesperson for plastic-free living for National Geographic. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,011,248 times.

Water is one of the world's most important resources, and we can all do our part to stop it from getting polluted. Simple changes like using natural cleaning products instead of toxic ones in your home and planting more trees and flowers in your yard can make an important impact. On a larger scale, consider speaking up against industries that dump waste into local streams, rivers, and beach fronts to reduce water pollution in your community. Every action you take makes a difference.

Use fewer chemicals to clean your home.

• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides a list of cleaning products (as well as a variety of other products) that are considered "green," meaning they won't pollute the water supply. See epa.gov/greenerproducts. [1] X Trustworthy Source United States Environmental Protection Agency Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices Go to source
• Common household supplies like white vinegar and baking soda can be used for everything from washing windows to scrubbing bathroom tiles, and they're completely non-toxic.

Dispose of waste properly.

• Cleaning solvents
• Pool chemicals

Don't flush medication.

Don't flush trash.

• You can also help by using cloth diapers, recycled toilet paper and biodegradable tampons, which reduces the number of items that end up in the landfill.

Conserve as much water as possible.

• Take showers instead of baths, since baths require more water.
• Turn off your faucets when you aren't using water, such as when you're brushing your teeth.
• Don't overwater your lawn. Make sure lawn sprinklers are turned off when it rains.
• Water your garden before the sun comes up or after it sets to reduce evaporation, which leads to water waste. [6] X Trustworthy Source National Resources Defence Council Multinational environmental advocacy group focused on grassroots activism and legislative action Go to source

Avoid using plastic.

Don't use pesticides and herbicides.

• Look into organic gardening practices to find creative ways to deal with garden pests. For example, many pests can be dealt with using a simple solution of dish soap and water.
• Planting native species can also help, since native species have developed a resistance to the pests and weeds in the area. Species native to other lands are more susceptible to disease as well.

Replace concrete with ground cover

Prevent soil erosion from occurring .

Contain and compost yard waste.

• Your compost should be contained in a bin or barrel to prevent the materials from being washed away. Some municipalities provide these for free or at low cost.
• Use a mulching mower instead of bagging grass clippings. Mulching mowers add a natural layer of compost to your lawn and you don't have to deal with disposal of grass clippings.
• Dispose of yard waste and grass clippings properly. If you don't compost or if you have yard waste that you can't compost, contact your local waste management or environmental protection agency to determine how to dispose them.

Keep your car in good repair.

• In addition, don't forget to dispose of motor oil properly instead of washing it down the drain.

Get involved at school and work.

• For example, you could recommend that your office or school switch to eco-friendly cleaning supplies, and make suggestions as to which ones work well.
• You could also put up signs reminding people to conserve water in the bathroom and kitchen areas. This could include reminders never to leave a sink running longer than necessary and encouraging the men or boys to use urinals rather than toilet stalls.

Help clean up litter in water-filled areas.

• If you can't find a local group working to reduce water pollution in your area, you might be just the person to start one! Consider hosting a cleanup day. Set a date, publicize the event, and have a plan in place for collecting and disposing of the trash.

Speak up about water issues that affect your community.

• Learn about local and national laws against water pollution and join up with groups working to protect water in your area. [15] X Trustworthy Source United States Environmental Protection Agency Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices Go to source
• Voting for political candidates who strive to protect waterways is a great way to do your part to reduce pollution.

Community Q&A

• If you are not sure whether something is hazardous, check with your local waste management or environmental protection department, or do some research online. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
• Think about the big picture. You may think that a little oil leak on your car isn't a big deal. However, the oil from thousands or millions of cars with minor oil leaks adds up quickly and soon you're looking at a cumulative oil spill far worse than any oil tanker crash. You can't fix all the oil leaks in the world, but you can fix yours. Be part of the solution. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
• In some areas, agricultural runoff may be a bigger pollution problem than urban runoff. If you're involved in agriculture, contact your local extension service or environmental protection agency to find out more about ways you can reduce your environmental impact. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1

Tips from our Readers

• You can help by picking up every single piece of trash around you to solve the problem of land pollution and also soil pollution, which can lead to water pollution. And maybe you can educate your family, friends, or even acquaintances on this topic. By doing this, you could help solve the problem of land and soil pollution.
• Limit how much asphalt, brick, concrete, cigarettes, alcohol (vineyards), and hair/clothing dyes you use. These are the biggest wastes of water!

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.epa.gov/greenerproducts
• ↑ https://raleighnc.gov/stormwater/services/spot-report-and-stop-water-pollution/6-ways-prevent-water-pollution
• ↑ https://www.nrdc.org/stories/water-pollution-everything-you-need-know#prevent
• ↑ https://www.nrdc.org/stories/6-ways-you-can-help-keep-our-water-clean
• ↑ Kathryn Kellogg. Environmentalist. Expert Interview. 28 June 2019.
• ↑ https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/great-pacific-garbage-patch/
• ↑ https://groundwater.org/threats/contamination/
• ↑ https://extension.psu.edu/the-role-of-trees-and-forests-in-healthy-watersheds
• ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/yard_waste_practices_impact_water_quality
• ↑ https://www.epa.gov/sourcewaterprotection/how-can-you-help-protect-source-water
• ↑ https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-water#wetlands

About This Article

To reduce water pollution, use natural cleaners like vinegar and baking soda in place of toxic chemicals like bleach and ammonia. Additionally, avoid using pesticides and herbicides in order to prevent groundwater contamination. If you need to dispose of old medications, look into local “take back” programs instead of flushing them down the toilet, where they can end up back in the drinking water. Additionally, avoid flushing non-biodegradable items like diapers and wet wipes, since they can harm fish and other wildlife when they end up in lakes and rivers. For more advice, including how to reduce water pollution by using pesticide and herbicide alternatives, keep reading. Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Water for all

Solving the water crisis, managing industrial pollution.

The human right to water was recognized by the United Nations on July 28th, 2010, yet 1.1 billion people still lack access to a safe water source [1]. Pollution is a major problem in many cases. For example, as a result of industrial pollution in China, whole villages have become cancer clusters, due to the incidence of abnormally high levels of cancer [2]. In Hazaribagh, Bangladesh, over 200 tanneries – most of them old and outdated – are clustered on 25 hectares of land, dumping a daily total of 22,000 cubic liters of toxic waste, including the carcinogen hexavalent chromium, into the river that doubles as a main water supply. Residents suffer not only from cancer but also from acid burns, rashes, aches, dizziness, and nausea [3]. From textile dyes to pesticides, industrial waste poisons rivers and lakes, and leaves the people dependent on these bodies of water with no safe options. Industry alone contributes 300 to 400 million tons of polluted waste in world waterways annually [4], and it is one of the largest sources of water pollution. Even worse, as economies grow, so does industry, resulting in rising industrial pollution levels [5]. In this section we will review the role of government in ensuring that industries reduce their pollution output, as well as a compilation of steps that industries themselves can take to comply with the regulations.

This plan will apply only to countries economically developed enough to have industry. The cutoff will be determined by the World Bank’s income categories, which in turn are based on cutoffs of gross national income (GNI) per capita, converted to international dollars [6] using the purchasing power of a U.S. dollar in the United States [7]. Once a country’s economy grows to the point where it reaches the middle-income levels or higher, it must implement the plan.

For less economically-developed countries ($1035 or less), the plan does not apply. Mission 2017′s recommendations are  for more economically-developed countries, such as lower-middle-income economies ($1036 to $4085), upper-middle-income economies ($4086 to $12615), and high-income economies ($12616 or more).

A full list of countries in each income category can be found here .

1. Setting Up an Environmental Agency 

The first step in making any sort of regulation will be to set up an environmental agency that can carry out these regulations. Funding for the agency will come from the government, and will be allocated as part of the budget. Budgeting can follow the model of the EU, which spends 1.7 percent of its annual GDP on environmental protection [9]. Countries must spend a minimum of 1 percent of their GDP on their environmental agency. This money will be used to run the agency and any programs it may administer.

2. International Cooperation 

With regards to international levels of pollution, countries need to meet and agree upon specific levels of pollution for all waste, from thermal to chemical pollution, through an international organization .  As with industrial pollution, this must take place prior to the development of of any national regulations to ensure that the regulations are in accordance with the international agreement. More information on how these agreements will be reached can be found here .

3. Cap and Trade 

As soon as international regulations are developed, environmental agencies at the national level can initiate the process of developing incentives for compliance like a cap and trade program to limit pollution if the country is more developed. Less developed countries may not be ready for the complex permit market that cap and trade calls for, and they may want to have simple effluent limitations (caps per firm on how much they can emit). The details of the program, especially the new caps, will be made available to the public as soon as they are completed. This cap will initially be only slightly lower than the current level of pollution, so five years should be sufficient for firms to prepare for enforcement. The government will then issue permits to factories/corporations, some free and some auctioned. The cap will be lowered periodically for an indefinite amount of time by the country’s environmental agency.

As the cap and trade program will be managed by the environmental agency, the agency’s budget will cover the costs of administration. The revenue brought in by the program should be invested in water pollution reduction research, or used to subsidize infrastructure projects.

To ensure compliance, all firms will be required to have monitoring equipment to record their levels of pollution. The agency will conduct periodic checks on a randomly selected 10 percent of the firms.

More detailed information on the benefits and implementation of cap and trade can be found here .

How to Achieve the New Standards

Besides the conventional industrial water treatment methods, such as settling out particles or skimming off oils, there are more unique, advanced techniques that can become the future of water treatment.

Treating Contaminated Groundwater

Groundwater is extremely difficult to treat, more so than surface water. Groundwater that has been polluted can be decontaminated by the “pump and treat method”, in which groundwater is pumped to the surface and treated, with methods such as air stripping and activated carbon filtering. The total course of treatment usually lasts five to ten years, but can go on for decades. During air stripping, water is sprayed over packing material, and as it trickles down, fans blow upwards to facilitate the evaporation of volatile chemicals such as fuels and solvents.

Activated carbon filters – found in tap water and fish tank filters – are pore-riddled pieces of carbon derived from charcoal; the chemicals stick to the surfaces of the pores, allowing clean water to flow out. These filters are expensive and must be cleaned often [5]. However, new technology to reactivate carbon and recycle the filters is being explored, with cost savings of 20 to 40 percent [6].

Phytoremediation medium term

Phytoremediation relies on the roots of plants and trees to clean water of pesticides, metals, and oils. Similar to wetlands, tree roots (which can reach far down, even into aquifers) take up water with chemicals and either turn the chemicals into gases released through the leaves, or hold onto chemicals until the tree is removed, thereby keeping them out of the soil [5].

Phytoremediation works best in large but shallow areas of relatively low contamination. One example is the Oregon Poplar site in Clackamas, Oregon, planted in a small grassy field contaminated by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) left probably by illegal dumping. In 1998, poplar trees were plants; in four years, the trees were thriving. Tissue samples from the trees proved that the trees were taking up the VOCs, though soil and water samples were inconclusive. In another poplar site, VOCs have been found in leaf tissues and in the gas and water vapor released from the trees, further evidence of the trees removing, breaking down, and re-releasing the once-polluting compounds [7].

Phytoremediation often takes many years, but it relatively inexpensive: cleaning one acre of sandy loam soil at a depth of 50 centimeters with phytoremediation would cost between $60,000 and $100,000, while conventional treatment of the same soil would cost around $400,000 [5].

The Role of Industry

Common belief has always been that money spent on environmental protection by industries was money lost, either in profits or in extra costs to the public. However experts recently have presented the idea that paying attention to pollution reduction improves profits through increased efficiency and gaining more environmentally-conscious clients [11].

The Consumer’s Role

There are more unorthodox ways to reduce pollution. For example, a Chinese nonprofit organization, the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, released a report on and contacted the CEOs of 48 international brands linked to polluting Chinese suppliers. Since the organization’s founding in 2006, 50 companies have agreed to work with it on reducing the environmental impact of their suppliers [12].

But action is not limited to large organization; ordinary citizens can also make an impact on pollution prevention. In China, social media has become an outlet for citizens to express their outrage over blatantly ignored regulations and widespread pollution. Citizen outbursts have led to much greater awareness of government inaction, and the pressure on officials is mounting [2].

Some species of bacteria are capable of digesting oil and industrial chemicals, making them natural choices for industrial cleanup. For example, bacteria were used as part of the oil removal after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill. For wastewater that contains a variety of chemicals, different bacteria can be used in combination. Another example is an ongoing project to use many species of genetically modified bacteria to clean up chemical-laden wastewater from fracking. This process can eventually be extended to work on other industrial chemicals [13].

Zero Discharge: Reusing Water long term

Another way to ensure that pollution from industrial wastewater does not reach waterways is to never discharge the wastewater to begin with. In the late 1980s, zero discharge, or 100% recycling of wastewater, became a goal in the United States. For example, water is reused in the food and beverage industry, where water is used not only as an ingredient but also for cleaning, boiling, cooling, transportation, and conditioning of raw materials. Distillation, or the process of evaporating and then condensing the now pure water vapor, is currently used, but research has shown that a combination of membrane filtration and UV disinfection may also be successful [14].

Special Focus: Mining

Mining is not only highly water-intensive but also polluting, producing contamination in the form of acid mine drainage, chemical pollution, heavy metal pollution, and sedimentation. However, there is a plethora of wastewater treatment methods: for example, neutralizing the acid mine drainage with a basic chemical, or reducing sedimentation by covering the soil when it rains. More details about methods of treating mine wastewater – coal mining and hydraulic fracturing in particular – can be found on the mining page.

Implementation

These solutions will be paid for by industries; firms will be willing to pay because noncompliance with regulations will result in suspension or revocation of operating licenses.

Unfortunately, implementation is far more than just making new rules. In many countries, economic growth comes first, with environmental awareness trailing far behind. As a case study, China’s enforcement of environmental regulations is hampered by the pressure on local governments to produce revenue. Currently, China is attempting to change this focus with incentives such as a carbon emissions trading market – essentially, cap and trade – to give environmental protection some monetary value. Mission 2017’s cap and trade program will accomplish the same goal. However, this is only part of the solution: according to Ma Jun, one of China’s most well-known environmentalists, public motivation is essential for change to happen. Mission 2017 plans to address this through improved education; part of the plan includes providing water at schools to make schools safer and improve attendance. More information on how education can be improved is found here  [16].

The first step to managing pollution is international collaboration, so that neighboring countries can reach an agreement on pollution in shared rivers. Within countries, Mission 2017 recommends that pollution is controlled through regulation, particularly a cap and trade program that will put a limit on the total pollution entering the environment. The program will be created and overseen by the country’s environmental agency. After the cap and trade program is implemented, a variety of steps can be taken to make sure firms stay under their pollution allocations, from reusing water to harnessing bacteria. Some of these, like developing genetically modified bacteria to digest certain pollutants, are solutions in progress that may become more widely used in the future as more advances are made. Fully controlling industrial polluton will take anywhere from 50 to 100 years – the time frame is inexact, but as a reference point, it will take seven years to clean one short river (the Hudson) of one pollutant (polychlorinated biphenyls) [16]. Managing industrial pollution will require participation on the international, national, and industry level, but it can be done.

