PRESENTATION ON WATER PRESENTATION ON WATER POLLUTIONPOLLUTION

BY MIAN RAHAM GHAFFARBY MIAN RAHAM GHAFFAR

B,es batch 1stB,es batch 1st

IntroductionIntroduction Comprising over 70% of the Earths Comprising over 70% of the Earths

surface, water is undoubtedly the surface, water is undoubtedly the most precious natural resource that most precious natural resource that exists on our planet.  Without the exists on our planet.  Without the seemingly invaluable compound seemingly invaluable compound comprised of hydrogen and oxygen, comprised of hydrogen and oxygen, life on Earth would be non-existent: it life on Earth would be non-existent: it is essential for everything on our is essential for everything on our planet to grow and prosper.  planet to grow and prosper. 

.  Although we as humans recognize this .  Although we as humans recognize this fact, we disregard it by polluting our fact, we disregard it by polluting our rivers, lakes, and oceans. Subsequently, rivers, lakes, and oceans. Subsequently, we are slowly but surely harming our we are slowly but surely harming our planet to the point where organisms planet to the point where organisms are dying at a very alarming rate.  In are dying at a very alarming rate.  In addition to innocent organisms dying addition to innocent organisms dying off, our drinking water has become off, our drinking water has become greatly affected as is our ability to use greatly affected as is our ability to use water for recreational purposes.  In water for recreational purposes.  In order to combat water pollution, we order to combat water pollution, we must understand the problems and must understand the problems and become part of the solution. become part of the solution.

POINT AND NONPOINT POINT AND NONPOINT SOURCESSOURCES

        According to the American College According to the American College Dictionary, pollution is defined as:  to make Dictionary, pollution is defined as:  to make foul or unclean; dirty.  Water pollution occurs foul or unclean; dirty.  Water pollution occurs when a body of water is adversely affected when a body of water is adversely affected due to the addition of large amounts of due to the addition of large amounts of materials to the water.  When it is unfit for its materials to the water.  When it is unfit for its intended use, water is considered polluted.  intended use, water is considered polluted.  Two types of water pollutants exist; point Two types of water pollutants exist; point source and non point source.  Point sources source and non point source.  Point sources of pollution occur when harmful substances of pollution occur when harmful substances are emitted directly into a body of water.  are emitted directly into a body of water. 

The Exxon Valdez oil spill best illustrates a The Exxon Valdez oil spill best illustrates a point source water pollution.  A non point point source water pollution.  A non point source delivers pollutants indirectly source delivers pollutants indirectly through environmental changes.  An through environmental changes.  An example of this type of water pollution is example of this type of water pollution is when fertilizer from a field is carried into a when fertilizer from a field is carried into a stream by rain, in the form of run-off stream by rain, in the form of run-off which in turn effects aquatic life.  The which in turn effects aquatic life.  The technology exists for point sources of technology exists for point sources of pollution to be monitored and regulated, pollution to be monitored and regulated, although political factors may complicate although political factors may complicate matters. Non point sources are much more matters. Non point sources are much more difficult to control.  Pollution arising from difficult to control.  Pollution arising from non point non point sources accounts for a majority of the sources accounts for a majority of the contaminants in streams and lakes. contaminants in streams and lakes.

CAUSES OF POLLUTIONCAUSES OF POLLUTION           Many causes of pollution including sewage Many causes of pollution including sewage

and fertilizers contain nutrients such as and fertilizers contain nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates.  In excess levels, nitrates and phosphates.  In excess levels, nutrients over stimulate the growth of aquatic nutrients over stimulate the growth of aquatic plants and algae.  Excessive growth of these plants and algae.  Excessive growth of these types of organisms consequently clogs our types of organisms consequently clogs our waterways, use up dissolved oxygen as they waterways, use up dissolved oxygen as they decompose, and block light to deeper waters. decompose, and block light to deeper waters. This, in turn, proves very harmful to aquatic This, in turn, proves very harmful to aquatic organisms as it affects the respiration ability or organisms as it affects the respiration ability or fish and other invertebrates that reside in fish and other invertebrates that reside in water. water.

