We have talked about… Groundwater Surface water Watersheds.

We have talked about…

•Groundwater•Surface water•Watersheds

What can cause our supply of water to become contaminated?

Many things

Construction Sites

Can producemoreSEDIMENTS to wash into the waterways.

Lumbering Practices

Can producemoreSEDIMENTS to wash into the waterways.

Oil Refinery

Can produceoil, gasoline products to wash into the waterways.

Can KILL wildlife!!!

Gas Station



Oil drilling rigs

Roadways with traffic


Feedlots with animal waste (animal pens)

Can wash waste into streams, rivers, and lakes.

Human waste (not treated)

Can wash waste into streams, rivers, and lakes. (if not treated)

Wastewater treatment plants

Usually release wastewater into streams, rivers after one treatment.

Paper mill plants

Use water in the processes of the plant. Can cause contaminants in water.

Food processing Plants

Use water in the plant processes that can be released into streams, rivers, and lakes.

Mining Can release inorganic chemicals into streams, rivers, and lakes.

Manufacturing PlantsCan release inorganic chemicals into streams, rivers, and lakes.

Agriculture PracticesCan release excessive fertilizers into streams, rivers, and lakes.

Applying fertilizer to fields and then washing off.

Can release excessive fertilizers into streams, rivers, and lakes.

Car washingCan release excessive detergents into streams, rivers, and lakes.

Deep Water Dams –(produce cooled water)

Can cause “cooler” water into streams, rivers, and lakes which can harm wildlife.

Electric Producing Plants – (coal burning)

Can release “heated” water into streams, rivers, and lakes which can harm wildlife.

Chemicals used in various plants – Burning Fossil Fuels

Can cause chemicals in the air that form acid rain which harms wildlife.

Applying pesticides, herbicides, fungicides

Can wash off into streams, rivers, and lakes.

Humans Impact Water Quality!

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