1. Health through safe drinking water and basic sanitation. (n.d.). WHO. Retrieved November 23, 2013, from http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/mdg1/en/

2. Duggan, J. (2013, March 4). China comes clean on water pollution. Aljazeera. Retrieved November 26, 2013, from http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/02/201322811575389871.html

3. institute. (n.d.). Hazaribagh. worstpolluted.org. Retrieved December 1, 2013, from http://www.worstpolluted.org/files/FileUpload/files/2013/Hazaribagh.pdf

4. Water quality. (n.d.). UN water. Retrieved November 23, 2013, from http://www.unwater.org/downloads/water_quality.pdf

5. Cleaning Up After Pollution. (n.d.). SafeWater.org. Retrieved November 27, 2013, from http://www.safewater.org/PDFS/resourcesknowthefacts/Cleaning_Up_Pollution.pdf

6. A Short History. (n.d.). Data. Retrieved November 23, 2013, from http://data.worldbank.org/about/country-classifications/a-short-history

7. GNI per capita, PPP (current international $). (n.d.). Data. Retrieved November 22, 2013, from http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GNP.PCAP.PP.CD

8. 17. Government expenditure by function – COFOG. (2013, July 23). Eurostat. Retrieved December 1, 2013, from http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/statistics_explained/index.php/Government_expenditure_by_function_%E2%80%93_COFOG

9.  Spent Carbon Reactivation – A “Green” and Economic Process for Product Purification and Regulatory Compliance . (n.d.). Siemens. Retrieved November 27, 2013, from http://www.water.siemens.com/en/products/activated_carbon/Pages/spent-carbon-reactivation.aspx

10. Using Phytoremediation to Clean Up Sites. (n.d.). EPA. Retrieved November 30, 2013, from http://www.epa.gov/superfund/accomp/news/phyto.htm

11. King, A., & Lenox, M. (2002). Exploring the locus of profitable pollution reduction. Management Science, 48(2), pp. 289-299.

12. Hines, A. (2012, April 23). Major Retailers Contribute To Severe Water Pollution In China: Report. The Huffington Post. Retrieved November 27, 2013, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/23/china-water-pollution-fashion-textile-factories_n_1445766.html

13. Hyman, V. (2013, April 30). Purifying bad water with good bacteria. Research at the U of M. Retrieved November 27, 2013, from http://researchumn.com/2013/04/30/purifying-bad-water-with-good-bacteria

14. Water recycling in the food and beverage industry. (n.d.). Water Treatment Solutions. Retrieved November 27, 2013, from http://www.lenntech.com/water_reuse_food_industry.htm

15. Phillips, A. (2013, November 26). Inside China’s Desperate Effort To Control Pollution — Before It’s Too Late. Climate Progress. Retrieved December 2, 2013, from http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2013/11/26/2981521/china-environment-pollution-government/

16. Hudson River Cleanup. (2013, April 12). EPA. Retrieved November 27, 2013, from http://www.epa.gov/hudson/cleanup.html#quest2

• What is Biodiversity?
• Cost of Inaction
• Useful Current Policies
• Invasive Species
• Climate Change
• Shortcomings of Current Policies
• Urban Sprawl
• Agriculture

Air Pollution

Nutrient Pollution

Aquatic Pollution

• Overfishing
• Lack of Awareness
• Bee Technology
• Green Technology
• Marine Technology
• Monitoring Biodiversity
• Selection Methodology
• Protectors of Biodiversity
• Division of Protected Areas
• Controlling Urban Sprawl

Industrial Pollution

• Dealing With Invasive Species
• Hydroponics
• Perennial Agriculture
• Meat Production
• Marine Protected Areas
• Bioleaching
• More on Biotrade
• LEDC / MEDC Comparison
• Ecosystem Integration
• National Scale
• Changing Views
• Current Views
• Optimizing Supply Chain
• Implementation
• Get Involved

Solutions for Industrial Pollution

Industrial pollution has adversely affected biodiversity for the last two centuries and continues to increase globally. The effect most closely correlated with loss of ecosystem services is toxification of environmental sites , whereby the organisms living in the ecosystem are damaged because of the poisonous nature of many pollutants. As many toxicants (poisonous materials) can act even with very minimal exposure, it is almost impossible and economically infeasible to remove dissolute pollution from the environment with modern technical methods. Only spatially and temporally concentrated pollution can be retracted effectively by anthropogenic efforts, and such methods are already in use in such projects as the U.S. Superfund, a program implemented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to contain hazardous pollution and restore polluted sites. Any dissolute pollution (pollution present in low concentrations in aquatic systems) cannot be removed efficiently by human efforts since such large areas are affected and must therefore be removed through natural biodegradation. The only way to restore biodiversity to areas affected by dissolute pollution is to remove the sources of pollution, make sure that toxic buildups can be naturally removed through chemical, physical and biological processes (Alexander, 2000) and ensure that pollution-intolerant organisms have access to recolonize the area. The process, especially of the last two steps, is very time-consuming; it may take 10 to 50 years to increase biodiversity in the system and rebuild ecosystem services (Langford et al., 2010), as evidenced from cleanup efforts in the U.S. and the U.K.

To evaluate solutions to pollution, it may be helpful to distinguish between different kinds of industrial pollution. A first and common distinction is between sources of pollution: point sources, which are spatially and temporally defined such as a factory, and non-point sources, which are impossible to locate or confine such as household emissions (Auty, 1997). Only point sources can be effectively reduced by treatment of waste due to the possibility of regulation, whereas lessening the overall consumption will affect both point and non-point sources. Another distinction may be chosen between the use of the pollutant: agrochemicals, industrial organic and inorganic waste, and household emissions of chemicals.

Organic and inorganic wastes are releases of large amounts of the most ecotoxic materials such as heavy metals, ammonia, cyanide, volatile organic compounds, halogenated organic compounds and arenes (U.S. EPA, 2011). Release of these chemicals into the environment is not intentional; that is, the release of these chemicals is not required in order for any process to work.

Because agrochemicals are intentionally released into the environment, prohibiting their usage would probably not be politically or economically feasible. This kind of regulation would significantly raise food prices and incur food shortages and famines because pests would destroy a significant amount of the crop yield. A feasible solution should include both reduction of use and shifts to less chronically toxic products. As such a solution may lead to a reduction of crop yield and will definitely require farmers in industrialized countries to change their habits, it can only be implemented through enforced government regulations. To make decisions about how to regulate agrochemicals, governments will need objective data on the damage pollutants pose to environments.

Data on ecotoxicity was historically accumulated by reviewing polluted sites and comparing them to pristine sites or to historical data, but this comparison is sometimes difficult due to the absence of truly pristine sites (Grant et al., 2010). Where pollution has already been released into the environment, circumstances previous to the pollution are difficult to extrapolate. Instead, the U.S. EPA takes a preemptive approach to minimizing damage to ecosystems from pesticides by requiring chemical industries to register new pesticides for use. According to EPA policy, pesticides need to pass a series of tests demonstrating that they are not "unreasonably" harmful to the surrounding ecosystems (concerning both their toxicity and their degradability). The EPA does not conduct these tests but reviews research that needs to be submitted before a product can be sold on the market (U.S. EPA, 2011). This research is put into models which classify the product's bioavailability to organisms in the environment and its relative toxicity (U.S. EPA, 2011). However, these models are only available for pesticide use; many other pollutants do not have such extensive toxicity data, which makes it difficult to assess the effects on the environment before pollution.

While expansive toxicity databases exist for most laboratory materials, agrochemicals and heavy metal compounds, such data is only just being accumulated for household, medicinal and other regularly applied chemicals and has not yet resulted in governmental regulations even though the amount of use may be considered a valid concern (Tillet, 2009). However, compared to other types of chemical pollutants, most household and medical chemicals do not have comparable ecotoxicity and are less harmful due to environmental concentrations on the parts per trillion scale.

Reducing Pollution:

There are two approaches through which pollution can be reduced:

• Reducing consumption or usage of a polluting product
• Treatment of wastes, discharges and disposals of a pollutant

Yet waste treatment can only be effective if pollution is coming from a defined and accessible source (point source).

Many countries, including the E.U., Switzerland, Canada and the U.S., have effectively implemented systems that treat waste water for most chemicals, yet significant improvement in methods are possible. In such improvements, priority should be given to considering the use of microbes or fungi for cleanup of heavy metals and organic compounds that are hard to degrade because of their high efficiency relative to chemical or physical methods (Christensen, 1989). Most developing and threshold countries lack treatment facilities (World Bank, WDI, 2006), meaning waste waters in these countries are significantly more toxic per unit mass then waste water in developed countries, which is also a result of companies shifting pollution-intensive production to countries with fewer environmental restrictions. This is especially observed in the mining industry , where treatment of waste is often very expensive and pollutants are very toxic (Diamond, 2005).

It is often assumed that governmental restrictions or strong consumer pressure are necessary to cause significant reduction in the production of polluting goods, because there is usually no short-term internal benefit to reducing pollution for corporations. The reasons corporations reduce their pollution are based on consumer preference for low-pollution goods and the high cost of noncompliance with environmental regulations (Innes & Sam, 2008). But reducing pollution does not only mean treating waste or paying for waste removal, which only raises costs. Research suggests that preventing pollution during the production process by reducing use of pollutants or implementing low-use techniques actually increases efficiency and financial performance of private corporations by an additional 5 to 8 percent over five years (King & Lenox, 2002).

Consumers and governments need to do their part to push companies to decrease pollution. Although pollution prevention can provide a financial incentive for private corporations, consumer pressure is still necessary to develop company awareness of pollution issues. To implement standards throughout a pollution-intensive industry, a government agency must implement environmental regulations. Regulations could include a levy or tax plan which would make polluters pay a fixed amount of money for pollution, a cap-and-trade system which would fix the amount of emissions, prescription of maximum releases, or minimum waste reduction techniques. Such regulations might come with a high cost to production if no comparable alternatives are available and efficiency measures are already exploited. However, according to a study by King and Lenox (2002), efficiency measures are underestimated by at least 30 percent of managers. The potential for development of efficiency has resulted in a small industry of efficiency counseling, which could be helpful in eliminating unnecessary pollution from industrial processes. In general, government regulations need to be stronger in order to eliminate such industrial overuse of pollutants and provide incentives for research and implementation of more efficient techniques. The exact guidelines must be determined by case, as different pollutants have different effects and can be reduced by different measures, which warrants different approaches.

A long-term solution that could reduce pollution from agricultural chemicals is research into more sustainable methods of farming large amounts of food, such as ecosystem engineering or biomimicry. This research focus is necessary for an eventual transition to non-polluting agriculture, which is not feasible now because current methods don't work. However, non-polluting agriculture will eventually become necessary, because all pesticides are by definition poisons; indefinitely relying on them is not a solution that will generate integrated ecosystems, which are necessary to eventually increase biodiversity while keeping high yields.

Other organic materials are often not quite as toxic as pesticides, yet studies have found that degraded forms of dichlophenac, a common painkiller, have caused the loss of kites, a carrion-eating bird, in Pakistan and India (Oaks et al., 2004). Organic solvents can also have high toxicity values, making them ecologically significant as well. Unlike agrochemical pollution, which occupies too much area and includes too many possibilities for runoffs to be modeled as a point source, most other organic chemicals released to the environment are gathered in waste disposals of urban or industrial sewage systems and can theoretically be treated. For effective treatment, the proper degrading microbes as well as enough time are necessary, which means that extensive treatment plants should be developed for many countries. This treatment could take the form of microbial degradation plants commonly used in industrialized countries or, if sufficient space were available, constructing degrading wetlands could be a cost-effective alternative.

Degrading Toxicants

In the case of pollution leading to buildup of toxic material, reduction of availability to the environment must be ensured to rebuild ecosystem services in a polluted area. Although physical or chemical methods such as change in acidity or absorption into the soil can help decrease the availability of chemicals, additional monitoring and securing is necessary to make sure that the pollutant is not brought back into the environment. Ideally, the system should be able to degrade the pollutant by microbes or fungi, as this will irreversibly destroy the toxicant.

Many inorganic materials take a long time to biodegrade, which means that their buildup rate is almost proportional to the total rate of pollution at any given time. These are also often some of the most potent and generally poisonous materials and thus strongly toxic even in low concentrations. Influential inorganic pollutants include non-metals like ammonia and cyanide and heavy metals such as Cu, Hg, Cd among others, which are all toxic in various degrees. Many inorganic discharges are point sources, so proper treatment of material is generally possible through biological degradation with microbes and fungi or electrokinetic treatment (the use of electricity to reduce heavy metal ions and turn them into elemental precipitates). Also, most heavy metals are much less toxic in alkaline environments, a fact that can be used in treatment plans. Some combination of these three techniques should be established to lower emissions for point source metal pollution.

Recolonization

After a site has been rid of its toxicity and offers a space in which normal, pollution-intolerant organisms can live, recolonization and reconstruction of the ecosystem need to occur. This recolonization depends on the availability of organisms to refill the parts of the ecosystem that have been destroyed. If a distinct and isolated environment were destroyed, such as pond ecosystem, not all species may be available in close proximity.

Macroorganisms, like mammals, amphibians, or fish, often have their own mechanisms of travel, yet even many of them need connected biomes. On the other hand, many smaller organisms that are essential to the ecosystem, such as small insects or microbes, cannot travel on their own and rely on wind, rain, drift, or transportation by other organisms to change places. Macroorganism travel may be significantly impaired by habitat fragmentation through urbanization , pollution of river biomes all the way to their sources, or an extinction or large reduction in numbers of transporting species such as waterfowl (Yukimura et al., 2009). These obstacles are also often directly correlated to the pollution or the cause of pollution. For instance, strong industrial presence can pollute environments, but will also lead to urbanization and habitat fragmentation due to workers living nearby. If there are no colonies preserved from pre-pollution eras and classical mechanisms of transport have been destroyed for organisms occupying important niches in the ecosystems, careful human intervention may be needed to introduce necessary species.

Action Plan

In conclusion, any action plan to reduce industrial pollution will need to be tailored toward specific pollutants to work well and not pose undue risks on either the economy or the environment. A slightly generalized plan based on the different kinds of solutions available can be proposed for the different pollutants:

Reduction of Pollution:

• Toxic metals should have a restriction on maximum environmental release based on relative toxicity levels and accumulation rates in ecosystems. If it is inevitable that heavy metals will be released in waste, treatment is necessary before the waste is be released into the environment. In a series of steps, electrolysis should be used to reduce precious metals (Cu, Ag), which can then be refined and sold. Then, biological processing with the appropriate microbes should be used to reduce toxicity of very reactive ions (Hg, Cd, Mn). Last, the waste solution should be made slightly alkaline to precipitate as much metal hydroxides as possible before release into the environment.
• Toxic organic compound emissions that are not pesticide applications should be reduced by setting a fixed standard of emissions and ecotoxicity in a cap-and-trade system which can gradually be lowered. Ideally, this would eventually lead to zero emissions, as most organic compounds can be degraded by microbes and thus treated effectively. If compounds are found to be excessively toxic, a blanket ban should be introduced.
• Agrochemicals should be subject to a taxation system in which the ecotoxicity of the compound determines the levy. However, some dangerous pesticides such as atrazine should be incorporated in a cap-and-trade system of dangerous agrochemicals that would gradually be lowered to allow time for transition to less dangerous chemicals. Again, excessively toxic compounds will need to be removed from the market by a blanket ban.

Detoxification and Recolonization:

• Strongly polluted sites should be cleaned up through progams such as the U.S. Superfund, though bioremediation and in-site cleanup should be the preferential treatment options.
• Physical and chemical reductions to bioavailability will need to be secured additionally, preferably by an irreversible degradation, so that pollutants cannot be released again.
• Once a site has been detoxified, appropriate measures should be taken to ensure that all important positions of the biome can be fulfilled.