          Pollution is also caused when silt and Pollution is also caused when silt and other suspended solids, such as soil, other suspended solids, such as soil, washoff plowed fields, construction and washoff plowed fields, construction and logging sites, urban areas, and eroded logging sites, urban areas, and eroded river banks when it rains.  Under natural river banks when it rains.  Under natural conditions, lakes, rivers, and other water conditions, lakes, rivers, and other water bodies undergo Eutrophication, an aging bodies undergo Eutrophication, an aging process that slowly fills in the water body process that slowly fills in the water body with sediment and organic matter.  When with sediment and organic matter.  When these sediments enter various bodies of these sediments enter various bodies of water, fish respirationbecomes impaired, water, fish respirationbecomes impaired, plant productivity and water depth become plant productivity and water depth become reduced, and aquatic organisms and their reduced, and aquatic organisms and their environments become suffocated.  environments become suffocated.  Pollution in the form of organic Pollution in the form of organic

material enters waterways in many material enters waterways in many different forms as sewage, as leaves and different forms as sewage, as leaves and grass clippings, or as runoff from livestock grass clippings, or as runoff from livestock feedlots and pastures.  When natural feedlots and pastures.  When natural bacteria and protozoan in the water break bacteria and protozoan in the water break down this organic material, they begin to down this organic material, they begin to use up the oxygen dissolved in the water.  use up the oxygen dissolved in the water.  Many types of fish and bottom-dwelling Many types of fish and bottom-dwelling animals cannot survive when levels of animals cannot survive when levels of dissolved oxygen drop below two to five dissolved oxygen drop below two to five parts per million.  When this occurs, it kills parts per million.  When this occurs, it kills aquatic organisms in large numbers which aquatic organisms in large numbers which leads to disruptions in the food chain. leads to disruptions in the food chain.

PollutedPolluted River in the United River in the United KingdomKingdom

The pollution of rivers and streams with The pollution of rivers and streams with chemical contaminants has become one chemical contaminants has become one of the most crutial environmental of the most crutial environmental problems within the 20th century. problems within the 20th century. Waterborne chemical pollution entering Waterborne chemical pollution entering rivers and streams cause tremendous rivers and streams cause tremendous amounts of destruction Pathogens are amounts of destruction Pathogens are another type of pollution that prove another type of pollution that prove very harmful.  They can cause many very harmful.  They can cause many illnesses that range from typhoid and illnesses that range from typhoid and dysentery to minor respiratory and skin dysentery to minor respiratory and skin diseases.  Pathogens include such diseases.  Pathogens include such organisms as bacteria, viruses, and organisms as bacteria, viruses, and protozoan.  protozoan. 

These pollutants enter waterways These pollutants enter waterways through untreated sewage, storm through untreated sewage, storm drains, septic tanks, runoff from farms, drains, septic tanks, runoff from farms, and particularly boats that dump and particularly boats that dump sewage.  Though microscopic, these sewage.  Though microscopic, these pollutants have a tremendous effect pollutants have a tremendous effect evidenced by their ability to cause evidenced by their ability to cause sickness. sickness.    

ADDITIONAL FORMS OF ADDITIONAL FORMS OF WATER POLLUTIONWATER POLLUTION

      Three last forms of water pollution exist in Three last forms of water pollution exist in the forms of petroleum, radioactive the forms of petroleum, radioactive substances, and heat.  Petroleum often substances, and heat.  Petroleum often pollutes waterbodies in the form of oil, pollutes waterbodies in the form of oil, resulting from oil spills.  The previously resulting from oil spills.  The previously mentioned Exxon Valdez is an example of mentioned Exxon Valdez is an example of this type of water pollution.  These large-this type of water pollution.  These large-scale accidental discharges of petroleum scale accidental discharges of petroleum are an important cause of pollution along are an important cause of pollution along shore lines.  Besides the supertankers, off-shore lines.  Besides the supertankers, off-shore drilling operations contribute a large shore drilling operations contribute a large share of pollution.  share of pollution. 

