One of the most important natural resources on the planet, water has existed for a very long period. In reality, the water that we drink today has existed in some capacity since the time of the dinosaurs. But, this water has become polluted. In this article, we look at various steps for the prevention of water pollution.
More than two-thirds of the earth’s surface is covered in water. The amount of water dispersed throughout the oceans, rivers, lakes, and streams comes to just over 1 octillion liters (1,260,000,000,000,000,000,000 liters).
Although there is a lot of water there, only about 0.3% of it may be used for human use. That number has decreased as commercialization and industrialization have advanced. Water contamination has also been caused by some factors, including old and ineffective techniques, ignorance, and numerous other occurrences.
Table of Contents
What is Water Pollution?
The polluting of water bodies is referred to as water pollution. Water pollution occurs when industrial and agricultural effluents contaminate water bodies such as rivers, lakes, oceans, groundwater, and aquifers.
Water pollution lowers water quality and makes it harmful to both humans and the environment. All lifeforms that depend on water, whether directly or indirectly, suffer when it is polluted. Years may pass before you notice the impacts of tainted water.
Water pollution comes in two forms:
- Organic pollution is caused by bacteria and viruses in the water that are spread by feces, animal waste, and plant waste
- Chemical pollution is caused by the phosphates and nitrates found in pesticides, medications for humans and animals, household goods, heavy metals, acids, and hydrocarbons.
Consequences of Water Pollution
The type of contaminants present and their concentration determine the impact of water pollution. In determining the amounts of pollution, the location of water bodies is also crucial.
Water contamination has the potential to significantly alter, modify, and DE-structure the environment.
Urban areas’ surrounding water bodies are very polluted. This is the outcome of industrial and commercial facilities discharging trash and hazardous materials.
- Health Risks to Humans
- Adverse Effects on the Food Chain
- Loss of Biodiversity
- Adverse Impact on Aquatic Life
- Change in Aquatic Habitats
- Economic Loss
1. Health Risks to Humans
Every year, almost a billion people become ill from drinking water that is unfit for human consumption. Humans are impacted by pollution and are susceptible to diseases like hepatitis when feces are present in water sources.
Cholera, giardiasis, and typhoid fever are among the illnesses that can be spread by contaminated water. Even in wealthy countries, sewage treatment plant emissions that are unintentional or unlawful, as well as runoff from farms and cities, contribute to the presence of dangerous germs in waterways.
2. Adverse Effects on the Food Chain
The food chain may be severely impacted by the effects of water contamination. The food chain is upset.
Some hazardous compounds, such as cadmium and lead, can continue to disrupt at higher levels after entering the food chain through animals (fish eaten by animals and humans).
3. Loss of Biodiversity
The entry of recently introduced nutrients stimulates the growth of plants and algae, which in turn reduces oxygen levels in the water when water pollution results in the spread of algae in a lake or other marine environment.
Eutrophication, a lack of oxygen, can result in “dead zones” where water is essentially devoid of life, suffocating plants and animals.
In some circumstances, the hazardous algae’s blossoming can also release neurotoxins that kill species, including sea turtles and whales.
4. Adverse Impact on Aquatic Life
Aquatic life is significantly impacted by water pollution. It alters their behavior and metabolism, which results in disease and eventual death. Dioxin is a toxin that affects many processes, including reproduction, unchecked cell development, and cancer.
Fish, chicken, and meat all bioaccumulate this compound. Before reaching the human body, toxic chemicals move up the food chain.
5. Change in Aquatic Habitats
Healthy ecosystems depend on an intricate web of organisms, including a wide variety of animals, plants, microbes, and fungi, all of which interact either directly or indirectly. A single harm to one of these creatures can start a domino effect that puts entire aquatic environments in peril.
6. Economic Loss
According to a report by the World Bank, the economic potential of highly contaminated places is being significantly diminished due to the global decline in water quality.
Prevention of Water Pollution 9 Effective Ways Globally
Understanding the root causes of water contamination is crucial for developing effective solutions to the problem. Water contamination has several causes, ranging from improper sewage disposal to rapid urbanization.
While reducing water pollution will need significant work, numerous practical methods can aid in the decrease of pollution in all bodies of water. Some of the more notable options will be examined in this article, including:
- Wastewater Treatment
- Plastic Waste Reduction
- Water Conservation
- Upgrade Your Toilets to Water-Efficient Models.
- Septic Tanks
- Avoid Using the Toilet as a Wastebasket
- Stormwater Management
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Denitrification
1. Wastewater Treatment
Treatment of part of the water before it is reintroduced into the waterways is probably the most efficient technique to prevent water pollution.
Because wastewater treatment facilities can almost eliminate all pollutants in wastewater through a chemical, physical, or biological process, this is a very effective option. The facility’s chambers will be used to steadily lower the toxicity of the sewage.
