PRESENTATION ON WATER PRESENTATION ON WATER POLLUTIONPOLLUTION

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

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

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

POINT AND NONPOINT POINT AND NONPOINT SOURCESSOURCES

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

The Exxon Valdez oil spill best illustrates a point The Exxon Valdez oil spill best illustrates a point source water pollution.  A non point source source water pollution.  A non point source delivers pollutants indirectly through delivers pollutants indirectly through environmental changes.  An example of this type environmental changes.  An example of this type of water pollution is when fertilizer from a field is of water pollution is when fertilizer from a field is carried into a stream by rain, in the form of run-carried into a stream by rain, in the form of run-off off which in turn effects aquatic life.  The technology which in turn effects aquatic life.  The technology exists for point sources of pollution to be exists for point sources of pollution to be monitored and regulated, although political monitored and regulated, although political factors may complicate matters. Non point factors may complicate matters. Non point sources are much more difficult to control.  sources are much more difficult to control.  Pollution arising from non point Pollution arising from 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 nitrates and fertilizers contain nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates.  In excess levels, nutrients over and phosphates.  In excess levels, nutrients over stimulate the growth of aquatic plants and algae.  stimulate the growth of aquatic plants and algae.  Excessive growth of these types of organisms Excessive growth of these types of organisms consequently clogs our waterways, use up consequently clogs our waterways, use up dissolved oxygen as they decompose, and block dissolved oxygen as they decompose, and block light to deeper waters. 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 water. fish and other invertebrates that reside in water.

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

material enters waterways in many different material enters waterways in many different forms as sewage, as leaves and grass clippings, forms as sewage, as leaves and grass clippings, or as runoff from livestock feedlots and or as runoff from livestock feedlots and pastures.  When natural bacteria and protozoan pastures.  When natural bacteria and protozoan in the water break down this organic material, in the water break down this organic material, they begin to use up the oxygen dissolved in the they begin to use up the oxygen dissolved in the water.  Many types of fish and bottom-dwelling water.  Many types of fish and bottom-dwelling animals cannot survive when levels of dissolved animals cannot survive when levels of dissolved oxygen drop below two to five parts per million.  oxygen drop below two to five parts per million.  When this occurs, it kills aquatic organisms in When this occurs, it kills aquatic organisms in large numbers which leads to disruptions in the large numbers which leads to disruptions in the food chain. 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 of the chemical contaminants has become one of the most crutial environmental problems within the most crutial environmental problems within the 20th century. Waterborne chemical pollution 20th century. Waterborne chemical pollution entering rivers and streams cause tremendous entering rivers and streams cause tremendous amounts of destruction Pathogens are another amounts of destruction Pathogens are another type of pollution that prove very harmful.  They type of pollution that prove very harmful.  They can cause many illnesses that range from can cause many illnesses that range from typhoid and dysentery to minor respiratory and typhoid and dysentery to minor respiratory and skin diseases.  Pathogens include such skin diseases.  Pathogens include such organisms as bacteria, viruses, and protozoan.  organisms as bacteria, viruses, and protozoan. 

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

ADDITIONAL FORMS OF ADDITIONAL FORMS OF WATER POLLUTIONWATER POLLUTION

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

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

Demonstrators Protest DrillingDemonstrators Protest Drilling

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

Oil Spil l Clean-upOil Spil l Clean-up

Oil Spil l Clean-upOil Spil l 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 washes mix, the oil floats on the water and then washes up on broad expanses of shoreline. Attempts to up on broad expanses of shoreline. Attempts to chemically treat or sink the oil may further chemically treat or sink the oil may further disrupt marine and beach ecosystems.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 treating establishments.  For many years, the main goal of treating municipal municipal wastewater was simply to reduce its content of suspended wastewater was simply to reduce its content of suspended solids, oxygen-demanding materials, dissolved inorganic solids, oxygen-demanding materials, dissolved inorganic compounds, and harmful bacteria.  In recent years, compounds, and harmful bacteria.  In recent years, however, more stress has been placed on improving however, more stress has been placed on improving means of disposal of the solid residues from the municipal means of disposal of the solid residues from the municipal treatment processes.  The basic methods of treating treatment processes.  The basic methods of treating municipal wastewater fall into three stages: primary municipal wastewater fall into three stages: primary treatment, including grit removal, screening, grinding, and treatment, including grit removal, screening, grinding, and sedimentation; secondary treatment, which entails sedimentation; secondary treatment, which entails oxidation of dissolved organic matter by means of using oxidation of 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 biological treatment, in which advanced biological methods of nitrogen removal and chemical methods of nitrogen removal and chemical and physical methods such as granular and physical methods such as granular filtration and activated carbon absorption filtration and activated carbon absorption are employed.  The handling and disposal are employed.  The handling and disposal of solid residues can of solid residues can account for 25 to 50 percent of the capital account for 25 to 50 percent of the capital and operational costs of a treatment and operational costs of a treatment plant.  plant. 