One estimate is that one ton of oil is One estimate is that one ton of oil is spilled for every million tons of oil spilled for every million tons of oil transported.  This is equal to about 0.0001 transported.  This is equal to about 0.0001 percent. Radioactive substances are percent. Radioactive substances are produced in the form of waste from produced in the form of waste from nuclear power plants, and from the nuclear power plants, and from the industrial, medical, and scientific use of industrial, medical, and scientific use of radioactive materials.  Specific forms of radioactive materials.  Specific forms of waste are uranium and thorium mining waste are uranium and thorium mining and refining.  The last form of water and refining.  The last form of water pollution is heat.  Heat is a pollutant pollution is heat.  Heat is a pollutant because increased temperatures result in because increased temperatures result in the deaths of many aquatic organisms.  the deaths of many aquatic organisms.  These decreases in temperatures are These decreases in temperatures are caused when a discharge of cooling water caused when a discharge of cooling water by factories and power plants occurs. by factories and power plants occurs.

Demonstrators Protest Demonstrators Protest DrillingDrilling

Oil pollution is a growing problem, Oil pollution is a growing problem, particularly devestating to coastal wildlife.  particularly devestating to coastal wildlife.  Small quantities of oil spread rapidly Small quantities of oil spread rapidly across long distances to form deadly oil across long distances to form deadly oil slicks. In this picture, demonstrators with slicks. In this picture, demonstrators with "oil-covered" plastic animals protest a "oil-covered" plastic animals protest a potential drilling project in Key Largo, potential drilling project in Key Largo, Florida. Whether or not accidental spills Florida. Whether or not accidental spills occur during the project, its impact on the occur during the project, its impact on the delicate marine ecosystem of the coral delicate marine ecosystem of the coral reefs could be devastating.reefs could be devastating.

Oil Spill Clean-upOil Spill Clean-up

Oil Spill Clean-upOil Spill Clean-up

Workers use special nets to clean up a Workers use special nets to clean up a California beach after an oil tanker spill. Tanker California beach after an oil tanker spill. Tanker spills are an increasing environmental problem spills are an increasing environmental problem because once oil has spilled, it is virtually because once oil has spilled, it is virtually impossible to completely remove or contain it. impossible to completely remove or contain it. Even small amounts spread rapidly across large Even small amounts spread rapidly across large areas of water. Because oil and water do not areas of water. Because oil and water do not mix, the oil floats on the water and then mix, the oil floats on the water and then washes up on broad expanses of shoreline. washes up on broad expanses of shoreline. Attempts to chemically treat or sink the oil may Attempts to chemically treat or sink the oil may further disrupt marine and beach ecosystems.further disrupt marine and beach ecosystems.

  CLASSIFYING WATER CLASSIFYING WATER POLLUTIONPOLLUTION

The major sources of water pollution can be classified as The major sources of water pollution can be classified as municipal, industrial, and agricultural. municipal, industrial, and agricultural.  Municipal water pollution Municipal water pollution consists of waste water from homes and commercial consists of waste water from homes and commercial

establishments.  For many years, the main goal of establishments.  For many years, the main goal of treating municipal treating municipal wastewater was simply to reduce its content of wastewater was simply to reduce its content of suspended solids, oxygen-demanding materials, suspended solids, oxygen-demanding materials, dissolved inorganic compounds, and harmful bacteria.  dissolved inorganic compounds, and harmful bacteria.  In recent years, however, more stress has been placed In recent years, however, more stress has been placed on improving means of disposal of the solid residues on improving means of disposal of the solid residues from the municipal treatment processes.  The basic from the municipal treatment processes.  The basic methods of treating municipal wastewater fall into methods of treating municipal wastewater fall into three stages: primary treatment, including grit three stages: primary treatment, including grit removal, screening, grinding, and sedimentation; removal, screening, grinding, and sedimentation; secondary treatment, which entails oxidation of secondary treatment, which entails oxidation of dissolved organic matter by means of using dissolved organic matter by means of using biologically active sludgebiologically active sludge , ,

which is then filtered off; and tertiary which is then filtered off; and tertiary treatment, in which advanced treatment, in which advanced biological methods of nitrogen biological methods of nitrogen removal and chemical and physical removal and chemical and physical methods such as granular filtration methods such as granular filtration and activated carbon absorption are and activated carbon absorption are employed.  The handling and employed.  The handling and disposal of solid residues can disposal of solid residues can account for 25 to 50 percent of the account for 25 to 50 percent of the capital and operational costs of a capital and operational costs of a treatment plant.  treatment plant. 

