With more than 30 years’ experience in the residential and commercial water treatment space, Mark Nelson is a Class 1 Drinking-Water Operator and a CBWA (Canadian Bottled Water Association) Certified Plant Operator. As founder and president of Nelson Water in Ottawa, Mark focuses on dealing with challenging water treatment system designs for problem water. He also heads the largest water bottling plant in the city of Ottawa with a delivery network throughout the Valley.
Water is essential for all life and if we don’t have access to clean drinking water, we can become dehydrated quickly. In recent decades, we have become more educated on the effects of pollution, but the problem persists. Many surface water and groundwater sources are now polluted from a variety of sources. In this article, we will take a closer look at the source of water pollution, its effects, and how you can deal with the problem.
What is Water Pollution?
This may seem like a question that has an obvious answer because we can see plastic bottles, garbage and other items discarded in rivers, lakes, oceans and more. But, the more accurate answer is a change that has been caused in the physical, biological and chemical properties of a certain body of water. Water pollution is the capacity of the contaminants to cause harm to living organisms (flora and fauna) that are living in the water. When we refer to bodies of water this includes: groundwater, aquifers, oceans, rivers, lakes, streams and reservoirs. This pollution is almost always caused by human activity and it can damage the health of the water.
What are the Causes of Water Pollution?
There are a number of possible causes of water pollution and the exact cause may be different depending on various factors. Let’s take a look at five of the most common causes of water pollution. They are:
1. Wastewater or Sewage
The rapid growth of populations in urban areas is supported by considerable infrastructure. These people need homes, jobs and food from farms that use pesticides and insecticides to make the most of the growing seasons. All of these activities generate waste in a number of forms, including garbage, industrial waste, liquid waste, sewage, agricultural runoff and more. These pollutants may seep into the ground or they may enter surface waterways during rainfall as runoff.
2. Oil Pollution
When most people think about oil pollution they tend to imagine oil tanker accidents, oil spills at sea and beaches covered in oil. Of course, this is a serious problem because the oil slick forms a layer on top of the water which harms the aquatic flora and fauna in the area. The main problem with oil is that it will not dissolve without human intervention and in nature, it will persist indefinitely. But, oil pollution can be a problem in our neighborhoods due to leaking oil tanks, oil released from cars and more. This can seep into the ground to pollute groundwater sources which makes the water impossible to drink safely.
3. Dumping Garbage
A walk in nature can be disheartening if you notice plastic bottles and other garbage floating in our near bodies of water. The main problem with this waste is that it takes a long time to degrade and during that entire time it will harm aquatic life.
4. Industrial Waste
The activities or industrial facilities can generate large quantities of waste. Industrial processes center around materials that are not good for the environment, including mercury, lead, asbestos, petrochemicals, and more. Some disreputable companies discharge this harmful waste into a nearby river or lake which makes an immediate impact on the local area. Other companies may make attempts to remove this waste responsibly, but there is always a risk of runoff during rainfall.
5. Pharmaceuticals
Modern pharmaceuticals are extremely powerful and their effects can persist for a long time. Many people flush unused pharmaceuticals in their toilets which will ultimately damage aquatic life. Even the human waste that contains pharmaceuticals can damage the environment if it’s not disposed of correctly.
How Does Water Pollution Affect the Ecosystem?
Let’s take a look at four ways that water pollution can affect the ecosystem. They are:
1. Waterborne Diseases
The health of the aquatic life in a given body of water can tell us a lot about the health of that water. Just like humans, animals get sick when they drink or swim around in polluted water. These pollutants lower their resistance to waterborne diseases, including cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, and more.
2. Ecosystem Damage
The ecosystem is interconnected and fragile, when one part is damaged, it quickly affects other parts of the same system. Simple changes can have dramatic ramifications and pollution can collapse the health of the water in an area entirely.
3. Eutrophication
When chemical pollutants enter the water they can cause the rapid growth of algae. This is known as an algal bloom which is a thick layer of slime on the surface of the water. This layer creates a barrier between the water underneath and the sunlight and oxygen above. Without access to oxygen and sunlight a “dead zone” is created and the life in the water dies.
4. The Food Chain
The interconnected nature of an ecosystem means that when one organism is affected, it will spread to others. Predators that feed on aquatic life will spread pollution to bigger and better predators up the food chain. Ultimately, this can harm humans if they eat polluted fish, shellfish, and other aquatic life. When we eat them, we are consuming the pollutants and toxins that they have eaten too.
What Can I Do About Water Pollution?
Making a switch to products that are kinder to the environment and following responsible disposal protocols is a great start. Taking care of the neighborhood is easier if you form a group that can support each other and cleaning up areas is helpful. Encouraging recycling is a great way to reduce general pollution which can affect local waterways. Contacting local businesses and finding out about their waste disposal activities can be enlightening. The key to making major changes in education and local groups can be in awareness of the problems threatening waterways.
How Can I Ensure That My Drinking Water is Clean?
If your water comes from a private well you are already solely responsible for the water quality and this is why it’s important to get your water tested annually. Public water suppliers disinfect and clean the water to a basic level, but accidents and contamination can occur. Some pollutants are not removed at all because they are considered to be “emergent contaminants”. The best way to ensure that your drinking water is safe is to install s professional water filtration system at home.