All You Need to Know About Water Pollution

Various Causes of Water Pollution

Water pollution can be caused by various activities. Some of which are industrial-related activities, such as sewage treatment, product manufacturing and chemical use. Some can also be caused by floatables, such as garbage or objects from shipwrecks.

• The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences: Water Pollution - Provides an overview of what water pollution is.

• Global Virtual Classroom: Water Pollution - Enumerates the various types of water pollution and discusses the possible causes of water pollution.

• Young People's Trust for the Environment: Pollution - Also discusses the types of water pollution, but the discussion is primarily on the major causes of water contamination.

• Chemistry in Pollution: Land and Water Pollution - Explains the connection between land and water pollution, and their causes.

• Food Empowerment Project: Pollution (Water, Air, Chemicals) - Talks about the major causes of water and air pollution.

• Environmental Pollution Centers: Water Pollution Causes - Categorizes the main causes of water pollution.

• Different Types of Water Pollutants - Detailed explanation of the possible causes of water pollution.

• Water Pollution: Science Behind Water Pollution - Discusses the cause and effect of pollution.

• OARS: Water Pollution - Another resource that primarily focuses on nutrient pollution in waters.

• Sources of Water Pollution - Commonly asked questions about water pollution.

• PEW Environment Group: Pew Report Describes Water Pollution Caused by U.S. Poultry Production - A report on how US poultry production could cause water pollution.

Effects of Water Pollution on the People and the Environment

Water pollution presents detrimental effects on the people and the environment. For example, due to water pollution, several aquatic species die. As a result, the cycle established in the ecosystem could soon be compromised. Organisms, including humans, would then have to search for other means to acquire safe water.

• Safe Drinking Water Foundation: Water Pollution [PDF] - Provides a comprehensive definition of water pollution and its impacts.

• Community For A Clean Watershed: What is Storm Water Pollution? - Mainly about the protection of watersheds, but focuses on water pollution as well.

• Kids Ecology Corps: Water Pollution - Intended for kids and discusses major points about water pollution.

• ThinkQuest: Water Pollution - Provides an overview on water pollution and some files that contain valuable information like the causes and effects of pollution, and some solutions on how to control and/or mitigate pollution.

• Drexel University: Water Pollution - Provides a scientific explanation on the possible effects of water contamination to the ecosystems dependent on the contaminated body of water.

• Beach Closings: Science Versus Public Perception - Topic is primarily on beach pollution, and the laws that are supposed to protect bodies of water from water pollution and contamination.

• Water Pollution - Contains water pollution-related statistics and information.

• International Atomic Energy Agency: World Water Needs - Presents some facts about water and some valuable statistics.

• Pacific Environment: Water Pollution - Contains information about the current status of China's waters.

• Environmental Pollution Centers: Water Pollution Diseases - Discusses the possible detrimental effects of water pollution on human health.

• Health Effects of Water Pollution - An article on how water pollution can cause diseases and death to people. 

• Mercury Contamination of Aquatic Ecosystems - Presents a specific case of chemical contamination to a particular body of water.

How is Water Cleaned for Human Use?

Water purification is the process by which contaminated water can be reused as drinking water. Various substances, such as bacteria, solids, minerals, and pollutants, are removed during the water purification process. The water purification process could involve any of the following methods: pre-chlorination, coagulation, aeration, filtration, etc.

• The Water Pollution Guide   - Provides useful information about water pollution and how water treatment works.

• Natural Resources Defense Council: Safe Drinking Water Act -Talks about how to make the water safer using simple solutions.

• Water Management On-Reserve [PDF]- Enumerates some ways to purify water.

• Home Water Treatment Devices - Contains information on how to choose a water treatment device for your home.

• Zero Waste: Water Treatment - A comprehensive guide on water treatment device.

• Safe Drinking Water is Essential - Discusses the various methods of how to clean water for drinking.

• Drinking Water Treatment - General facts, mostly on drinking water.

Role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Keeping Water Safe and Clean for the People

The Environmental Protection Agency was established to ensure that drinking waters are safe enough to maintain human health and the balance established in the ecosystem. EPA is also responsible for the implementation of the laws that protect the water habitats from contamination.

• U.S. Geological Survey: A Primer on Water Quality - Primarily discusses water quality issues, some guidelines and the role of EPA in keeping the water clean. 
  

• The US Environmental Protection Agency: Protecting Water Quality From Urban Runoff [PDF] - EPA talks mainly about urban runoff, how it affects the environment and how we could control it. 
  

• The National Academies: Water Pollution Reduction - Presents reports on the actions taken by EPA to reduce water pollution.

• Standards and Regulations for Bottled Water - Briefly discusses the role of the EPA in keeping water safe and clean.

What We Can Do to Help Keep Water Safe and Clean

Whenever possible, it is important to use environmentally-friendly products so that the water won't be contaminated by unsafe chemicals. Secondly, it would be helpful if the banks of rivers could be provided with vegetation. In that way, storm water could be purified by plants before it would be discharged to the nearest river bank. For more tips and information, please refer to the sources provided below:

• Clean Water - Our Precious Resource: Water Pollution - Mentions simple things that an individual can do to prevent water pollution.

• What's Up With Our Nation's Waters? [PDF] - Provides helpful tips on what an individual can do to help clean the waters.

• Prevent Water Pollution: Clean Up After Your Dog - Presents simple ways to prevent water pollution.

• The Issues: Water Pollution - Includes discussions on water pollution causes and effects, and how to mitigate contamination.

• Water Quality: Pollution and Prevention - Talks about the impact of pollution to the environment and the people. It also presents some solutions on how to mitigate pollution in waters.

• International Environmental Law Research Center: Water Act, 1974 [PDF] - Law on protecting bodies of water. It also contains information on how to mitigate water pollution.

• What is the Clean Water Program About? - Promotes proper disposal of rain water. 

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