.  The characteristics of industrial .  The characteristics of industrial waste waters can differ considerably waste waters can differ considerably both within and among industries.  both within and among industries.  The impact of industrial discharges The impact of industrial discharges depends not only on their collective depends not only on their collective characteristics, such as biochemical characteristics, such as biochemical oxygen demand and the amount of oxygen demand and the amount of suspended solids, but also on their suspended solids, but also on their content of specific inorganic and content of specific inorganic and organic substances. Three options organic substances. Three options are available in controlling industrial are available in controlling industrial wastewater.  Control can take place wastewater.  Control can take place at the point of generation in the at the point of generation in the plant; wastewater can be pretreated plant; wastewater can be pretreated for discharge to municipal treatment for discharge to municipal treatment sources;. sources;.

or wastewater can be treated or wastewater can be treated completely at the plant and either completely at the plant and either reused or discharged directly into reused or discharged directly into receiving watersreceiving waters

Wastewater TreatmentWastewater Treatment Raw sewage includes waste from Raw sewage includes waste from

sinks, toilets, and industrial processes. sinks, toilets, and industrial processes. Treatment of the sewage is required Treatment of the sewage is required before it can be safely buried, used, or before it can be safely buried, used, or released back into local water released back into local water systems. In a treatment plant, the systems. In a treatment plant, the waste is passed through a series of waste is passed through a series of screens, chambers, and chemical screens, chambers, and chemical processes to reduce its bulk and processes to reduce its bulk and toxicity. The three general phases of toxicity. The three general phases of treatment are primary, secondary, and treatment are primary, secondary, and tertiary. tertiary.

During primary treatment, a large During primary treatment, a large percentage of the suspended solids percentage of the suspended solids and inorganic material is removed and inorganic material is removed from the sewage . The focus of from the sewage . The focus of secondary treatment is reducing secondary treatment is reducing organic material by accelerating organic material by accelerating natural biological processes. Tertiary natural biological processes. Tertiary treatment is necessary when the treatment is necessary when the water will be reused; 99 percent of water will be reused; 99 percent of solids are removed and various solids are removed and various chemical processes are used to chemical processes are used to ensure the water is as free from ensure the water is as free from impurity as possible.impurity as possible.

  Agriculture, including commercial Agriculture, including commercial livestock and poultry farming, is the livestock and poultry farming, is the source of many organic and inorganic source of many organic and inorganic pollutants in surface waters and pollutants in surface waters and groundwater. These contaminants groundwater. These contaminants include both sediment from erosion include both sediment from erosion cropland and compounds of phosphorus cropland and compounds of phosphorus and nitrogen that partly originate in and nitrogen that partly originate in animal wastes and commercial animal wastes and commercial fertilizers.  Animal wastes are high in fertilizers.  Animal wastes are high in oxygen demanding material, nitrogen oxygen demanding material, nitrogen and phosphorus, and they often harbor and phosphorus, and they often harbor pathogenic organisms .  pathogenic organisms . 

.  Wastes from commercial .  Wastes from commercial feeders are contained and disposed feeders are contained and disposed of on land; their main threat to of on land; their main threat to natural waters, therefore, is from natural waters, therefore, is from runoff and leaching.  Control may runoff and leaching.  Control may involve settling basins for liquids, involve settling basins for liquids, limited biological treatment in limited biological treatment in aerobic or anaerobic lagoons, and a aerobic or anaerobic lagoons, and a variety of other methods variety of other methods