The equipment in wastewater treatment facilities must stay in excellent shape so that it can function exactly as planned.
Before the water is discharged back into the environment, a variety of water treatment sensors can be employed to ensure that the toxins are being adequately removed from the water.
These sensors include oxidation-reduction potential sensors, conductivity sensors, and pH sensors.
2. Plastic Waste Reduction
Plastic waste frequently finds its way into the ocean and other bodies of water, which only lowers the water’s quality.
There needs to be a significant decrease in the estimated 9–12 million tons of plastic that enter the ocean annually if we hope to prevent further deterioration of the ocean’s water quality.
Plastic is utilized in a wide range of goods that people use daily, including everything from clothes to other items around the home, in addition to water bottles.
It is advised that you avoid using plastics whenever possible to help limit the quantity of plastic garbage that enters the environment. Look for alternatives to plastic straws, cutlery, and bottles. Make careful to recycle all plastic that you use.
3. Water Conservation
It’s crucial to concentrate on water conservation whenever practical if you want to do your part to maintain water’s purity and cleanliness in a way that will safeguard the environment.
You may conserve water daily in a variety of ways. It is advised that you keep the water off while shaving or brushing your teeth.
Choose shorter showers that don’t last any longer than you need if you take a shower every day. Another option is to take a bath, which uses a lot less water.
Attempt to utilize no more water than what your plants need if your property includes a garden. Since water is a limited resource, you must make every effort to use less of it.
4. Upgrade Your Toilets to Water-Efficient Models.
In your bathroom, you could choose to install a water-saving, efficient toilet. About the previous point, this technique for lowering water pollution will assist you in water conservation.
In the past, flushing a toilet may require up to 3.5 gallons of water. In the end, the EPA required that only 1.6 gallons of water be flushed down the drain with each flush from all toilets.
Extremely efficient toilets—using only 0.8 to 1.1 gallons of water per flush—are available if you want to do your part to protect the environment. A water-saving toilet will not only help you save money, but it will also prevent water waste.
5. Septic Tanks
Septic tanks are practical pieces of machinery that effectively separate the liquids from the particles in sewage to treat it.
The solid materials will be thoroughly broken down in these tanks using a variety of biological processes before the liquids are discharged into a land drainage system.
Septic tanks effectively remove contaminants already present in the water, hence reducing water pollution.
6. Avoid Using the Toilet as a Wastebasket
It is advised that you refrain from using your toilet as a wastebasket if you want to prevent contributing to water contamination. Dust cloths, wrappers, and the bulk of tissues should be disposed of in the wastebasket rather than the toilet.
The likelihood that sewage pipes will clog up and that the sewage will be challenging to adequately clean when passed through a wastewater treatment facility or septic tank is increased by these elements.
You should refrain from using your toilet for anything other than toilet paper and things that go in the wastebasket.
7. Stormwater Management
When it’s practical, managing stormwater is another great way to preserve the environment and lessen water pollution.
Hazardous contaminants are gathered by stormwater as it travels along sidewalks, roadways, and lawns and is eventually discharged into storm drains, streams, and rivers.
Many various techniques can be used to clean and control stormwater, from sand filtration and electrocoagulation to reverse osmosis and advanced oxidation.
Because stormwater eventually finds its way to rivers, streams, and oceans and can exacerbate the pollution already present in these bodies of water, it is crucial to managing stormwater and the pollutants contained within it.
This problem should be lessened and the number of pollutants that enters the ocean by managing stormwater.
8. Sustainable Agriculture
Up to 70% of the world’s surface water resources are used by the agricultural sector for everything from farming to raising cattle. Unfortunately, the main contributor to water contamination is agriculture.
Every time it rains, pesticides and fertilizers are washed away by rainwater, which introduces germs and viruses to the rivers. Agriculture might, however, be more environmentally responsible.
Consider planting trees and other plants close to waterways to promote the use of green agriculture since they will prevent pesticides from being washed away during rainy seasons. Using insecticides that contain dangerous substances should also be avoided.
9. Denitrification
Nitrates are converted directly into nitrogen gas by the simple ecological process of denitrification, which helps to prevent nitrate from penetrating the soil and contaminating groundwater.
The nitrogen concentration of the water is far too high when too much nitrate reaches groundwater, which accelerates the growth of algae and phytoplankton.
Conclusion
What is impacted by water pollution? both the health of the ecosystem and every living thing.
As a result, we must fulfill Sustainable Development Goal 6, which was included in the United Nations’ Agenda 2030, by ensuring that everyone has access to water and that it is managed sustainably.
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A passion-driven environmentalist by heart. Lead content writer at EnvironmentGo.
I strive to educate the public about the environment and its problems.
It has always been about nature, we ought to protect not destroy.