Research is necessary for more advanced treatment plans, systems of production that do not use polluting agents and remediation technology. Research should be influenced by key concepts such as integration of ecosystems and biomimicry

• Works Cited
• Auty, R. M. (1997). Pollution patterns during the industrial transition. The Geographical Journal, 163(2, Environmental Transformations in Developing Countries), pp. 206-215.
• Diamond, J. (2005). In — (Ed.), Collapse: How societies choose to fail or succeed [Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed] (— Trans.). (1st ed.). 375 Hudson St. New York, New York, USA: Viking Penguin (Penguin Group USA).
• Ecology of industrial pollution (2010). In Batty L. C., Hallberg K. B. (Eds.), . Cambridge, , GBR: Cambridge University Press.
• Innes, R., & Sam, A. (2008). Voluntary pollution reductions and the enforcement of environmental law: An empirical study of the 33/50 program. Journal of Law and Economics, 51(2), pp. 271-296.
• King, A., & Lenox, M. (2002). Exploring the locus of profitable pollution reduction. Management Science, 48(2), pp. 289-299.
• Kise Yukimura, Ryosuke Nakai, Shiro Kohshima, Jun Uetake, Hiroshi Kanda, Takeshi Naganuma. (2009). Spore forming halophilic bacteria isolated from arctic terrains: Implications for long range transportation of microorganisms. [Spore forming halophilic bacteria isolated from Arctic Terrains: Implications for long range transportation of microorganisms] Polar Science, 3(3), 163-169. doi:10.1016/j.polar.2009.07.002
• Lindsay Oaks, J., Martin Gilbert, Munir Z. Virani, Richard T. Watson, Carol U. Meteyer, Bruce A. Rideout, H. L. Shivaprasad, Shakeel Ahmed, Muhammad Jamshed Iqbal Chaudhry, Muhammad Arshad, Shahid Mahmood, Ahmad Ali & Aleem Ahmed Khan. (2004). Dichlophenac residues as the cause of vulture population decline in pakistan. [Dichlophenac redidues as the cause of vulture population decline in Paksitan] Nature, 427(02/12), 630-633. doi:10.1038/nature02317
• Tillett, T. (2009). Meeting report. summit focuses on pharmaceuticals in drinking water. Environmental Health Perspectives, 117(1), p. A16.
• U.S. EPA. (2011). ECOTOX database. Retrieved 11/19, 2011, from http://cfpub.epa.gov/ecotox/
• U.S. EPA. (2011). Models and databases. Retrieved 11/19, 2011, from http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/science/models_db.htm
• U.S. EPA. (2011). Remediation technologies: Tools and resources to assist with contaminated sites remediation. Retrieved 11/18, 2011, from http://www.epa.gov/superfund/remedytech/remed.htm
• U.S. EPA. (2011). Test guidelines for data requirements. Retrieved 11/19, 2011, from http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/science/guidelines.htm

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Water Pollution Solutions

• August 24, 2021

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Water covers around 71% of the Earth’s surface, and one of the main issues we are facing today is water pollution. We must reduce water pollution, which is why there are many solutions to combat the problem. 

Sometimes water becomes polluted with chemicals such as oil, harmful bacteria, and other microorganisms. When water becomes polluted, water quality is reduced, often becoming toxic, negatively affecting animals, plants, and the environment. Just because you cannot see the problem or it disappears, it doesn’t mean that it just vanishes. 

The best solution to prevent water pollution is to stop it at the source. Luckily, there are many solutions in reducing water pollution such as wastewater treatments, stormwater management, and water conservation. 

In this article, we are going to cover what water pollution is, solutions to combat the issue, and how to measure water quality. 

What Is Water Pollution?

Water pollution is the contamination of any water system or body, from lakes and oceans to groundwater. We are well aware of water pollution issues thanks to media coverage, especially as we are still producing harmful chemicals that find their way into our waters. 

When water becomes contaminated, it has detrimental effects on both animals and plants (who rely on uncontaminated water), and the sensitive water environment. 

Global warming is increasing, and it is an issue we cannot turn a blind eye to. With climate change and global warming, our precious planet is starting to edge towards a water crisis. Our global population is increasing, putting demand on water availability, and because of this, we are seeing an increase in waterborne diseases due to our waters becoming polluted. 

What Causes Water Pollution?

To find solutions to the water pollution issue, we must understand what causes it in the first place. Causes of water pollution can be anything from overdevelopment to inappropriate sewage disposal. 

Once the cause of water pollution is identified, solutions can be made to combat the issue. 

Water pollution can come from any of the following:

• Urban development 
• Sewage & wastewater
• Marine dumping
• Oil leakages
• Burning fossil fuels
• Agriculture: Chemical fertilizers & pesticides
• Sewer leakages
• Global warming
• Radioactive waste
• Animal waste
• Eutrophication 

10 Solutions to Combat Water Pollution

There is no single or simple answer to stop the water pollution crisis, however, there are many solutions to prevent water pollution both in our daily lives and within industries. 

We can separate the issue with water pollution into 10 notable solutions:

Wastewater Treatment

• Reducing Plastic Waste 

Water Conservation

• Water-efficient Toilets 

Septic Tanks

Do not use the toilet as a trash bin, stormwater management, green agriculture & wetlands, denitrification, ozone wastewater treatment.

Treating water before it enters the waterway system is probably the most efficient way of reducing water pollution – hitting the issue right at the source! 

Wastewater treatment facilities have the technology and tools to remove most pollutants through biological, physical, and chemical processes. For example, sewage treatments allow water to travel through different sanitization chambers to reduce toxic levels of water pollutants and prevent leakages into water systems. 

To ensure that wastewater treatments function properly, regular maintenance of equipment is required. This includes applications such as water treatment sensors, which are vital to measure and remove contaminants to reduce water pollution. 

Water treatment sensors:

• Conductivity sensors
• Oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) sensors

Reducing Plastic Waste

Plastic waste is a huge issue. More than 8 tonnes of plastic enters our ocean every year, plus the plastic is to outweigh the number of fish by 2050, these facts are shocking! Plastic waste also decays water supplies. This is why it is extremely important to reduce plastic waste and improve sustainability both locally and globally. 

Plastic bottles and bags get most of the media coverage, but plastics are entering water systems in ways you cannot always see, and are most likely not aware of. 

Microplastics are a major issue and are found in:

• Industrial manufacturing
• Synthetic textiles 
• Personal care products (toothpaste, shampoo, etc.)

To reduce plastic waste at home, we can do the following:

• Recycle plastics
• Use alternatives to plastic like reusable utensils, grocery bags, etc.
• Shop locally and buy fruit & vegetables not wrapped in plastic
• Buy organic/natural & environmentally-friendly care products 

Do you turn the tap off when brushing your teeth, or between shampooing your hair in the shower? 

Water is a scarce resource, so limiting the amount of water you use daily will contribute to reducing water pollution. 

Water-efficient Toilets

Toilets used to use ~3.5 gallons of water per flush, however, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) enforced the rule that all toilets must only flush 1.6 gallons of water, per flush.  

Most houses are now being built with toilets that have 2 buttons, one for a small flush (0.8-1.1 gallons of water), and one for full power (1.6 gallons of water). Water-efficient toilets are one step in the right direction to conserve water and reduce water pollution. 

Having a water-efficient toilet will also save you money!

Septic tanks are a great way to efficiently treat sewage; separating solids from liquid. Septic tanks degrade solids and allow liquid to flow into drainage systems via biological processes. 

Using septic tanks reduces water pollution by removing pollutants already present in water. 

Your toilet is not a trash bin, it is for human waste only. Avoid flushing wet wipes, diapers, and other things that cross your mind down the toilet – that is what a trash bin is for. 

Flushing these items down the toilet can cause sewage lines to become blocked, therefore the sewage system cannot do its job properly. When things get blocked, water cannot be cleaned efficiently in wastewater facilities or a septic tank. 

Another way we can combat water pollution is to manage stormwater where possible. Stormwater flows along the road and other surfaces, which can collect viruses, bacteria, and other harmful pollutants, which then make their way into drains, rivers, and eventually the ocean. 

Treatment and management of stormwater vary from reverse osmosis (RO), advanced oxidation, and sand filtration. 

Agriculture is a trillion-dollar industry worldwide, using up to 70% of surface water supplies to meet the demand of livestock production and farming. 

As agriculture is such a large industry, it is one of the primary causes of water pollution. When it rains, runoff transports pesticides and fertilizers. 

Agriculture can be environmentally friendly, known as green agriculture. Green agriculture involves using pesticides and fertilizers that contain no harmful chemicals. It also includes planting trees and creating wetlands to form buffer zones, which filter runoff and water pollutants.

When nitrate levels are high in water, it creates the perfect environment for eutrophication or overfertilization from runoff to occur. This allows algae and phytoplankton in the water to rapidly grow, reducing water quality, and contributing to the water pollution issue.  

Denitrification is directly converting nitrates into nitrogen gas.  This ecological process prevents nitrate leaching into soils and helps reduce groundwater contamination.

Although this is also a wastewater treatment, it goes through a different process to regular wastewater systems, which is why it is important to also note. 

Ozone wastewater treatment uses an ozone generator to break down water pollutants. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation or an electric discharge field inside the generator converts oxygen into ozone. This process oxidizes bacteria, organic matter, and other water pollutants. 

There are also solutions you can personally do to reduce water pollution:

• Report water polluters
• Check what waterway your drain or sump-pump connects to
• Never pour oil, fat, and grease down your drain
• Use phosphate-free laundry detergents and dish cleaner 
• Dispose of medical and chemical waste properly – never dump medicines in the toilet or rivers
• Consume more organic foods
• Cut down on how much meat you eat
• Support environmental charities 
• Avoid single-use plastics like plastic bottles and plastic grocery bags
• Keep on top of vehicle maintenance to prevent oil leakages
• Cut down on chemicals and use environmentally friendly or organic fertilizers and pesticides 
• Plant more trees and plants 
• Do a beach clean-up if you live by the coast or remove plastic from rivers near your home
• Finally, the issue of water pollution should always be in the back of your mind during daily activities

How Can We Test & Measure Water Pollution?

Testing and measuring water quality tells us if water bodies are polluted. Testing water quality is one of the most important ways to protect sensitive aquatic environments and support clean water for a diversity of plants and animals, including humans. 

There are many ways and to measure water quality that covers a wide variety of parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), ORP , and temperature. 

There are 7 ways we can test water quality and reduce water pollution:

CDOM/FDOM Monitoring

Chlorophyll fluorescence analysis, conductivity, salinity & tds monitoring , measuring water temperature, measuring do.

• Evaluating Turbidity & TSS 

CDOM (colored dissolved organic matter) is naturally found in water bodies. UV light is absorbed by the organic matter which decomposes releasing the organic pollutant tannin, turning water murky. Tannin is related to decreasing pH and depleting oxygen levels in the water.  When CDOM fluoresces, it is known as fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM). 

Electrical optical sensors are used to measure CDOM/FDOM. They measure light availability and dissolved organic matter (DOM) concentrations. 

When eutrophication occurs in water bodies, oxygen levels become depleted and nitrogen and phosphorus levels increase, creating a toxic environment for both plants and animals. Measuring algal growth and water quality contributes to reducing water pollution. 

Chlorophyll fluorescence is measured with algae toximeters which records both the wet-chemical and active chlorophyll percentages. 

Conductivity in the water tells us the water quality and also affects the salinity and TDS (total dissolved solids) of water. Analyzing water quality can be measured with conductivity, salinity, and TDS meters. 

Even though each meter measures different water parameters, the results are collaborated to indicate how much water pollution is present. 

Temperature is an important water quality parameter to measure as it affects other parameters in water systems. 

There is a wide variety of thermometers and temperature probes and sensors to record accurate readings. 

It is important to measure DO in wastewater treatments and water bodies as DO levels less than 6mg/L can be toxic to aquatic ecosystems. 

DO electrochemical sensors are most commonly used, however, an optical DO sensor, colorimetric method, or Winkler titration method can also be used. 

pH fluctuations can be extremely dangerous in aquatic systems; a safe aquatic environment has a pH between 6.0 and 8.0. Many factors can change pH in aquatic systems, quickly creating toxic environments. 

pH can be tested using colorimetric or electrochemical methods. 

Colorimetric methods include pH indicators and litmus test papers. These are easy to use and are cheap, however for accurate pH readings, investing in electrochemical methods such as a pH meter is highly recommended. You must calibrate a pH meter before using it. 

You can find more information on pH sensors and the different applications they are used for here . 

Evaluating Turbidity & Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 

Turbidity is how murky water becomes, and is an essential test for water quality. TSS (total suspended solids) and decaying matter from animals and plants change turbidity levels, often reducing how much light is penetrated through the water. 

Sudden increases in turbidity are an indication of water pollution, usually caused by an influx of heavy metals and other effluents. 

The simplest way to measure turbidity is either a turbidity tube or Secchi disk, but for more accurate measurements a turbidity meter is recommended. 

Summing Up Water Pollution

Water pollution is an issue we are currently facing which is why solutions must be made to conserve aquatic environments, protect human health, and other animals (& plants) that are dependent on water systems. 

Testing different water parameters will determine the water quality so that water pollution can be identified. 

If you would like to know more about what water testing kits we have to offer, feel free to reach out to one of our staff at Atlas Scientific , part of our world-class team. We look forward to answering any questions that you may have.  

Environmental Monitoring Kits

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What Causes High BOD In Wastewater?

The cause of high biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in wastewater comes from excessive organic matter in the water. The source of the organic matter typically comes from human and animal waste like sewage and industrial processes. Other causes of high BOD include agricultural runoff, untreated wastewater, and food processing industries. In addition to organic matter,

How Is BOD Measured?

Biochemical/biological oxygen demand (BOD) is measured using the following formula: BOD = (DO1 – DO2) * dilution factor/volume of the sample (if used). Dissolved oxygen (DO) is measured at the beginning (DO1) and then after a 5 day period (DO2) at 68°F (20°C). It is the difference between the two DO measurements that is used

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6 Ways to Reduce Factory Pollution

By Julia Davis | August 2, 2022

Industrial waste from factories is inevitable. And the ways factories manage that waste affect the surrounding environment, as well as human health. If not properly disposed of, industrial waste can contaminate soil, air, and water.

But there are points throughout a factory’s lifespan, and its entire production process, where changes can be made to reduce the pollution they produce and ensure proper precautions are in place to protect the environment around them.

1. Building Factories in the Right Place

The best way to reduce pollution in important ecosystems is to keep them from harm’s way in the first place. When new industrial sites are being built, it is important to factor in location and the potential impact the site would have on the surrounding environment. Characteristics such as climate and topography significantly affect how pollutants spread, and these factors also need to be considered. As we continue to build factories and industrial sites, making smart decisions about their locations can help reduce the impacts of the inevitable waste that comes from the factory.

2. Powering Factories with Renewable Energy

Energy consumption is one of the main contributors to factory air pollution. Therefore, factories that require less energy to operate produce less air pollution. A large-scale shift to using renewable energy sources to power factories would result in less pollution over time and could also save factories money in the long run. But the initial investment in greener energy sources is often a hurdle that prevents many factories from making the switch to renewables, even if it makes financial and environmental sense when looking at the bigger picture.

3. Analyzing Factory Waste

Pollution is tied to waste that is created during the production process. But before factories can effectively work on decreasing waste, they need an accurate picture of the waste at hand. By analyzing their waste output, factories can determine the amounts of different types of waste like food waste, chemical waste, glass, paper, and other elements. Once they have a clear picture of where they are making waste, it’s much easier to make processes more efficient by upgrading equipment, reorganizing inventory, and establishing recycling systems for reusing materials at various stages of production.

4. Proper Treatment of Factory Waste

The proper treatment of waste at the end of the production process is key to reducing factory pollution. Waste treatment is defined as the practice of changing the properties of industrial hazardous waste and making it less harmful. These changes can be physical, chemical, or biological. Physical treatments are processes that may change the shape or size of the waste. In contrast, chemical treatments use chemicals to alter the composition of the waste, and biological treatments use organisms to break down waste components into simpler organic matter and biomass. Treating waste in these ways before it leaves the facility allows factories to reduce the volume and toxicity of their waste before disposal.

5. Factories Must Run Environmental Impact Assessments

Companies should perform regular environmental impact assessments within their factories to identify potential harmful impacts their waste may have on the natural ecosystem. If harmful impacts are discovered in this assessment, it is the company’s responsibility to take the necessary actions required to address the problem, and correct any negative consequences that have developed.

6. Laws and Enforcement Can Help Prevent Factory Waste

In addition to implementing these regulations, it is equally important for governmental agencies to take firm action against industries that do not follow pollution protocols and offer significant rewards for companies that operate within guidelines.