Wastewater TreatmentWastewater Treatment

GROUND WATERGROUND WATER       Ninety-five percent of all fresh water Ninety-five percent of all fresh water

on earth is ground water.  Ground on earth is ground water.  Ground water is found in natural rock water is found in natural rock formations.  These formations, called formations.  These formations, called aquifers, are a vital natural resource aquifers, are a vital natural resource with many uses.  Nationally, 53% of the with many uses.  Nationally, 53% of the population relies on ground water as a population relies on ground water as a source of drinking water.  In rural areas source of drinking water.  In rural areas this figure is even higher.  Eighty one this figure is even higher.  Eighty one percent of community water is percent of community water is dependent dependent

on ground water.  Although the 1992 on ground water.  Although the 1992 Section 305(b) State Water Quality Section 305(b) State Water Quality Reports indicate that, overall, the Reports indicate that, overall, the Nations ground water quality is good Nations ground water quality is good to excellent, many local areas have to excellent, many local areas have experienced significant ground water experienced significant ground water contamination. contamination. Some examples are leaking Some examples are leaking underground storage tanks and underground storage tanks and municipal landfills municipal landfills

LEGISLATIONLEGISLATION Several forms of legislation have been Several forms of legislation have been

passed in recent decades to try to passed in recent decades to try to control water pollution.  In 1970, the control water pollution.  In 1970, the Clean Water Act provided 50 billion Clean Water Act provided 50 billion dollars to cities and states to build dollars to cities and states to build wastewater facilities.  This has helped wastewater facilities.  This has helped control surface water pollution from control surface water pollution from industrial and municipal sources industrial and municipal sources throughout the United States.  When throughout the United States.  When congress passed the Clean Water Act in congress passed the Clean Water Act in 1972, states were given primary 1972, states were given primary authority to set their own standards for authority to set their own standards for their water.  their water. 

In addition to these standards, the act In addition to these standards, the act required that all state beneficial uses required that all state beneficial uses and their criteria must comply with and their criteria must comply with the fishable and swimmable goals of the fishable and swimmable goals of the act.  This essentially means that the act.  This essentially means that state beneficial uses must be able to state beneficial uses must be able to support aquatic life and recreational support aquatic life and recreational use.  Because it is impossible to test use.  Because it is impossible to test water for every type of disease-water for every type of disease-causing organism, states usually look causing organism, states usually look to identify indicator bacteria.  One for to identify indicator bacteria.  One for a example is a bacteriaa example is a bacteria

known as fecal coliforms. (Figure 1 known as fecal coliforms. (Figure 1 shows the quality of water for each shows the quality of water for each every state in the United States, click every state in the United States, click on the US link). These indicator on the US link). These indicator bacteria suggest that a certain bacteria suggest that a certain selection of water may be selection of water may be contaminated with untreated sewage contaminated with untreated sewage and that other, more dangerous, and that other, more dangerous, organisms are present.  These organisms are present.  These legislations are an important part in legislations are an important part in the fight against water pollution.  the fight against water pollution.  They are useful in preventing They are useful in preventing Environmental catastrophes. Environmental catastrophes. 

The graph shows reported pollution incidents The graph shows reported pollution incidents since 1989-1994.  If stronger legislations since 1989-1994.  If stronger legislations

existed, perhaps these events would never existed, perhaps these events would never

have occurredhave occurred. .

GLOBAL WATER POLLUTION   GLOBAL WATER POLLUTION  

Estimates suggest that nearly 1.5 Estimates suggest that nearly 1.5 billion people lack safe drinking billion people lack safe drinking water and that at least 5 million water and that at least 5 million deaths per year can be deaths per year can be attributed to waterborne attributed to waterborne diseases. With over 70 percent diseases. With over 70 percent of the planet covered by oceans, of the planet covered by oceans, people have long acted as if people have long acted as if these very bodies of water could these very bodies of water could serve as a limitless dumping serve as a limitless dumping ground for wastes.ground for wastes.

Raw sewage, garbage, and oil spills Raw sewage, garbage, and oil spills have begun to overwhelm the diluting have begun to overwhelm the diluting capabilities of the oceans, and most capabilities of the oceans, and most coastal waters are now polluted. coastal waters are now polluted. Beaches around the world are closed Beaches around the world are closed regularly, often because of high regularly, often because of high amounts of bacteria from sewage amounts of bacteria from sewage disposal, and marine wildlife is disposal, and marine wildlife is beginning to suffer.      Perhaps the beginning to suffer.      Perhaps the biggest reason for developing a biggest reason for developing a worldwide effort to monitor and worldwide effort to monitor and restrict global pollution is the fact that restrict global pollution is the fact that most forms of pollution do not respect most forms of pollution do not respect national boundaries. national boundaries.

