Water is quite susceptible to pollution because it is a solvent and can easily dissolve more substances than any other earth’s liquid. The problem is, water is very easily polluted. There are many substances that can come from cities, factories, and farms. They will easily dissolve and then mix with water, causing pollution.
It’s important to know why water pollution exists in the first place. Talk to a plumber like in Fix-It Right Plumbing and get help whenever you believe your water is polluted.
Also be aware of the following causes of water pollution.
Ground Water Pollution
When rain falls and then seeps into the earth, it turns into groundwater. It is invisible to most people but it is a very important natural resource. About 40% of people in the US rely on it, usually pumped, for drinking water. In some rural areas it is actually the only source of fresh water available.
When groundwater is polluted, it occurs because contaminants, such as fertilizers and pesticides, enter the earth. The big problem is that once groundwater is contaminated, it is very difficult to remove it. It’s also quite an expensive affair. Pollution can spread from groundwater when it reaches oceans, lakes and rivers.
Surface Water Pollution
Surface water covers about 70% of the earth’s surface. It is what fills lakes, rivers, oceans and everything you see. Surface water that comes from freshwater sources carries about 60% of the fresh water that homes in the US have. Unfortunately, many of these natural surface water sources are polluted.
When thinking about water pollution, this is most likely the first thing that comes to mind. Dumping of industrial and municipal waste adds to the toxins that reach surface waters, making matters much worse.
Sea Water Pollution
Very sad to see that about 80% of sea water pollution has its origins on land. Contaminants such as nutrients, heavy metals and chemicals come from factories, cities and farms. Marine debris such as plastic is eventually blown up by the wind and then swept through ditches and waterways.
Also, the oceans absorb about 25% of all human-caused carbon emissions.
Point Source Pollution
If the contamination occurs at a single source, we have point source water pollution. This includes wastewater that is illegally or legally discharged by wastewater treatment facilities, oil refineries, manufacturers, and others.
This also includes contamination from leaking septic systems, illegal dumping, oil slips and chemical slips. Point source pollution is regulated by the EPA.
Nonpoint Source Pollution
This is contamination that comes from multiple sources. They can include storm water runoff, agricultural runoff or debris that enters waterways from the ground. It is a leading cause of US water pollution.
However, it is very difficult to regulate because there is no single identifiable actor.
Transboundary Pollution
It’s impossible to contain water pollution by drawing lines on your map. When we say transboundary pollution, we are referring to contaminated water that originates in one country and then spills over into other countries.
These can stem from different situations, such as natural or chemical disasters. Even municipal disposal can cause transboundary water pollution.