Image credits: Factory ( The Ruwais Refinery by Rickmaj is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 ); Windmills and solar panels ( Renewable Energy on the Grid by Kenueone is licensed under CC0 1.0 ); Recycling facility ( African Waste Management Experts Visit Rwanda E-Waste Recycling Facility – Rwanda Green Fund Investment by Rwanda Green Fund is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0 ); Man treating waste ( African Waste Management Experts Visit Rwanda E-Waste Recycling Facility – Rwanda Green Fund Investment by Rwanda Green Fund is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0 ); Men in facility ( Acting Secretary Wolf Tours Marine Terminal Facility (8) by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security); Gavel and books ( Court Gavel – Judge’s Gavel – Courtroom by wp paarz is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 )

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Pollution Prevention Tips for Water Conservation

More efficient water use begins with individuals, in the home and place of work. Heating and pumping water requires chemicals and energy. When we waste less water, we conserve fuel and reduce the pollution generated by burning fuel and treating water with chemicals. Taking these and other steps and encouraging others to do so, makes good economic as well as environmental sense.

In the Bathroom

• Install a toilet dam or plastic bottle in your toilet tank.  
• Install a water-efficient showerhead (2.5 gallons or less per minute).  
• Take short showers and draw less water for baths.  
• When you buy a new toilet, purchase a low flow model (1.6 gallons or less per flush).  
• Check your toilet for "silent" leaks by placing a little food coloring in the tank and seeing if it leaks into the bowl.  
• Turn off water while brushing teeth and shaving.

In the Kitchen or Laundry

• Compost your food scraps rather than using a garbage disposal in your sink.  
• Keep a gallon of drinking water in the refrigerator rather than running the tap for cold water.  
• Run your washing machine with a full load of clothes. Wash with warm water instead of hot, rinse with cold water instead of warm. Wash with cold water when you can. (When possible) hang your wash out to dry.
• 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 shade the roots, making it more drought tolerant; keep your mower sharp for the healthiest grass.  
• Try to water only in the evening or very early morning to minimize evaporation.  
• If you use porous pavement (gravel is a good example) instead of asphalt for driveways and walkways, the rain can recharge groundwater supplies instead of running off and contributing to erosion.  
• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean off your driveway or sidewalk.  
• Wash your car less often or wash it at a car wash where they clean and recycle the water. If you do wash your car at home, use a bucket of soapy water rather than running the hose. Keep a spring-loaded nozzle on the hose.  

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16 Ways to Reduce Water Pollution

The global water crisis is only growing – but what can individuals do to reduce water pollution at home?

Green Coast is supported by its readers. We may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you if you buy through a link on this page . Learn more .

Water pollution is hurting our marine life, our environment, and populations around the world – and the pollutants that enter our waters aren’t just single use plastics ! Waterways and bodies of water are polluted when harmful substances like chemicals or toxic waste contaminate them.

When waters are polluted millions of people lose access to safe drinking water, leading to disease and even death: 80% of diseases around the world are related to poor-quality drinking water.

In addition, ecosystems aren’t able to support the complex ecosystems that depend on clean, unpolluted water. Knowing all of the disastrous effects of water pollution, many people are looking to make a change in their personal lives, and find ways to reduce water pollution.

In this article, we’ll explore several different ways to reduce water pollution in your home, work, and personal life, and why these changes matter.

16 ways to reduce water pollution and help look after our planet

While a large percentage of the world’s water pollution is caused by large-scale industrial, agricultural, and maritime transit operations, each individual still plays a role in reducing water pollution.

While some of these ways to reduce water pollution may not surprise you, some you may not know. In fact, some of these suggestions shine a light on how certain acts can actually lead to increased pollution levels!

Let’s take a closer look at the different ways to reduce water pollution.

1. Pick up litter and dispose of it properly

One of the best ways to reduce water pollution is to prevent it at the source: by disposing of waste properly. In fact, 60% of water pollution today can be attributed to litter.

Waste that litters our roads, fields, and sidewalks often flows into nearby drains and streams when it rains. When the litter degrades, chemicals and microparticles are released. 

Chemicals and other pollutants from this litter can negatively impact the environment and wildlife in waterways. Cigarette butts are a common example of litter that can seriously damage the natural environment. They can contain chemicals like arsenic and formaldehyde that will seep into soil, and in turn, freshwater sources.

2. Dispose of chemicals and fuel properly

It’s important to know that you should never pour used motor oil or antifreeze down a storm drain, onto the soil, into a waterway, or into the sanitary sewer. All of these drains flow into rivers, meaning this harmful substance will certainly make its way to wreak havoc on the natural life of your waterway.

So how can you dispose of it?

Put used oil or antifreeze in a sturdy container and take it to a local service station or other approved center.

Your community may have a recycling center that will accept the used motor oil and recycle it. Community collection centers and drop-off sites also exist in some areas.

It’s even a good idea to label the container, so others will know that allowing liquids other than storm water to get into the drain leads to the pollution of lakes and streams.

3. Mulch or compost grass or yard waste

In many places around the world, leaves and grass are important parts of the natural environment. Left on land, leaves decompose, feeding your plants and enriching your soil. 

However, these same leaves and yard waste can lead to problematic water pollution. When large amounts of leaves are washed off our lawns, down our driveways, and into storm drains, they make their way into our water bodies; the y release phosphorus and nitrogen into our water , contributing to water pollution.

There are a few potential solutions to this issue, however:

• Your city may be able to dispose of your leaves and yard waste – you can bag your leaves for curbside pick-up.
• You can also mix your leaves into your compost pile, creating a nutrient-rich fertilizer for your plants.
• Using a mulching mower, you can create mulch from your leaves to use in flower beds.
• Leave leaves and yard waste in your front yard if you can’t compost them – avoid blowing leaves into the street and clogging and damaging storm drains.

4. Don’t pour fat and grease down the drain

Most of the dishes we cook leave some sort of fat, oil, or grease residue behind. These substances should never be disposed of down the drain in your kitchen.

When poured down the drain, fat and grease can build up over time and clog your pipes. This will lead to sewer pipes clogging and even backing up into your yard and basement. It can also lead to water pollution by carrying contaminants to local bodies of water.

Instead, grease, fat, and used cooking oil should be disposed of in the trash or kept in a glass jar for disposal with other solid waste.

5. Minimize your use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers

In the continental U.S., about half a million tons of pesticides, 12 million tons of nitrogen, and 4 million tons of phosphorus fertilizer are applied annually to crops. These chemicals can cause critical damage to our waters through the soil, runoff, and air.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends several techniques for large-scale farm operations to mitigate these effects, such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM) which encourages natural barriers and limits pesticide use.

At home, however, you can do your part by minimizing your use of fertilizers and pesticides on your lawn and gardens. You can also select plants that are native to the area and can thrive in your landscape’s natural conditions. In turn, you will have to fertilize them less and use less water in the long run.

If you must use fertilizers, make sure to blow or sweep it back onto your grass if it gets onto paved areas, and avoid applying fertilizer on the grass right before it rains, so it doesn’t wash into storm drains and waterways.

6. Use the minimum amount of laundry detergent

Laundry detergent and other cleaning products contain chemicals like phosphates that are harmful to our waters and marine life.

Phosphates lead to algae blooms and kill fish and other aquatic animals by reducing the oxygen in the water. Soaps and detergents can also break up oil and send it lower into the water column, causing damage to more marine organisms.

When spilled in our waterways, soaps and detergents in and of themselves are actually a pollutant that may be harmful.

By cutting down on detergent, or using phosphate-free detergent, you can further cut down on water pollution from your own home. There are plenty of effective natural laundry detergents that you can substitute for chemically-intensive detergents in your home.

7. Dispose of medical waste properly

Never flush pills, powders, or liquid medicines down the toilet or dump them outside, whether on land or water. These drugs can accumulate in the water and be consumed by fish and other wildlife.

Hormones and other compounds end up causing a variety of health problems in fish and birds and contaminate drinking water that people and livestock use.

Studies have found that medicines flushed down the drain can contaminate our lakes and streams and eventually end up in our drinking water. This can lead to adverse reactions for some people and even cases of accidental poisoning.  

University of Minnesota researchers have also detected antibiotics used for human and animal treatment at low levels in lakes, rivers, and streams throughout Minnesota. The U.S. Geological Survey has also found antibiotics in groundwater in both non-agricultural and urban areas.

8. Avoid using a garbage disposal

Depending on where you live, the garbage disposal in your kitchen can also lead to harmful environmental effects like water pollution.

Near large bodies of water, garbage disposals will wash food scraps down the drain and into bodies of water that can be contaminated by the high levels of nitrogen in food waste. Nitrogen can harm local marine and plant life significantly.

It’s best to keep your solid waste solid , experts say, and opt for a compost pile from food scraps when possible.

9. Check your sump pump or cellar drain

If your home has a sump pump or cellar drain, you can check to make sure that it does not drain into the local sanitary sewer system. This connection often dumps harmful biological waste, cleaning chemicals, heavy metals, and more into the system.

As we know, local sewer systems drain straight into rivers, streams, and other bodies of water.

At home, you can do your part when it comes to going green and preventing water pollution by checking your sump pump or cellar drain connection. If you’re not sure, you can contact your city’s local pollution control department.

10. Eat more organic food

Organic foods are not only better for you, but opting for organic is also a big way to reduce water pollution.

Organic foods tend to be cultivated with few synthetic chemicals, and in turn, they result in less chemical pollution in waterways.

The process of organic farming also can be used to reduce water pollution in the U.S., as studies have found. The leaching of nitrate from farming soil into water drainage systems is a major source of water pollution in the upper Midwestern state of the U.S.

In an attempt to reduce the environmental impacts associated with heavy fertilizer use in conventional agriculture, some producers have begun to investigate organic methods.

All in all, agriculture is one of the largest culprits of water pollution around the world. From fertilizer and pesticide use, to the synthetic chemicals used to preserve foods and the fuel used to power equipment, all of these factors play a part in increasing water pollution.

By opting for less chemically-intensive foods, individuals can make a difference in the quality of our waters.

11. Try to avoid buying plastic items

Plastics, like most waste, can end up in a landfill. When improperly managed, waste from landfills make its way into our ocean and bodies of water. From plastic shopping bags to bottles to tupperware, all of these products can cause water pollution at a large scale.

Plastics break down slowly in some waters, but usually, end up degrading the water quality with toxic compounds and harming human and animal health.

Microplastics have been detected in water worldwide, including in our streams, rivers, lakes and oceans. In these waterways, the microplastics end up in the water we drink and the fish we eat, including shellfish.

Thus, one of the best ways to reduce water pollution is to avoid buying and using new plastic items, especially those that are not accepted at your local recycling facility. There are some great alternatives on the market to replace commonly-used plastic products like plastic wrap , sippy cups , and trash bags . 

12. Plant some trees

It may surprise you to find out that deforestation is one of the main causes of water pollution. Healthy forests can act as a filter to keep pollution out of water, anchoring soil against erosion and helping the forest absorb nutrients.

Trees also help protect water quality by capturing, storing, and using rainfall. In doing so, they reduce the amount of runoff that carries pollution off of the landscape and into nearby rivers and lakes. This process also decreases the rate and volume of stormwater flowing through local storm sewers.

In this way, one of the best ways to reduce water pollution is to plant some trees! If you live in an urban area, a healthy tree canopy is especially important. Trees provide other health benefits like helping heat and cool buildings, filtering air pollution, and more.

Select some species that are native to your area, and in no time your trees will begin improving air quality and doing their part in reducing water pollution. If you lack the space, try to find a local communal garden or space to plant some trees elsewhere in your community.

13. Keep your vehicles from leaking

It’s important to maintain your vehicle’s maintenance, not only to save money, but also to prevent oil and other fuels from leaking onto the road. Leaky seals, hoses, and gaskets often leak fluid from cars and end up in the local water table, or runoff into nearby streams, rivers, and other bodies of water.

Oil and other fuels do not dissolve in water, and are toxic to people, wildlife, and plants and can disturb natural aquatic environments.

These toxic substances can last a long time and stick to everything in and near an aquatic environment, from sand to bird feathers. To prevent leaks from our cars getting onto roads and washed into storm drains, regular vehicle maintenance is important.

14. Shop with water pollution in mind

Like your food choices, your shopping tendencies can make a difference when it comes to finding ways to reduce water pollution. The textile industry is one of the largest culprits for releasing pollutants into our waters.

This is because textile processing involves applying vast amounts of chemicals to fabrics – over 8,000 synthetic chemicals, in fact. It’s estimated that around 20% of all water pollution worldwide comes from the dyeing of textiles.

But how does making clothes lead to water pollution? Water is used during the process of applying chemicals and dye to fabrics and this contaminated water is often dumped back into rivers and other waterways.

To reduce the water pollution that results from textile production, try to only buy brand new clothes when you need them, and opt for second-hand clothing wherever you can. This reduces the amount of new clothing that must be produced and thus the water required to create them.

You can also recycle your clothes for a more sustainable wardrobe, or shop locally to limit the pollution that comes from transporting goods long distances.

15. Support environmental charities

To directly make a difference in reducing water pollution, there are several nonprofits that are making clean, unpolluted waters available throughout the world. Supporting these organizations, whether by monetary donations or volunteering can help them maximize their influence.

Some examples of these non-profits include Water.org , U.S. Water Alliance , Water for People , and the Water Project .  

16. Cut down on meat consumption

You may not have known that changing up your diet, even once a week, can make a huge difference when it comes to reducing water pollution.

Raising and housing animals requires large amounts of water – in the U.S. especially, slaughterhouses raise millions of animals per year for consumption – more than 8 billion chickens, 100 million hogs, and 30 million beef cattle.

All of the resources that these animals require are often contaminated and disposed of improperly. Most meat and poultry plants in the U.S. release contaminants into drinking water systems and soil, which in turn contaminates groundwater. These contaminants can include nitrate, nitrite, and fecal coliform, as well as byproducts like chlorine.

These chemicals can not only harm drinking water, they’re also toxic to plants and animals in local ecosystems.

Final thoughts on the ways to reduce water pollution

If you’re looking to live a greener life and care about bettering your area, these are sure ways to reduce water pollution, improve drinking water, and create cleaner aquatic ecosystems in your area.

From making easy switches from plastic, cleaning products, and laundry detergent in your home, to properly disposing of chemicals and cooking oil, it’s often not hard to play your part in reducing pollutants in our waters.

If you observe a possible violation of environmental laws and regulations in the U.S. like illegal dumping of pollutants, you can also report it to the EPA via this form .

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How Industrial Agriculture Affects Our Water

Water pollution from industrial agriculture, including CAFOs, causes public health problems and huge environmental impacts.

Published: 10/18/18, Last updated: 2/28/24

Industrial agriculture is one of the leading causes of water pollution in the United States. 1 According to the 2017 National Water Quality Inventory of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 46 percent of the nation’s rivers and streams are in “poor biological condition,” and 21 percent of lakes are “hypereutrophic” (meaning that high levels of nutrients and algae are degrading water quality). 2 Water pollution from industrial agriculture can have many negative effects on both people and the environment.

High levels of “nutrients,” such as phosphorus and nitrogen (both components of synthetic fertilizer as well as byproducts of animal waste) threaten the health and biological diversity of waterways, which can result in loss of aquatic life and their habitats, shellfish contamination and seasonal dead zones. 3 Polluted water also impacts the quality of life and incomes of nearby residents, posing a threat to public health. Beaches may close due to algal blooms, and fishing activities may be severely limited. Excessive nutrient runoff in waterways can impact drinking water supplies and, in some cases, cause severe health problems. 4

What Are the Sources of Water Pollution from Agriculture?

Industrial animal agriculture.

Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), also known as factory farms, typically house thousands of animals, generating millions if not billions of gallons of animal waste per year. For example, North Carolina alone generates almost 10 billion gallons of animal waste per year. 5 Livestock and poultry on CAFOs across the U.S. generate 1.4 billion tons of waste annually. 6 Animal waste is stored either in pits or in open ponds, called lagoons. Such waste-containment areas often leak and, during large storms, can rupture. 7 To dispose of the waste, CAFOs spray this manure onto farm fields. The environmental damage from spraying and from leaking, ruptured lagoons can be devastating. Surface and groundwater contamination (serious threats to aquatic ecosystems) and excessive nitrates in drinking water (serious threats to public health) stem from CAFO pollution. 8 9 Animal waste can also include pharmaceutical residues, heavy metals (like copper and zinc) and harmful bacteria, which can leach into water supplies. 10 11 12

Chicken manure is especially high in both phosphorus and nitrogen. Many chicken farmers spread huge quantities of chicken waste onto cropland to dispose of it; far more is spread than can be absorbed, and often more than is legally allowed. 13 When it rains, the excess nutrients and drug residues run off fields into streams and rivers, seeping into groundwater. Chicken waste is also high in ammonia: when dissolved in water, ammonia is not only highly toxic to fish, but can also be chemically converted into dangerous nitrates through bacterial action. 14

Industrial Crop Production

Nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, are two of the main macronutrients in fertilizer that promote plant growth. Synthetic fertilizers containing both nitrogen and phosphorus are applied imprecisely to farm fields, often at rates far higher than what the plants need or what the soil can absorb. The excess nutrients from fertilizer leech into surface and groundwater, causing algal blooms and nitrate contamination, impacting drinking water, recreational activities (such as swimming and boating), fishing/shell fishing and marine and aquatic ecology.

What Are the Negative Effects of Water Pollution from Agriculture?

Algal blooms, dead zones and acidification.

High quantities of nutrients in water from industrial crop fertilizers and animal waste cause excessive aquatic plant growth — a process known as “eutrophication,” which, in turn, causes “hypoxia,” or water that is low in oxygen. 15 Harmful algal blooms (or HABs) occur when aquatic algae grow rapidly out of control. 16 Some types of HABs produce biotoxins, which can kill fish and other aquatic life and cause human illnesses, while others use up the oxygen in the water producing “dead zones,” where aquatic creatures cannot live. 17

Nitrogen fertilizer applied in the farm fields of the Midwest eventually makes its way to the Gulf of Mexico; this, along with runoff from animal waste, is one of the leading causes of the so-called Gulf “Dead Zone,” an oxygen-deprived area that spans more than 8,000 square miles in some years, in which no fish can survive. 18 In places like the Eastern Shore of Maryland, home to thousands of chicken broiler houses, rivers have phosphorus concentrations that are among the highest in the nation, which is linked to the estimated 290,000 tons of excess chicken waste spread in the state. 19 The Chesapeake Bay, which receives runoff from the many chicken houses on the Delmarva Peninsula (parts of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia), experiences regular toxic algae blooms and dead zones. 20

Ammonia from agricultural runoff can also degrade ecosystems by acidifying waterways, which can affect the ecology of streams and rivers. 21

Heavy Metal Contamination

In CAFOs, excessive amounts of heavy metals like copper and zinc are fed as supplements to pigs and chickens, to promote growth and prevent disease. 22 Other metals present in animal waste can include cadmium, lead, mercury and arsenic. 23 These metals accumulate in soil when animal waste is sprayed on farm fields and can contaminate water supplies. 24 25 26 In humans, copper toxicity can cause gastrointestinal and liver disorders, as well as other health problems. 27 Copper can also damage the environment, negatively affecting soil microbial activity and plant growth, which can be toxic to fish and aquatic life in waterways. 28 Zinc pollution can also cause fish kills and damage to algae, crustaceans and salmon. 29

Nitrates and Other Contaminants in Drinking Water

Elevated nitrate levels in drinking water can be dangerous to humans, causing low oxygen levels in infants (known as “blue-baby syndrome”) and low birth weight. 30 Elevated levels of nitrates in drinking water may also be an indicator of other agricultural-related contaminants in the water supply, such as pesticides. 31

While the EPA itself says that nitrate levels above three milligrams per liter of water indicate “contamination” and levels above one milligram per liter indicate contamination due to human activity, the EPA sets nitrate contamination standards at 10 milligrams per liter to prevent blue baby syndrome. 32 In a survey of state nitrate groundwater pollution (indicated as greater than five mg/L), 53 percent of Delaware’s groundwater was polluted with greater than five mg/L of nitrates, as well as 28 percent of Maryland’s and 10 percent of California’s. 33 Each of these states have a large number of factory farm concentrations.

Chemical pollution of drinking water from agriculture is also a problem. As many as one million Californians, for example, mostly living in the farming communities of the Central Valley, have dangerous levels of unregulated chemicals linked to cancer in their drinking water, according to California’s State Water Board. 34

Pathogen Contamination and Disease Outbreaks

Animal waste contains a high level of pathogens (disease-causing microorganisms). Swine waste, for example, can contain more than 100 pathogens that cause human diseases. 35 When factory farm lagoons leak, contaminated water can end up in waterways and in groundwater. Pathogens can survive after being sprayed onto farm fields, leaching into groundwater, or being transported to surface water due to runoff. 36 37 People can become sick simply by ingesting water during recreational activities (e.g., swimming or boating) or by consuming contaminated drinking water. 38

Federal Regulations About Water Pollution and Agriculture

The original Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule addressing CAFO waste under the Clean Water Act was finalized in 2003. This rule regulated all factory farms as point source polluters, or identifiable sources of pollution. 39 All CAFOs were required to apply for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, under the presumption that CAFOs have a potential to discharge pollutants into waterways. 40 The NPDES permit limits what can be discharged, sets an acceptable level for pollutants (e.g., sets the permitted level for bacteria) and specifies monitoring and reporting requirements. 41

The original rule has since been updated several times because of lawsuits, most recently from the National Pork Producers Council. The rule now states that only large operations that discharge manure directly into waterways are required to obtain a federal NPDES permit. Facilities that plan to manage waste in lagoons and dispose of it by spreading or spraying it on cropland need no permit. This is despite the reality of leaks, spills and runoff from such facilities. Pollutant-filled water that runs off during rain or due to over application falls into the category of agricultural storm water, which is regulated as a nonpoint source and does not require a permit. 42 In 2023, however, the EPA agreed to revisit its regulatory policies towards CAFOs after facing pressure from advocacy groups. This, along with a federal court ruling that would reinstate the need for CAFOs to get NPDES permits if they want to access federal loans, could be the beginning of more proactive federal policy on CAFO water pollution. 43

CAFOs, Water Pollution and Environmental Justice

In recent years, lax regulations and government inaction about water pollution from CAFOs has meant that locals are increasingly using lawsuits to act to protect local waterways and drinking water. However, local and state lawmakers, often working with the “Big Meat” companies, have countered this movement by passing laws that make it easier for CAFOs and processors to operate in local communities, even when there is community opposition. 44 45 Further, in many cases, as in North Carolina, CAFOs operate in poorer areas that are disproportionately inhabited by minorities. 46 This has, in part, given rise to a robust environmental justice movement in these areas to drive the fight against CAFO pollution. 47

Well Water, Pollution and Regulation

Although much of the water used in the U.S. is obtained from surface water sources, many families continue to draw well-water from the ground. According to the EPA, 23 million households rely on private wells for drinking water. While public drinking water systems are regulated by the EPA, private drinking water wells are unregulated and do not need to meet EPA clean water standards. 48 Unlike public water systems, private wells aren’t required to undergo routine testing, either. Thus, families that rely upon private drinking water wells are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of water pollution from factory farms and other forms of industrial agriculture and must test their own drinking water to avoid health problems. 49

Water Usage in Agriculture

Agriculture accounts for 80 percent (in Western states, up to 90 percent) of all freshwater use in the U.S. 50 Most irrigated farms in the Great Plains and the Midwest use center-pivot irrigation: long overhead sprinklers that rotate around a central axis. Center-pivot irrigation and similar methods encourage use of large quantities of water, draining underground aquifers. The Ogallala Aquifer, which stretches from Wyoming and South Dakota to the Texas panhandle and supports nearly one-fifth of U.S. wheat, corn and beef cattle, has already run dry in some places and is reduced by as much as 60 percent in others. 51 52

In the West and Southwest, agriculture is the single biggest user of limited ground and surface water resources. Since 2000, the region has faced its most severe drought in over 1200 years, forcing a reconsideration of how water is distributed. 53 With 55 percent of the Colorado river (the region’s largest water source) going directly to forage crops for cattle, scientists warn farm policy needs to change to incentivize farmers to grow less thirsty crops. 54 Meanwhile, the expansion of fruit and nut orchards have removed so much groundwater from aquifers in California and other states that supplies are either unavailable to residents or contaminated with arsenic and other metals. 55

By 2060, the USDA predicts that water availability for agriculture in all areas of the U.S. will be significantly reduced, primarily because of climate change, but also due to current water use patterns. 56 The study predicts long-term yield declines for seven out of ten major grain crops, as a result.

What You Can Do

• Help the fight against water pollution from CAFOs by following and supporting national organizations like Food and Water Watch and Public Justice , which fight against policies that support CAFOs and facilitate water pollution from them. Support local organizations, like the North Carolina Environmental Justice Network , which are conducting grassroots organizing around CAFO and other types of water pollution. Look for similar organizations in your area and support their fight. One example is Waterkeeper Alliance , which works to protect local and national waterways to ensure clean water for all.
• You can also follow these organizations to learn more about the local and state-level policy changes that large agricultural companies push for to increase their profits, but that end up contributing to water and other types of pollution and environmental damage.
• As a consumer (and whenever possible), you can avoid meat from industrial animal facilities (aka, CAFOs or factory farms) and purchase meats, dairy and grain that are local and organic. Check out our Food Label Guide for more information.

Previous page photo by T. Archer. 

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• Ways to Reduce Industrial Water Pollution

Water pollution of any kind is a concern regarding human safety and environmental protection. There are various types of water pollution, but one of the major concerns in this area is industrial water pollution due to the potential scale of the pollution and the weight of the consequences.

Industries across the board are vital for economic development. Industry creates job opportunities, improves infrastructure and can lead to innovation — all of which can improve our way of living. As industries continue to grow, it is crucial to monitor their environmental impact and find ways to reduce industrial water pollution.

Causes of Water Pollution by Industries

Any body of water, from streams and rivers to reservoirs, lakes and oceans, can become polluted. Water can become contaminated in various ways. Agricultural runoff, sewage and wastewater, dumping, oil spills and even radioactive waste can all contribute to water sources becoming polluted. Unfortunately, industrial waste is one of the biggest causes of water contamination due to the sheer scale of industries to meet consumer demand.

Different types of industrial waste include:

• Solid waste , like plastic
• Toxic or hazardous waste , like the waste produced by hospitals
• Chemical waste , like used solvents

If not managed properly, these different forms of industrial waste can all end up in water systems and negatively impact people, animals and the environment.

Effects of Industrial Water Pollution

Water pollution has far-reaching consequences. Humans depend on clean water for so many important reasons — drinking, agriculture, energy production, tourism and recreation. Of course, marine life and the animals that feed on marine life also depend on uncontaminated water sources for survival. When water becomes polluted with industrial waste, it becomes unusable for human consumption, can lead to poor sanitation and illness and drastically reduce marine life populations.

The effects of industrially polluted water on human health include the possibility of:

• Hepatitis A
• And an increase in death rates

Industrial water pollution also affects the environment and wildlife in several ways:

• Deplete oxygen: Certain pollutants from industrial waste, including nitrogen and phosphorous, can lead to water becoming oxygen-depleted. These pollutants promote excessive algae growth — called algae blooms — which further deplete oxygen levels as they die and decompose. Algae blooms eventually lead to dead spots where marine life suffocates and cannot survive.
• Harm fish: Industrial pollutants can directly harm fish if they ingest pollutants from oil spills, heavy metals, pesticides and other chemicals. Fish can end up with deformities, issues reproducing and other health problems that can lead to death.
• Damage ecosystems: Entire ecosystems may die off if industrial pollution is not kept in check. If fish and marine plants cannot thrive, it causes a knock-on effect, negatively impacting the wildlife that depends on these resources.

Laws and Regulations Regarding Industrial Water Pollution

Thankfully, governments and organizations take water pollution seriously, and laws are in place to protect resources. One of these laws is The Clean Water Act (CWA), which makes it unlawful to release pollutants into navigable waters without a permit. However, there is a great need for these laws to expand and become tighter so all bodies of water are protected from pollution. Laws can also expand to include the type of chemicals industries can use or produce as byproducts and to make environmental audits mandatory.

How to Reduce Industrial Water Pollution

Keeping our water clean is of utmost importance, but our civilization depends on industrial processes — they cannot just come to a halt. Because of this, it is vital we find ways to make all industries more eco-friendly and sustainable. Industries can aim to prevent and reduce water pollution in several ways. The first step could be brainstorming pollution prevention strategies and finding the most effective ways to implement these ideas. Pollution prevention and reduction will vary from industry to industry but can include some of the following elements:

• Wastewater treatment systems: An effective water treatment system is essential for addressing industrial wastewater pollution. Treating wastewater helps remove pollutants before releasing the water into the environment. Businesses can also look for ways to reuse wastewater once it has been treated rather than discharging it.
• Green chemistry: Businesses can explore ways of completing processes without using or producing harsh chemicals and other harmful byproducts. Using natural, biodegradable and recyclable products can lessen an industry’s environmental impact.
• Eco-audits: A cornerstone of pollution prevention strategies is conducting systematic environmental audits that help companies identify sources of pollution and the impact on water sources. In doing so, businesses can tailor solutions and stay compliant with local and federal regulations.
• Collaboration: Engaging stakeholders and collaborating with NGOs, suppliers, clients and even staff highlights the importance of reducing the company’s environmental footprint. Working together is an effective way of getting on the same page regarding ways to reduce waste and stay compliant.

Industrial Water Pollution Control Through Dredging

Dredging is a process that uses specialized equipment to remove unwanted sediments and debris from large bodies of water. When done professionally, dredging can be an excellent method for cleaning water of sediments and general pollutants.

There is evidence of how dredging can have a positive effect on polluted bodies of water. In one example, dredging improved the water quality of Lake Trummen, a polluted lake in Sweden. The lake was so polluted due to industrial wastewater and domestic sewage that no aquatic life survived, and the water was unusable. Scientists from the Institute of Limnology of Lund University planned a restoration project, and from 1970 to 1971, suction dredgers were used to clean up the lake. The project was successful — plankton and a range of aquatic species once again started to thrive.

Contact GeoForm International for Submersible Pumps and Dredger

Are you exploring ways to lessen your industry’s impact on natural water systems? Dredging can form part of a comprehensive pollution reduction strategy. You can rely on our knowledgeable team at GeoForm International Inc. to understand your industry’s specific needs and to supply you with industry-leading dredging equipment. At GeoForm International, we take pride in developing and selling innovative, quality dredging equipment that effectively removes sediment and debris from water. We manufacture and sell dredges, dredge systems and submersible pumps.

With a 6-inch submersible pump, a 66-inch-wide cutter head and a four-cylinder diesel engine, our Dino6 Sediment Removal System is effective for clearing various waterways, as is our larger Dino8 System. Contact GeoForm International  to learn more about renting or buying our dredges and submersible pumps!

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6 Ways You Can Help Keep Our Water Clean

Quick and easy things you can do to reduce water pollution and runoff.

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Simply by going about your daily routines—using cleaning products, walking the dog—you might be unknowingly contributing to the pollution of our already struggling waterways. Luckily, there are a few incredibly easy ways to reduce your impact.

1. Take a hard look at your outdoor surfaces.

Stormwater flows across hard materials, like concrete or asphalt, and into storm drains—bringing all the dirty stuff it picked up along the way. Stop these pollution streams on your own property by using gravel, paver stones, wood, or other porous materials whenever possible. If a hard surface is unavoidable (say, in the case of a driveway), dig a shallow trench along the border and add plants or gravel to catch the runoff before it travels too far.

2. Remember, your toilet is not a trash can.

Never flush nondegradable products, like baby wipes or plastic tampon applicators. They can throw a huge wrench into the sewage treatment process and wind up littering beaches and water. (Who wants to walk along a beach and step in their own garbage?) And never dump old pills in the toilet, either. Instead, bring them to a local pharmacy that has a take-back program.

3. And neither is your sink.

Don't let paint, used oil, chemical cleaners, or other questionable household products go down the drain. These items contain toxic ingredients (think sodium hypochlorite, ammonia, formaldehyde) we don't want in our water supply. To find out about hazardous-waste collection days and facilities, search by product on Earth911 or contact your local sanitation, public works, or environmental health department.