The first major international conference on The first major international conference on environmental issues was held in Stockholm, environmental issues was held in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1972 and was sponsored by the Sweden, in 1972 and was sponsored by the United Nations (UN). This meeting, at which the United Nations (UN). This meeting, at which the United States took a leading role, was United States took a leading role, was controversial because many developing countries controversial because many developing countries were fearful that a focus on environmental were fearful that a focus on environmental protection was a means for the developed world protection was a means for the developed world to keep the undeveloped world in an to keep the undeveloped world in an economically subservient position. The most economically subservient position. The most important outcome of the conference was the important outcome of the conference was the creation of the United Nations Environmental creation of the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP). Program (UNEP). UNEP was designed to be the environmental UNEP was designed to be the environmental conscience of the United Nations, and, in an conscience of the United Nations, and, in an attempt to allay fears of the developing world, it attempt to allay fears of the developing world, it became the first UN agency to be headquartered became the first UN agency to be headquartered in a developing country, in a developing country,

with offices in Nairobi, Kenya. In with offices in Nairobi, Kenya. In addition to attempting to achieve addition to attempting to achieve scientific consensus about major scientific consensus about major environmental issues, a major focus for environmental issues, a major focus for UNEP has been the study of ways to UNEP has been the study of ways to encourage sustainable development encourage sustainable development increasing standards of living without increasing standards of living without destroying the environment. At the time destroying the environment. At the time of UNEP's creation in 1972, only 11 of UNEP's creation in 1972, only 11 countries had environmental agencies. countries had environmental agencies. Ten years later that number had grown Ten years later that number had grown to 106, of which 70 were in developing to 106, of which 70 were in developing countries. countries.

WATER QUALITYWATER QUALITY   Water quality is closely linked to water Water quality is closely linked to water

use and to the state of economic use and to the state of economic development.  In industrialized development.  In industrialized countries, bacterial contamination of countries, bacterial contamination of surface water caused serious health surface water caused serious health problems in major cities throughout problems in major cities throughout the mid 1800?s.  By the turn of the the mid 1800?s.  By the turn of the century, cities in Europe and North century, cities in Europe and North America began building sewer America began building sewer networks to route domestic wastes networks to route domestic wastes downstream of water intakes downstream of water intakes

Development of these sewage networks and Development of these sewage networks and waste treatment facilities in urban areas has waste treatment facilities in urban areas has expanded tremendously in the past two decades.  expanded tremendously in the past two decades.  However, the rapid growth of the urban However, the rapid growth of the urban population (especially in Latin America and Asia) population (especially in Latin America and Asia) has outpaced the ability of governments to has outpaced the ability of governments to expand sewage and water infrastructure.  While expand sewage and water infrastructure.  While waterborne diseases have been eliminated in the waterborne diseases have been eliminated in the developed world, outbreaks of cholera and other developed world, outbreaks of cholera and other similar diseases still occur with alarming similar diseases still occur with alarming frequency in the developing countries.  Since frequency in the developing countries.  Since World War II and the birth of the ?chemical age?, World War II and the birth of the ?chemical age?, water quality has been heavily impacted water quality has been heavily impacted worldwide by industrial and agricultural worldwide by industrial and agricultural chemicals. Eutrophication of surface waters from chemicals. Eutrophication of surface waters from human and agricultural wastes and nitrification of human and agricultural wastes and nitrification of groundwater from agricultural practices has groundwater from agricultural practices has greatly affected large parts of the world. greatly affected large parts of the world. Acidification of surface waters by air pollution is a Acidification of surface waters by air pollution is a recent phenomenon and threatens aquatic life in recent phenomenon and threatens aquatic life in many area of the world.  In developed countries, many area of the world.  In developed countries,

these general types of pollution have these general types of pollution have occurred sequentially with the result occurred sequentially with the result that most developed countries have that most developed countries have successfully dealt with major surface successfully dealt with major surface water pollution.  In contrast, water pollution.  In contrast, however, newly industrialized however, newly industrialized countries such as China, India, countries such as China, India, Thailand, Brazil, and Mexico are now Thailand, Brazil, and Mexico are now facing all these issues facing all these issues simultaneously. simultaneously.