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

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

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

toilets, and industrial processes. 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 systems. In released back into local water systems. In a treatment plant, the waste is passed a treatment plant, the waste is passed through a series of screens, chambers, through a series of screens, chambers, and chemical processes to reduce its bulk and chemical processes to reduce its bulk and toxicity. The three general phases of and 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 and percentage of the suspended solids and inorganic material is removed from the inorganic material is removed from the sewage . The focus of secondary sewage . The focus of secondary treatment is reducing organic material by treatment is reducing organic material by accelerating natural biological processes. accelerating natural biological processes. Tertiary treatment is necessary when the Tertiary treatment is necessary when the water will be reused; 99 percent of solids water will be reused; 99 percent of solids are removed and various chemical are removed and various chemical processes are used to ensure the water is processes are used to ensure the water is as free from impurity as possible.as free from impurity as possible.

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

.  Wastes from commercial .  Wastes from commercial feeders are contained and disposed of on feeders are contained and disposed of on land; their main threat to natural waters, land; their main threat to natural waters, therefore, is from runoff and leaching.  therefore, is from runoff and leaching.  Control may involve settling basins for Control may involve settling basins for liquids, limited biological treatment in liquids, 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 on Ninety-five percent of all fresh water on

earth is ground water.  Ground water is earth is ground water.  Ground water is found in natural rock formations.  These found in natural rock formations.  These formations, called aquifers, are a vital natural formations, called aquifers, are a vital natural resource with many uses.  Nationally, 53% of resource with many uses.  Nationally, 53% of the population relies on ground water as a the population relies on ground water as a source of drinking water.  In rural areas this source of drinking water.  In rural areas this figure is even higher.  Eighty one percent of figure is even higher.  Eighty one percent of community water is dependent community water is 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 Nations Reports indicate that, overall, the Nations ground water quality is good to excellent, ground water quality is good to excellent, many local areas have experienced many local areas have experienced significant ground water contamination. significant ground water contamination. Some examples are leaking underground Some examples are leaking underground storage tanks and municipal landfills storage tanks and municipal landfills

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

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

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

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

The graph shows reported pollut ion incidents The graph shows reported pollut ion incidents since 1989-1994.  If stronger legislat ions existed, since 1989-1994.  If stronger legislat ions existed,

perhaps these events would never have perhaps these events would never have

occurredoccurred . .

GLOBAL WATER POLLUTION   GLOBAL WATER POLLUTION  

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

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

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

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

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

and to the state of economic and to the state of economic development.  In industrialized countries, development.  In industrialized countries, bacterial contamination of surface water bacterial contamination of surface water caused serious health problems in major caused serious health problems in major cities throughout the mid 1800?s.  By the cities throughout the mid 1800?s.  By the turn of the century, cities in Europe and turn of the century, cities in Europe and North America began building sewer North 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 waste Development of these sewage networks and waste treatment facilities in urban areas has expanded treatment facilities in urban areas has expanded tremendously in the past two decades.  However, the tremendously in the past two decades.  However, the rapid growth of the urban population (especially in Latin rapid growth of the urban population (especially in Latin America and Asia) has outpaced the ability of America and Asia) has outpaced the ability of governments to expand sewage and water governments to expand sewage and water infrastructure.  While waterborne diseases have been infrastructure.  While waterborne diseases have been eliminated in the developed world, outbreaks of cholera eliminated in the developed world, outbreaks of cholera and other similar diseases still occur with alarming and other similar diseases still occur with alarming frequency in the developing countries.  Since World War frequency in the developing countries.  Since World War II and the birth of the ?chemical age?, water quality has II and the birth of the ?chemical age?, water quality has been heavily impacted worldwide by industrial and been heavily impacted worldwide by industrial and agricultural chemicals. Eutrophication of surface waters agricultural chemicals. Eutrophication of surface waters from human and agricultural wastes and nitrification of from human and agricultural wastes and nitrification of groundwater from agricultural practices has greatly groundwater from agricultural practices has greatly affected large parts of the world. Acidification of surface affected large parts of the world. Acidification of surface waters by air pollution is a recent phenomenon and waters by air pollution is a recent phenomenon and threatens aquatic life in many area of the world.  In threatens aquatic life in many area of the world.  In developed countries, developed countries,

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

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

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

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

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

ReferencesReferences

1:1:www.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_www.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_pollut ionpollut ion

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