4. Pick up after Fido.

You're not just being a good neighbor. Scooping up pet waste keeps that bacteria-laden crap (literally) from running into storm drains and water supplies. The most practical of the planet-friendly disposal methods is to tie it in a recycled-plastic pet-waste bag and throw it in the trash, but check your local ordinances.

5. Be a more careful car owner.

Good maintenance can reduce the leaking of oil, coolant, antifreeze, and other nasty liquids that are carried by rainwater down driveways or through parking lots and then seep into groundwater supplies. Go a step further by always choosing a car wash over hosing down your ride yourself. The pros are required to drain their wastewater into sewer systems, where the water is treated for all the bad stuff before being discharged. Many even recycle that water.

6. Dish the dirt(y water).

Without tattletales, polluters will just keep on keeping on. If you see suspect behavior in your community, get hooked up with a local environmental group that can help by contacting the Clean Water Network or Waterkeeper Alliance . When small organizations work with bigger ones (e.g., the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, NRDC) to force industries to follow the rules, real change can happen. (And it feels pretty darn good.)

This NRDC.org story is available for online republication by news media outlets or nonprofits under these conditions: The writer(s) must be credited with a byline; you must note prominently that the story was originally published by NRDC.org and link to the original; the story cannot be edited (beyond simple things such as grammar); you can’t resell the story in any form or grant republishing rights to other outlets; you can’t republish our material wholesale or automatically—you need to select stories individually; you can’t republish the photos or graphics on our site without specific permission; you should drop us a note to let us know when you’ve used one of our stories.

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Discharge from a Chinese fertilizer factory winds its way toward the Yellow River. Like many of the world's rivers, pollution remains an ongoing problem.

Water pollution is a rising global crisis. Here’s what you need to know.

The world's freshwater sources receive contaminants from a wide range of sectors, threatening human and wildlife health.

From big pieces of garbage to invisible chemicals, a wide range of pollutants ends up in our planet's lakes, rivers, streams, groundwater, and eventually the oceans. Water pollution—along with drought, inefficiency, and an exploding population—has contributed to a freshwater crisis , threatening the sources we rely on for drinking water and other critical needs.

Research has revealed that one pollutant in particular is more common in our tap water than anyone had previously thought: PFAS, short for poly and perfluoroalkyl substances. PFAS is used to make everyday items resistant to moisture, heat, and stains; some of these chemicals have such long half-lives that they are known as "the forever chemical."

Safeguarding water supplies is important because even though nearly 70 percent of the world is covered by water, only 2.5 percent of it is fresh. And just one percent of freshwater is easily accessible, with much of it trapped in remote glaciers and snowfields.

Water pollution causes

Water pollution can come from a variety of sources. Pollution can enter water directly, through both legal and illegal discharges from factories, for example, or imperfect water treatment plants. Spills and leaks from oil pipelines or hydraulic fracturing (fracking) operations can degrade water supplies. Wind, storms, and littering—especially of plastic waste —can also send debris into waterways.

Thanks largely to decades of regulation and legal action against big polluters, the main cause of U.S. water quality problems is now " nonpoint source pollution ," when pollutants are carried across or through the ground by rain or melted snow. Such runoff can contain fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides from farms and homes; oil and toxic chemicals from roads and industry; sediment; bacteria from livestock; pet waste; and other pollutants .

Finally, drinking water pollution can happen via the pipes themselves if the water is not properly treated, as happened in the case of lead contamination in Flint, Michigan , and other towns. Another drinking water contaminant, arsenic , can come from naturally occurring deposits but also from industrial waste.

Freshwater pollution effects

Water pollution can result in human health problems, poisoned wildlife, and long-term ecosystem damage. When agricultural and industrial runoff floods waterways with excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, these nutrients often fuel algae blooms that then create dead zones , or low-oxygen areas where fish and other aquatic life can no longer thrive.

Algae blooms can create health and economic effects for humans, causing rashes and other ailments, while eroding tourism revenue for popular lake destinations thanks to their unpleasant looks and odors. High levels of nitrates in water from nutrient pollution can also be particularly harmful to infants , interfering with their ability to deliver oxygen to tissues and potentially causing " blue baby syndrome ." The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that 38 percent of the European Union's water bodies are under pressure from agricultural pollution.

Globally, unsanitary water supplies also exact a health toll in the form of disease. At least 2 billion people drink water from sources contaminated by feces, according to the World Health Organization , and that water may transmit dangerous diseases such as cholera and typhoid.

Freshwater pollution solutions

In many countries, regulations have restricted industry and agricultural operations from pouring pollutants into lakes, streams, and rivers, while treatment plants make our drinking water safe to consume. Researchers are working on a variety of other ways to prevent and clean up pollution. National Geographic grantee Africa Flores , for example, has created an artificial intelligence algorithm to better predict when algae blooms will happen. A number of scientists are looking at ways to reduce and cleanup plastic pollution .

There have been setbacks, however. Regulation of pollutants is subject to changing political winds, as has been the case in the United States with the loosening of environmental protections that prevented landowners from polluting the country’s waterways.

Anyone can help protect watersheds by disposing of motor oil, paints, and other toxic products properly , keeping them off pavement and out of the drain. Be careful about what you flush or pour down the sink, as it may find its way into the water. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends using phosphate-free detergents and washing your car at a commercial car wash, which is required to properly dispose of wastewater. Green roofs and rain gardens can be another way for people in built environments to help restore some of the natural filtering that forests and plants usually provide.

For Hungry Minds

Related topics.

• WATER POLLUTION
• ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION
• FRESH WATER
• GROUNDWATER
• WATER QUALITY
• WATER RESOURCES

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WATER Latest WATER Information News

Effective ways to prevent water pollution.

Water is an essential resource for humans, animals, and plants. It’s vital to keep our water sources clean and healthy. Unfortunately, water pollution is a global problem that affects everyone. Water pollution occurs when harmful substances enter our lakes, rivers, oceans, and underground water sources. It can have disastrous consequences on aquatic life, the environment, and human health. But, there are ways we can prevent water pollution and protect our water resources for future generations.

Introduction

Welcome to our guide on how to prevent water pollution. Water pollution is a significant issue that affects everyone. It’s essential to understand the causes and effects of water pollution to take action and prevent it. In this article, we’ll provide you with practical tips and strategies to prevent water pollution. We’ll also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these methods and provide answers to some frequently asked questions. So, let’s get started!

What is Water Pollution?

Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies such as lakes, rivers, oceans, and groundwater. It occurs when harmful substances such as chemicals, oil, plastics, and microorganisms enter our water resources. Water pollution can have devastating effects on aquatic life, the environment, and human health. It can cause diseases, disrupt ecosystems, and harm animals that rely on water sources.

Causes of Water Pollution

There are several causes of water pollution, including:

Effects of Water Pollution

Water pollution can have numerous effects on aquatic life, the environment, and human health. Some of the most common effects include:

• Loss of aquatic habitats
• Threats to aquatic life
• Spread of water-borne diseases
• Reduced water quality
• Increased risk of cancer and other illnesses
• Reduced tourism and economic activities

How to Prevent Water Pollution

Preventing water pollution is crucial to protect our water resources. Here are some ways to prevent water pollution:

1. Proper waste disposal

Proper waste disposal is essential to prevent water pollution. You should dispose of your household waste properly, including chemicals and other hazardous substances. You can also recycle items such as plastic bottles, cans, and cardboard to reduce litter that can end up in water sources.

Advantages of Proper Waste Disposal

The advantages of proper waste disposal include:

• Reduced pollution
• Cleaner environment
• Reduced littering
• Recycling helps conserve natural resources

Disadvantages of Proper Waste Disposal

Some of the disadvantages of proper waste disposal are:

• May require additional cost
• Requires more effort than illegal dumping
• Not everyone has access to proper waste disposal facilities

2. Reduce water usage

Reducing your water usage can help conserve water and prevent water pollution. You can reduce your water usage by turning off the tap when brushing your teeth, taking shorter showers, and fixing any leaks in your home. Conserving water can also reduce the amount of wastewater that ends up in our waterways.

Advantages of Reducing Water Usage

The advantages of reducing water usage include:

• Conserves water resources
• Less wastewater pollution
• Saves money on water bills
• Reduces energy consumption

Disadvantages of Reducing Water Usage

Some of the disadvantages of reducing water usage are:

• May require changing habits
• May require investment in water-saving devices
• Not everyone has access to water-saving devices
• May affect some commercial activities such as car washing and farming

3. Proper use and storage of chemicals

The proper use and storage of chemicals can prevent water pollution. Household chemicals such as cleaning agents, pesticides, and fertilizers contain harmful substances that can contaminate water sources. You should use these chemicals safely and store them in secure containers to prevent them from leaking into the ground and water sources.

Advantages of Proper Chemical Use and Storage

The advantages of proper chemical use and storage include:

• Prevents water pollution
• Protects human health and safety
• Ensures chemicals are used effectively
• Reduces wastage and environmental impact

Disadvantages of Proper Chemical Use and Storage

Some of the disadvantages of proper chemical use and storage are:

• Requires extra effort to dispose of chemicals properly
• May increase the risk of accidents if not handled correctly
• Some chemicals are hard to dispose of properly

4. Control industrial waste

Industries can cause water pollution if they produce waste that contains harmful chemicals and substances. Industries should take measures to prevent water pollution by treating their waste and disposing of it properly. They can also use less harmful chemicals in their production processes.

Advantages of Controlling Industrial Waste

The advantages of controlling industrial waste include:

• Protects the environment and human health
• Improves the reputation of the industry
• Reduces pressure from regulators and governments

Disadvantages of Controlling Industrial Waste

Some of the disadvantages of controlling industrial waste are:

• May require additional investment
• May require changes in production processes
• May affect profitability
• May require additional permits and regulatory compliance

5. Clean up litter

Litter can end up in our water sources and harm aquatic life. You can prevent water pollution by participating in cleaning up litter on beaches, riverbanks, and other water sources. You can also reduce litter by avoiding single-use plastics such as straws, cups, and bags.

Advantages of Cleaning up Litter

The advantages of cleaning up litter include:

• Improves the environment
• Protects aquatic life
• Reduces litter pollution
• Encourages community engagement

Disadvantages of Cleaning up Litter

Some of the disadvantages of cleaning up litter are:

• May require community effort
• May require investment in cleaning tools and equipment
• May require cleaning up repeatedly
• May not be able to reach some areas due to accessibility

6. Support conservation efforts

Conservation efforts can help protect water resources and prevent water pollution. Supporting conservation efforts such as reforestation, wetland restoration, and watershed management can improve water quality and preserve aquatic habitats.

Advantages of Supporting Conservation Efforts

The advantages of supporting conservation efforts include:

• Improves water quality
• Preserves aquatic habitats
• Prevents soil erosion
• Prevents water shortage

Disadvantages of Supporting Conservation Efforts

Some of the disadvantages of supporting conservation efforts are:

• May require significant investment
• May take time to show results
• May require regulatory approval and permits
• May not be applicable in all locations

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. what are the main sources of water pollution.

The main sources of water pollution are industrial waste, agricultural waste, domestic waste, oil spills, and littering.

Q2. What are the effects of water pollution on human health?

Water pollution can cause diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis A. It can also increase the risk of cancer and other illnesses.

Q3. How can I reduce my water usage?

You can reduce your water usage by turning off taps when brushing your teeth, taking shorter showers, and fixing any leaks in your home.

Q4. How can I dispose of hazardous waste?

You should dispose of hazardous waste such as chemicals, batteries, and electronic waste at designated facilities that can handle them safely.

Q5. How can I participate in cleaning up litter?

You can participate in cleaning up litter by joining community clean-up events, organizing clean-up events, or picking up litter on your own.

Q6. How can I support conservation efforts?

You can support conservation efforts by donating to conservation organizations, joining conservation initiatives, or participating in conservation activities such as reforestation and wetland restoration.

Q7. How does water pollution affect the environment?

Water pollution can harm aquatic life, disrupt ecosystems, and reduce biodiversity. It can also affect the quality of soil and air surrounding water sources.

Q8. How can I reduce my use of chemicals?

You can reduce your use of chemicals by using natural alternatives such as vinegar and lemon juice for cleaning. You can also use organic fertilizers and pesticides in your garden.

Q9. What are the benefits of recycling?

Recycling helps conserve natural resources, reduces waste, and reduces pollution.

Q10. How can I prevent oil spills?

You can prevent oil spills by using spill prevention devices on ships and conducting regular maintenance of oil pipelines and transportation systems.

Q11. What is watershed management?

Watershed management is a comprehensive approach to managing water resources that considers the entire basin or region where water flows into and out of a particular body of water. It involves various strategies such as land use planning, soil conservation, and water treatment.

Q12. How does litter impact aquatic life?

Litter can harm aquatic life by entangling animals, blocking their digestive tracts, and reducing their oxygen supply.

Q13. How can I conserve water in my garden?

You can conserve water in your garden by using drought-resistant plants, mulching, and using rain barrels to collect rainwater.

Water pollution is a global issue that affects everyone. It’s essential to take action to prevent water pollution to protect our water resources and preserve aquatic life. We’ve provided you with practical tips and strategies to prevent water pollution, including proper waste disposal, reducing water usage, controlling industrial waste, cleaning up litter, and supporting conservation efforts. By following these tips and taking action, we can prevent water pollution and ensure clean water for future generations.

We hope this guide has been helpful in providing you with practical tips and strategies to prevent water pollution. It’s essential to take action to protect our water resources and preserve aquatic habitats. Remember that every action counts, no matter how small it may seem. Let’s work together to prevent water pollution and create a healthier planet.

Watch Video:Effective Ways to Prevent Water Pollution

How beverage companies can step up their actions to prevent water pollution

A Ceres report highlights what the beverage industry can do to better mitigate water quality impacts.

By Kirsten James

January 29, 2024

Source: Shutterstock/Roman Zaiets

This is the first of a four-part series taking a closer look at how 72 companies in four industries — beverage, apparel, food and high-tech — performed in Ceres’ new Valuing Water Finance Initiative Benchmark report , which assesses how companies are valuing and acting on water as a financial risk and driving the systemic changes needed to protect freshwater systems around the world.

The world is running out of water, a crisis that the beverage industry, which relies so heavily on water for nearly every stage of production, knows all too well. Yet while more beverage companies are making strides in responding to this threat by using less water, they need to make similar progress in managing water pollution — including from pesticides, herbicides and fungicides — that’s the result of making the beverages we enjoy every day. 

Water is a shared resource. So polluted discharges and runoff — most of which stem from the practices used to grow the crops used by the industry, including sugar, barley and tea — pose serious health risks to communities and ecosystems. This translates to a financial risk for companies. Contributing to water pollution threatens the supply of clean water companies need to produce their products and exposes them to the risk of losing their license to operate — or facing fines or penalties. 

A recent Ceres report , benchmarking water stewardship among 17 global beverage companies highlights how companies from across the industry can close the gaps on addressing water quality issues — although most have significant work ahead. Here are steps beverage companies can take to better mitigate their water quality impacts:

Establish water quality targets

Companies need to set targets to reduce the negative impacts of their direct operations on water quality. But only four companies we analyzed have done that. 

PepsiCo is among those making progress. The company has set a strategy that addresses water quality. For instance, as part of its goal of becoming net water positive in all of its operations, the company is working toward ensuring all wastewater produced by its manufacturing facilities adhere to high environmental protection standards outlined in the company’s Discharge of Process Wastewater Standard , which aligns with the World Bank’s International Finance Council and Business for Social Responsibility’s Sustainable Water Group criteria. 

Another promising example is Heineken, which has a water pollution reduction target for this year ensuring 100 percent of wastewater from its breweries is treated before being discharged into surface water. 

Companies should also disclose information about wastewater discharges from their operations, so they — and their investors — have a true understanding of their impacts and how they can address them. Our findings were encouraging, with 14 out of 17 companies reporting how much wastewater is released from all operations. Additionally, 12 of the companies provide information about the pollutants of concern that are in their wastewater discharges. These include pesticides, fertilizers, phthalates and bisphenol A — known more commonly as BPA — that can affect health or the environment. Some companies also provide details about potential water quality threats from pollutants, ranging from sediment loading, which is harmful to aquatic life, to the leaching or draining of chemicals into groundwater, to algae blooms from excess nitrogen.