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION                 Clearly, the problems associated with water pollution Clearly, the problems associated with water pollution

have the capabilities to disrupt life on our planet to a great have the capabilities to disrupt life on our planet to a great extent. Congress has passed laws to try to combat water extent. Congress has passed laws to try to combat water pollution thus acknowledging the fact that water pollution pollution thus acknowledging the fact that water pollution is, indeed, a serious issue. But the government alone is, indeed, a serious issue. But the government alone cannot solve the entire problem.  It is ultimately up to us, to cannot solve the entire problem.  It is ultimately up to us, to be informed, responsible and involved when it comes to the be informed, responsible and involved when it comes to the problems we face with our water.  We must become problems we face with our water.  We must become familiar with our local water resources and learn about familiar with our local water resources and learn about ways for disposing harmful household wastes so they don't ways for disposing harmful household wastes so they don't end up in sewage treatment plants that can't handle them end up in sewage treatment plants that can't handle them or landfills not designed to receive hazardous materials.  In or landfills not designed to receive hazardous materials.  In our yards, we must determine whether additional nutrients our yards, we must determine whether additional nutrients are needed before fertilizers are applied, and look for are needed before fertilizers are applied, and look for alternatives where fertilizers might run off into surface alternatives where fertilizers might run off into surface waters. We have to preserve existing trees and plant new waters. We have to preserve existing trees and plant new trees and shrubs to help prevent soil erosion and promote trees and shrubs to help prevent soil erosion and promote infiltration of water into the soil infiltration of water into the soil

.  Around our houses, we must keep litter, pet waste, .  Around our houses, we must keep litter, pet waste, leaves, and grass clippings out of gutters and storm drains.  leaves, and grass clippings out of gutters and storm drains.  These are These are just a few of the many ways in which we, as humans, have just a few of the many ways in which we, as humans, have the ability to combat water pollution.  As we head into the the ability to combat water pollution.  As we head into the 21st century, awareness and education will most assuredly 21st century, awareness and education will most assuredly continue to be the two most important ways to prevent continue to be the two most important ways to prevent water pollution.  If these measures are not taken and water water pollution.  If these measures are not taken and water pollution continues, life on earth will suffer severely. pollution continues, life on earth will suffer severely.

    Global environmental collapse is not inevitable. But the Global environmental collapse is not inevitable. But the developed world must work with the developing world to developed world must work with the developing world to ensure that new industrialized economies do not add to the ensure that new industrialized economies do not add to the world's environmental problems. Politicians must think of world's environmental problems. Politicians must think of sustainable development rather than economic expansion. sustainable development rather than economic expansion. Conservation strategies have to become more widely Conservation strategies have to become more widely accepted, and people must learn that energy use can be accepted, and people must learn that energy use can be dramatically diminished without sacrificing comfort.  In dramatically diminished without sacrificing comfort.  In short, with the technology that currently short, with the technology that currently exists, the years of global environmental mistreatment can exists, the years of global environmental mistreatment can begin to be reversed begin to be reversed

ReferencesReferences

1:1:www.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_www.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_pollutionpollution

2: Gannon, RW; Osmond, DL; Humenik, FJ; 2: Gannon, RW; Osmond, DL; Humenik, FJ; Gale, JA; Spooner, J Agricultural Water Gale, JA; Spooner, J Agricultural Water Quality WATER RESOUR BULL, vol. 32, no. Quality WATER RESOUR BULL, vol. 32, no. 3, pp. 437-450, 19963, pp. 437-450, 1996

3: U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 3: U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, WASHINGTON, DC (USA), 1996, AGENCY, WASHINGTON, DC (USA), 1996, 253 pp253 pp

4: MacKenzie, SH The Ecosystem ISLAND 4: MacKenzie, SH The Ecosystem ISLAND PRESS, CA (USA), 1996, 240PRESS, CA (USA), 1996, 240

5: 5: WATER POLLUTION AND SOCIETY WATER POLLUTION AND SOCIETY ByDavid Krantz and Brad KiffersteinByDavid Krantz and Brad Kifferstein

GOOD LUCKGOOD LUCK GOOD LUCKGOOD LUCK