Focus on supply chains

As important as it is for companies to set goals to reduce water quality impacts for their direct operations or disclose their impacts, another glaring gap that beverage companies must address is assessing water use within supply chains. Tackling water quality issues within supply chains is critical because a substantial portion of potential pollution occurs during agricultural production. Companies such as ABinBev are moving in the right direction. The company's Global Barley Research Center and research partners develop barley crop management protocols to inform farmers’ nutrient applications. Agronomists then provide farmers tailored nutrient management advice to help ensure their practices achieve good yields while minimizing the risk of nutrient pollution.

Assessing risks and challenges 

Investors with a stake in beverage companies are among those paying more attention to water quality repercussions from the industry. Addressing negative impacts to water quality across companies' value chains is among the six Corporate Expectations that investors established last year as part of Ceres' Valuing Water Finance Initiative, a global investor-led effort to engage large companies to act on water as a financial risk and make the large-scale changes needed to better protect freshwater supplies. 

Our new benchmark assesses the water management practices of 72 companies that are the focus of the initiative — the beverage companies among them — against the expectations, which set an ambition for companies to reach by 2030. This timeline is critical to slowing the pace of deteriorating water resources threatening communities, ecosystems and economies across the globe and meeting the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goal for Water (SDG6).

Growing demand for beverages and resulting water impacts, paired with escalating water scarcity and pollution across the globe, will continue to raise financial risks facing the beverage industry. Companies need to confront these challenges head-on, elevating sustainable water management — especially where current efforts are lacking — as a critical priority.

View the discussion thread.

More on this topic

• Water Efficiency & Conservation
• Pollution Prevention
• Water Management
• Food & Beverage
• Supply Chain

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Kirsten James

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4 key steps for finance to take to tackle the growing water crisis

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One way or another, new EPA rules will stop pollution from coal-fired emissions

The power sector’s biggest emitters have less than a decade to start capturing their carbon or shut down.

A quarter of the annual greenhouse gas emissions in the United States come from electricity generation. The biggest polluters in the sector are the country’s coal-fired power plants — decades-old facilities that emit enormous quantities of carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the air. Federal regulators and policymakers have spent years coming up with a plan for minimizing emissions from fossil fuel-run power stations. The Environmental Protection Agency finally unveiled the results of that work last week: a historic suite of rules that aim to prevent 1.4 billion metric tons of carbon pollution by 2047, the equivalent of annual emissions from 328 million gas cars.

The new rules were finalized under multiple laws, including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. In addition to cutting carbon emissions, they are expected to vastly reduce air, water, and soil pollution from fossil fuel-fired power plants by preventing toxic discharge into rivers and streams, better controlling coal ash pollution, and reducing toxic mercury emissions. 

Of the four new rules, one in particular sets a new precedent by being the first to require the implementation of carbon capture and storage , or CCS, in order for certain existing plants to continue operating. Some of the facilities that fall under the rules are the more than 200 coal-fired power plants across the country that collectively account for more than half of the energy sector’s carbon emissions. Per the regulations, the companies operating these facilities have three options: they can capture 90 percent of their emissions and keep running past 2039, capture a smaller share of emissions and close by 2039, or continue operating normally and retire by 2032.

Carbon capture and storage is a complex, multi-site process that involves trapping the gas at the point of emission and piping it underground to a well where it is injected for long-term storage. And so some climate advocates fear that the rule will only prolong the lives of power plants that run on fossil fuels. 

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Other critics of the EPA’s rules doubt the technology’s effectiveness, and point out that it has never been deployed on a commercial scale. Despite the hundreds of millions in tax incentives that the Biden Administration allocated to spur the development of CCS, there are currently no operations in the US that capture a substantial portion of a facility’s emissions. The fossil fuel giant Occidental Petroleum quietly abandoned its largest CCS facility in Pecos County, Texas, last October, selling it for a fraction of its construction cost. Elsewhere, Chevron’s massive operation on Barrow Island off the coast of Western Australia is successfully capturing carbon, but challenges in the underground storage system has led it to only store 1.6 million tons per year, under half its capacity.

Still, some other climate advocates say the rule fits well into their overall strategy: Capturing and storing carbon is such an expensive endeavor that some of the country’s oldest and biggest emitters, they hope, will choose to shut down rather than operate under the new rule. 

“This is a regulation that on its face appears to be mostly about CCS,” said Emily Grubert, a civil engineer and environmental sociologist at the University of Notre Dame. But Grubert believes that the rule can be harnessed for other ends: “The goal of the climate movement is for it to be about plant retirement.”

Grubert told Grist that it is unlikely many of the operators of these plants will elect to retrofit their facilities with CCS, since adopting the technology can cost companies over $1 billion. 

“I don’t want to see carbon capture put on the coal plants. The U.S. coal fleet is very old,” Grubert told Grist. “When you talk about putting multibillion-dollar investments on these plants, that almost certainly guarantees that they will stay open longer than they would have otherwise.”

Advocates who live in communities near CCS infrastructure along the Gulf Coast in Texas and Louisiana applauded some aspects of the new rule, but worried about the safety of the new technology. Capturing and storing carbon involves a complex network of industrial equipment, underground pipelines, and injection wells, each of which has their respective risks. When a pipeline carrying carbon dioxide ruptured in Mississippi in February 2020, dozens of people were rushed to the hospital after experiencing shortness of breath. A similar incident occurred with an Exxon Mobil-owned pipeline in southwest Louisiana last month. With the EPA’s recent decision to grant industry-friendly Louisiana the authority to approve new carbon dioxide wells, advocates worry that the majority-Black communities that live alongside much of the South’s fossil fuel infrastructure will have yet another pollution hazard in their midst. 

“We’re looking at a perfect storm,” said Beverly Wright, the executive director of the New Orleans-based Deep South Center for Environmental Justice. “You have this new shiny object that’s gonna solve all our problems by pumping the carbon into the ground. But whose ground?” 

Existing coal plants have until 2032 to implement CCS and reduce their carbon emissions by 90 percent or shut down. Some politicians have indicated their determination to fight these requirements and keep the country’s coal fleet running without emissions-reducing technology. When the rules were initially proposed last year, a group of Republican attorneys general led by Patrick Morrisey of West Virginia wrote EPA Administrator Michael Regan a letter saying the regulations would “kill jobs, raise energy prices, and hurt energy reliability.” Last week, Morrisey threatened to challenge the EPA’s finalized decision in court. Separately, Shelley Moore Capito, a Republican senator from West Virginia, said she planned to draft a resolution opposing the rules. But beyond the potential legal and congressional challenges, CCS technology will have to develop substantially over the next decade to be used on a commercial scale.

Nonetheless, Grubert told Grist that it’s important not to discount CCS entirely. While solar and wind farms can replace the country’s rundown coal plants, there are currently few alternatives to clean up major emitters like cement manufacturing plants. In her ideal scenario, the new EPA rules will encourage the coal plants to go offline within the next decade, while spurring investment in other sectors where capturing carbon might be necessary in the interim, to minimize climate warming emissions. 

“Begrudgingly, I think we do need to be able to” implement some CCS, Grubert said. “Having a regulatory framework and a regulatory environment that ensures that carbon storage is safe and well communicated to people is a good idea.”

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Villanova University rain garden shows 20-year success at soaking up stormwater runoff

The school's rain gardens have proven effective at helping prevent raw sewage from overflowing into waterways..

After more than 20 years of monitoring, researchers at Villanova say the university’s rain garden continued to be effective at soaking up stormwater and preventing pollution from entering waterways. (Courtesy of Villanova University)

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Rain gardens usually work in a drainage area of no more than 1.5 acres, Wadzuk said. However, a series of rain gardens can be built in larger areas, she said.

“When we say, ‘Are these effective at a large scale?’ Yes,” Wadzuk said. “But not necessarily just one giant rain garden, but rather have rain gardens distributed throughout a watershed, I think is a very effective way.”

She added that it’s crucial that rain gardens are placed strategically, maintained, and inspected over time. Wadzuk said she believes utilizing alternative stormwater management practices, such as rain gardens, can better prepare cities and other areas for various challenges.

“[They] can then offer that redundancy and the resilience in the system that I think is needed because of the uncertainty of how climate change is going to impact the area,” she said.

Rain gardens also increase biodiversity, attract pollinators and herbivores, and mitigate heat, Wadzuk said. She said communities should be educated on these benefits, motivating residents to become stewards of rain gardens.

“I really like the wider view of what green stormwater infrastructure can do,” Wadzuk said. “It’s not just stormwater management, but it has all of these other different benefits, to a city and to the people who live in the city.”

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Getting dirty to clean up the chemical industry's environmental impact

The global chemical industry is a major fossil fuel consumer and climate change contributor; however, new Curtin University research has identified how the sector could clean up its green credentials by getting dirty.

Most chemical reactions involving electricity and organic materials can't be done efficiently using water because the organic materials don't dissolve well, forcing industry to use fossil fuels to provide heat rather than electricity or use alternative substances to water, which add environmental and safety risks.

However, a team of researchers led by Associate Professor Simone Ciampi, from Curtin's School of Molecular and Life Sciences, has found chemical reactions in water can be dramatically sped up by adding a water-resistant material to an electrode -- a process known as "fouling."

"Fouling goes completely against conventional wisdom, which says you have to have clean instruments to make processes using an electrode as efficient as possible," Professor Ciampi said.

"But when we've added water-resistant materials such as plastic or oil, we've found reactions happen in these areas up to six times faster than in the "clean" areas of the electrode.

"We found even using a household glue improved reaction speed by 22 per cent."

Study co-lead and PhD candidate Harry Rodriguez said the key was the organic material being attracted to other water-resistant materials.

"If the material is hydrophobic -- which means it doesn't like water -- it will want to get out, so it will be drawn to a hydrophobic environment such as oil, plastic or glue on an electrode," he said.

Mr Rodriguez said the chemical industry was eager to use water where possible, despite the challenges.

"If organic chemicals were to be manufactured in water using current industrial methods, the yield is expected to be very poor," he said.

"But companies still want to use water if it's viable, because the chemicals they currently use for these reactions are expensive and flammable, so there are concerns and potential complications over safety and storage.

"As well as the environmental benefits, using water bypasses a lot of those issues."

Professor Ciampi said it would be some time before the method was replicable at a large scale, but the journey towards a cleaner chemical industry could be accelerated by collaborating with other areas of expertise.

"For example, the mining industry uses bubbles as a way to separate minerals all the time," he said.

"There's a wealth of knowledge out there which could be paired with electrochemistry to bring this method up to a bigger scale and then have a real impact."

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Story Source:

Materials provided by Curtin University . Original written by Samuel Jeremic. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference :

• Harry Morris Rodriguez, Mariusz Martyniuk, Killugudi Swaminathan Iyer, Simone Ciampi. Insulator-on-Conductor Fouling Amplifies Aqueous Electrolysis Rates . Journal of the American Chemical Society , 2024; 146 (15): 10299 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c11238

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Getting dirty to clean up the chemical industry's environmental impact

by Samuel Jeremic, Curtin University

The global chemical industry is a major fossil fuel consumer and climate change contributor; however, new Curtin University research has identified how the sector could clean up its green credentials by getting dirty.

The article , "Insulator-on-Conductor Fouling Amplifies Aqueous Electrolysis Rates," was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society .

Most chemical reactions involving electricity and organic materials can't be done efficiently using water because the organic materials don't dissolve well, forcing industry to use fossil fuels to provide heat rather than electricity or use alternative substances to water, which add environmental and safety risks.

However, a team of researchers led by Associate Professor Simone Ciampi, from Curtin's School of Molecular and Life Sciences, has found chemical reactions in water can be dramatically sped up by adding a water-resistant material to an electrode—a process known as "fouling."

"Fouling goes completely against conventional wisdom, which says you have to have clean instruments to make processes using an electrode as efficient as possible," Professor Ciampi said.

"But when we've added water-resistant materials such as plastic or oil, we've found reactions happen in these areas up to six times faster than in the 'clean' areas of the electrode.

"We found even using a household glue improved reaction speed by 22%."

Study co-lead and Ph.D. candidate Harry Rodriguez said the key was the organic material being attracted to other water-resistant materials.

"If the material is hydrophobic—which means it doesn't like water—it will want to get out, so it will be drawn to a hydrophobic environment such as oil, plastic or glue on an electrode," he said.

Rodriguez said the chemical industry was eager to use water where possible, despite the challenges.

"If organic chemicals were to be manufactured in water using current industrial methods, the yield is expected to be very poor," he said.

"But companies still want to use water if it's viable, because the chemicals they currently use for these reactions are expensive and flammable, so there are concerns and potential complications over safety and storage.

"As well as the environmental benefits, using water bypasses a lot of those issues."

Professor Ciampi said it would be some time before the method was replicable at a large scale, but the journey towards a cleaner chemical industry could be accelerated by collaborating with other areas of expertise.

"For example, the mining industry uses bubbles as a way to separate minerals all the time," he said.

"There's a wealth of knowledge out there which could be paired with electrochemistry to bring this method up to a bigger scale and then have a real impact."

Journal information: Journal of the American Chemical Society

Provided by Curtin University

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Environment | After repeated blasts of smoke last summer and…

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Environment

Environment | after repeated blasts of smoke last summer and one of the driest winters on record, chicago enters the 2024 wildfire season with trepidation.

In fact, governments in both the United States and Canada say they’re correct to feel this way.

“The conditions are ripe for another bad fire season,” said John Mooney, air quality director for the Environmental Protection Agency’s regional office in Chicago.

“The snowpack was down. The ice cover on the lakes was down. If the wind blows in the right direction, we’re going to get hit in the eastern half of the United States again,” Mooney said in an interview.

“We need to prepare for the worst,” he said, noting that significant wildfire risks exist in the northern forests of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.

Half a century after Congress passed the Clean Air Act , industrial, vehicular and power plant pollution remains a significant health threat in the Midwest, particularly in Black and brown communities.

In Chicago and other industrial towns, smoke from past wildfires and those that lie ahead will make the pre-existing pollution deadlier and harder to control.

The smoke will intensify EPA crackdowns on PM2.5, or small particle pollution, and nitrogen oxide, which helps form ground-level ozone.

These crackdowns, in turn, could slow economic growth.

While some experts don’t expect a repeat of the unprecedented eruption of wildfires in Canada last year, they’re still skittish about making predictions for 2024.

For one thing, they didn’t anticipate the extent of last year’s fires, either.

“Herein lies the problem with climate change,” said Zac Adelman, executive director of the Lake Michigan Air Directors Consortium, or LADCO .

“It’s blowing up our ability to forecast the weather.”

Adelman’s consortium coordinates air quality research and planning for Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and Ohio.

Public Safety Canada, which oversees that country’s homeland security, said that because of warm temperatures and a widespread winter drought, “we may be facing another catastrophic fire season .”

Canada exploded last year with 45.7 million acres burned, more than eight times the long-term annual average, according to Paul Pastelok , an AccuWeather meteorologist.

The fires blanketed the United States with smoke as far south as Virginia .

Pastelok predicts the Canadian total could drop to 12 million to 18 million acres this year.

Mooney said he puts little stock in forecasts that look much further than 48 hours into the future.

To add some spice to the mix, scientists will have to wait until Memorial Day to get an idea of how many of the 2023 fires that continue to burn beneath Canada’s boreal or northern forest will roar back to life on the surface.

And about a dozen of the Quebec fires that helped send smoke to the United States last year, including one that burned 2,000 acres, were  set by an arsonist.

Whatever the 2024 fire totals turn out to be, Chicagoans already have plenty of reason to be worried.

Wildfires have devastated parts of Australia , Chile and the Texas Panhandle in recent months, as the world set one record after another for hot air , superheated oceans and accumulated carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Across the United States, wildfire smoke has been rising for decades as a percentage of the PM2.5 pollution that’s never absent from industrial cities such as Chicago.

PM2.5 is a devilish form of pollution to control because it’s not one thing. Instead, it’s a gumbo of particles and liquid droplets with at least one thing in common — they’re so small they can penetrate the human lungs and circulatory system.

Some building blocks for PM2.5 are released directly into the air, such as dust from a construction site.

Others are formed when chemicals such as ammonia from farms, feedlots and chemical plants react in the atmosphere with soot and nitrogen oxides from gasoline and diesel engines and other forms of combustion.

According to EPA data , in 2023, wildfire smoke contributed 13.6% of U.S. emissions of the volatile organic compounds that help form PM2.5 and ground-level ozone, up from 3.5% in 2000.

The agency said that wildfire smoke contributed 13.5% of carbon monoxide emissions in the U.S. last year, up from 10.5% in 2000. Carbon monoxide can impede the body’s ability to transport oxygen to cells and tissues.

These increases offset some of the substantial gains the U.S. has made in controlling other pollution sources, such as power plants and cars and trucks.

They make it harder for state and local regulators to comply with the new PM2.5 standards even as the Biden administration drives the national tailpipe and coal-plant limits lower and lower.

PM2.5 exposure increases the risk of heart and respiratory disease and lung cancer, according to the World Health Organization .

It’s so deadly that the EPA is cutting its allowable annual average exposure to 9 micrograms per cubic centimeter of air, down from the current 12.

Within two years, the agency will order states that fail to comply with the lowered limit to begin preparing mandatory corrective action plans.

These could include stricter permitting requirements for new and existing factories and bans on new construction until an offsetting amount of pollution can be cut elsewhere in the region.

“What the county could say is ‘you’re more than welcome to double the size of your factory, but you have to incorporate pollution controls such that your emissions do not exceed what you’re permitted for now,’ ’’ said Christi Chester-Schroeder, a scientist with IQAir.

Based in Goldach, Switzerland, IQAir released a global PM2.5 study in March.

“The big outfits, your automotive factories and your power plants, they know what’s coming. They’ve got a whole army of consultants and environmental people working on this,” said Jim Haywood, a meteorologist for the state of Michigan.

“But ‘Acme Industries,’ the guy with a machine shop who wants to put in a new grinding booth, he has no idea what’s coming,” Haywood said.

‘Anomaly within an anomaly’

Even if wildfires don’t shroud Chicago with smoke again this year, they’re already making it harder for the city to comply with the EPA’s new PM2.5 limit.

Cook County, for example, reported a three-year PM2.5 average of 10.5 micrograms per cubic centimeter for 2020-2022. Will County reported 9.7.

To comply with the EPA’s new limit, they’ll need to bring these numbers below 9.

But because of the wildfires, Mooney said that the audited 2021-2023 numbers they’ll report in a few weeks will be higher for PM2.5, not lower.

He said the same is true for every county in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and Ohio, where a total of 53 million people live.

Forecasters are still scratching their heads about why all this happened. Adelman, in fact, describes 2023 as “an anomaly within an anomaly.”

The first anomaly was the number and size of the Canadian fires.

Some towered over the towns they were devouring and raced forward 30 miles a day, fueled by the hurricane-force winds they helped generate.

Some occurred within a few hundred miles of Midwest population centers. That meant never before had so much smoke hugged the ground as it inundated cities such as Chicago and made their pre-existing pollution more lethal.

The second anomaly was one of recent memory’s most persistent high-pressure systems.

This trapped the smoke near the surface. Along with an extended drought, it helped fuel hot, dry and windy conditions that forecasters describe simply as fire weather .

In Michigan, the fires forced regulators to declare an unprecedented series of action alerts — the first-ever alert for PM2.5 pollution, the first-ever simultaneous alert for both PM2.5 and ground-level ozone, and the first alert to cover the entire state — including Michigan’s sparsely populated Upper Peninsula.

Pablo Toral, an environmental studies professor at Beloit College, started using borrowed monitors to study air quality in his town in 2022.

He’s since used charitable donations to buy five monitors, with two more coming, that upload their data continuously to PurpleAir.com .

Toral installed one of the monitors at the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity house.

“The monitors look like little mushrooms,” he said. “They’re not very impressive.”

But as the 2023 totals rolled in, Toral suddenly discovered that IQAir, the Swiss company, had used his data to label Beloit’s PM2.5 pollution as the worst in the country.

An old factory town north of Rockford, Beloit ended 2023 with an annual PM2.5 average of 14.8, according to IQAir.

Chicago reported 13.0 for the year . But according to IQAir, this included an average of 28.4 in June.

The company said that New Delhi had the world’s worst PM2.5 pollution with an average of 92.7 in 2023.

IQAir makes air filters. To compile its report, the company used data from 30,000 monitoring stations in 134 countries.

IQAir and the EPA use different methods to calculate PM2.5 but measure the same basic trends, Chester-Schroeder said.

Toral said in an interview he believes PM2.5 pollution could be worse in towns surrounding Beloit. But nobody’s monitoring it, he said.

“The main sources of this pollution are pretty much the burning of fossil fuels,” Toral said. “You’re looking at tailpipe emissions, power plants and manufacturing.

“Some communities have one or two of these. Beloit has all three,” he said.

Toral said that wildfire smoke makes all this pollution worse and, in an industrial town such as Beloit, threatens everybody, not just those whom the EPA classifies as belonging to “vulnerable populations.”

These include the young, the old, women who are pregnant and people who work outdoors or who suffer from chronic disease.

With a population that’s about a third Black and brown, Beloit’s unemployment and poverty rates consistently rank among the highest in Wisconsin.

Yet some of the pollution these residents are breathing comes from the electricity the Beloit area exports to richer cities.

Alliant Energy has said it has or will use its natural gas-fired power plant north of town to send electricity to Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay, and even St. Louis, Toral said.

Some of Toral’s students come from overseas countries, including Liberia, Bangladesh, Pakistan and India.

He said they’re eager to take their knowledge of U.S. technical and regulatory standards with them when they return home.

“Air pollution is an issue in their countries,” Toral said. “It’s not like anybody is hiding it. But they’re finding it difficult to engage in active policy work to fix it.”

Around the world, Toral said, people can expect more forest fires that will be bigger and last longer.

They can expect more intense bursts of precipitation interrupted by longer periods of drought.

This pattern leads to more flash flooding rather than giving parched land and vegetation time to absorb the moisture. It increases fire risks, he said.

Despite all the complexity, scientists are certain of two things: air pollution is dangerous and controlling it is hard.

And Illinois has repeatedly shown it’s not very good at doing what’s necessary.

For example, the state took 14 years to comply with the EPA’s 2008 ozone limit.

Even today, the agency lists Chicago, East St. Louis and parts of surrounding states as failing to attain the 2015 ozone limit.

According to the Sierra Club, nearly three-quarters of Illinois residents live in these noncompliant areas .

In 2014, the EPA discovered that a lab run by Cook County had failed to properly measure pollutants captured in air quality monitors across Illinois.

At the time of the discovery, nearly half of the county’s monitors were poised to flunk the EPA’s 2012 limit for PM2.5 pollution.

However, since the EPA needs verified data to build a legally binding mandate, it had to simply stop enforcing its PM2.5 limit across Illinois for four years.

This exposed residents across the state to pollution that could have been cleaned up if Cook County had handled the measurements correctly.

It robbed the county’s regulators, businesses and residents of a chance to develop the shared language and understandings they’ll need to confront the new and even lower PM2.5 limits the EPA finalized in February.

Spokeswoman Natalia Derevyanny declined to comment on the county’s culpability or whether any employees were disciplined.

By the time the EPA could obtain verified data in 2018 , long-term changes such as the closure of coal-fired power plants had already helped the state comply with the EPA’s 2012 PM2.5 standard.

Meeting the 2024 standard of 9 micrograms per cubic centimeter will be difficult in part because each of the building blocks of PM2.5, including volatile organic chemicals, nitrogen oxide and ammonia, requires a different technical solution, Adelman said.

The mix among these precursors can vary over time and neighborhood by neighborhood, with the wildfires making everything more erratic.

Meanwhile, states eager to protect their ability to grow economically will retain their right to challenge the EPA’s findings on these shifting crosscurrents in court.

“We’re just starting to get our heads around how all this is going to work,” Adelman said.

Adaptation vs. action

Despite all the difficulties, the EPA’s John Mooney counts the new rules as a victory for human health. He points to the quadrupling of U.S. economic output since the passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970 to discount claims that the new rules are too onerous.

“Motor vehicles are getting cleaner and we’ve issued a whole bunch of regulations on coal-fired power plants and other industrial sources,” Mooney said. “In the Midwest, we’ve been able to meet every ambient air quality standard that has been set since the Clean Air Act was passed, and I’m optimistic we’ll be able to do it again.’’

Since most of the precursors for PM2.5 pollution stem from fossil fuel combustion, the EPA’s new rules will intensify familiar debates about electric car and truck mandates.

The state legislature is holding hearings on a bill requiring warehouses to report their ownership, truck trips and pollution to Springfield. Rep. Dagmara Avelar, D-Bolingbrook, is the chief sponsor.

In the short run, regulators and environmental groups are still arguing over how to measure the impact of wildfires.

Adelman, for example, is helping provide smoke measurements to as many as 20 states preparing to petition the EPA to exclude some of the smokiest days from their legally binding scorecards for 2023.

They could do so under a Clean Air Act provision allowing them to exclude wildfires and other events they didn’t cause and can’t stop through their own regulations. The act refers to these as “exceptional events.”

What Adelman is researching would amount to the biggest collection of “exceptional event” declarations in Clean Air Act history.

But it would be a controversial step.

In the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, for example, the Sierra Club is fighting the EPA’s approval last year of an “exceptional event” application for just two days at a single monitor on Detroit’s east side.

According to the Sierra Club, the agency failed to prove that wildfire smoke, and not local Detroit sources, had caused pollution to spike.

Without being able to exclude these two days from a single monitor, the state may have to impose a mandatory vehicle inspection program on 4.8 million residents in southeast Michigan.

Important as they are in the short run, these debates raise much deeper questions.

“Wildfires are becoming more frequent, intense, and widespread, and we’re seeing more and more transboundary migration of the smoke,’’ said IQAir’s Chester-Schroeder.

“So at what point are they no longer exceptional events, and do they need to be considered in the state implementation plans submitted to the EPA?”’ she asked.

Meanwhile, organizers at Michigan’s oldest grassroots environmental group worry about sparking “eco-anxiety” that could drive people back into isolation.

Some Grand Rapids residents, for example, thought last year’s smoke came from a local landfill or factory that caught fire and were surprised to learn it had traveled all the way from Canada, said Bill Wood, executive director of the West Michigan Environmental Action Council .

“For some folks, their first experience with the environmental movement is to find out, `Hey, the world is burning,’ ” Wood said.

“We try to make sure they know it’s normal to feel upset, angry, frustrated, hopeless, whatever,” he said. “We’re here to work with them on that. And if they want to start calling their state senator, we’re a vehicle for that too.”

Wood said he’s focusing mainly on helping people get rebates from local utilities for high-quality air filters.

He’s also teaching people how to make do-it-yourself filters out of ordinary window fans and layers of woven fabric.

“It’s frustrating because what we’re talking about is adaptation rather than actively cutting down on air pollution,” Wood said.

“But in the short term, I feel like the best we can do is try to protect people and to give them tools to be as safe and healthy as they can be.”

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USA TODAY 10Best

10 green practices for recreational boaters

May 13, 2024 // By Ivonne Gamboa

By Ivonne Gamboa May 13, 2024

Recreational boaters share a deep love of our oceans, lakes, and rivers. Alongside the joys of exploration, boaters are responsible for protecting and preserving these natural resources for future generations.

During the Palm Beach International Boat Show , voted among the best boat shows in the country, The International SeaKeepers Society , along with the Water Revolution Foundation and Ethical Yacht Wear , spoke to boating enthusiasts about how they can be good stewards of the marine ecosystems they enjoy.

Here, we share 10 best green boating practices for becoming environmentally conscious on the water.

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Support at-sea research

Imagine being part of groundbreaking scientific discoveries while enjoying your time on the water. By offering your boat as a floating platform for scientist-led expeditions with world-renowned scientists, you can help advance marine research.

SeaKeepers offers boaters and "yachties" the opportunity to participate in these invaluable experiences by matching you with a project designed to fit your type of boat, location, and interests. You can apply for this opportunity by filling out a DISCOVERY application .

Become a 'citizen scientist'

You don’t need a Ph.D. to contribute meaningfully to marine research. You can participate in marine research projects by collecting data independently while on the water. Your observations could help scientists better understand and protect marine ecosystems.

Organizations like SeaKeepers offer citizen science opportunities that allow you to collect valuable data, such as mapping the ocean floor or monitoring microplastic samplings. You can become a citizen scientist no matter where you live; data contributions are welcome from boaters worldwide.

Reduce single-use plastics and other plastic pollution

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature , plastics comprise about 80% of all marine debris. Green boating means taking proactive steps to reduce single-use and other plastics on your boat so they never reach the water.

Plenty of eco-friendly alternatives are available, from using products like the Cora Ball to capture microplastics in laundry to installing water makers to refill bottles and cups with fresh water. If a water maker isn't feasible on your boat, companies like Open Water offer water in infinitely recyclable aluminum bottles.

Educate the next generation of green boating

Inspire the next generation of environmental stewards by allowing students to join “floating classrooms” led by marine educators on your boat. By donating time on your vessel, you support marine education initiatives and help expand learning opportunities.

SeaKeepers welcomes boats of all sizes. With chapters in the United States, the United Kingdom, the South Pacific, and Asia, the organization partners with boat owners worldwide through its educational outreach program .

Choose marine-safe products when you're on the water

Choose marine-safe and sustainable products while on the water to reduce your impact on marine wildlife. Boaters can opt for non-toxic cleaning products, like Ecostore Boat Wash , and mineral sunscreen and skincare products, like Stream2Sea , which are less harmful to vital ecosystems.

Respect Marine Protected Areas

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) serve as vital sanctuaries for marine life, preserving precious ecosystems and biodiversity. To prevent unintentional intrusion, take time to understand the boundaries and regulations of local MPAs. By respecting these designated zones , you contribute to safeguarding critical habitats, ensuring marine life can flourish undisturbed.

Protect marine life

Beyond respecting MPAs, you should always obey any signs posted on the water to avoid harming local ecosystems or running aground and damaging your boat. Adhering to local, state, and federal regulations while fishing will also minimize your impact on local ecosystems.

Stay on top of boat maintenance to prevent marine pollution

Proper boat maintenance is essential to prevent marine pollution. Green boating tactics include regularly checking your fuel lines, seals, and joints for damage to avoid leaks that could harm marine life. Dispose of grey and blackwater waste responsibly. SeaKeepers’ A Green Guide to Boating provides valuable tips for maintaining your vessel and minimizing your environmental footprint while on the water.

Engage the community in cleanup efforts

Marine debris affects the health of wildlife, people, and local economies. Wildlife can mistake debris in the water or on the shore for food or get entangled in it with lethal consequences. You can mitigate these risks by seeking out organizations that host community shoreline cleanups .

While doing community cleanups, you can collect data supporting policy and scientific research by documenting findings on applications like the Marine Debris Tracker .

Become an advocate of green boating

Educate yourself about marine conservation issues in your area and become an advocate for marine environments. Get involved in conservation projects. By raising awareness and supporting conservation efforts, boaters can significantly impact the protection of our oceans, lakes, and rivers.

Boaters are uniquely influential in safeguarding our waterways for future generations. By embracing these 10 practices, you can mitigate your environmental impact and contribute to preserving and restoring marine ecosystems. Together, we have the power to make a difference, one responsible boating practice at a time.

About Ivonne Gamboa

Surrounded by South Florida's water, sun, and sand, Ivonne has always been passionate about marine science and exploration of the ocean's ecosystems. She graduated from Florida International University with a bachelor's degree in public relations and a master's degree in marketing. She serves as the director of marketing and PR for The International SeaKeepers Society.

Read more about Ivonne Gamboa here.

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