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Water Pollution Article
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Sources of Water Pollution
from:Water pollution has many devastating effects on the environment and the ecosystems. There are many sources of water pollution. Water pollution is divided into two different categories that determine where the source of the pollution is coming from. Direct sources are caused by factories, refineries, and wastes treatment plants among others. These contaminants enter the water systems directly from the given source. The other type of water pollution source is an in-direct source. In-direct water pollution is a result of pollution entering the water supply as a result of run off from rains and atmospheric sources. Anything that ends up on the ground can end up in the water supply. Contaminants such as fertilizers and pesticides can be run off from the ground into nearby streams, rivers and lakes as one of the in-direct sources of water pollution. The many different sources of water pollution are further classified as being organic, inorganic, radioactive and acidic or basal.
One of the most wide spread and damaging sources of water pollution comes from massive farms and feedlots. These feedlots raise chicken, pigs and cattle by the hundreds of thousands in a relatively small amount of space. These animals produce an enormous amount of waste that must be dealt with. Much of the waste matter is absorbed into the soil where it can affect the groundwater. It also washes away during rainy times and the run off travels to nearby streams, rivers and lakes and pollutes that water system. Animal wastes and manure contain a very high amount of nitrates and phosphorus which is extremely harmful to humans. Excessive amount of nitrates in drinking water have even been linked to what is referred to as “blue baby syndrome” which causes the death of infants. Another one of the troubling sources of water pollution is industrial companies such as power plants and commercial establishments. Efforts are now being made to improve the way that wastes are disposed of and reduce the amount of harmful bacteria that is being released into the water supplies.
Additional sources of water pollution are leaky sewage systems that are old and worn out and incapable of containing the amount of toxins that flow through them. Individual homes also contribute to water pollution as a result of runoff from household cleaners, chemicals, fertilizers and pesticides. Gasoline, antifreeze, oil and pet feces are additional sources of water pollution. Steps must be taken to ensure that these types of chemicals and waste materials are disposed of properly and to prevent them from entering into the water supply and causing more pollution.
Water Pollution News
Sacramento County sues Aerojet, Boeing over pollution (The Sacramento Bee)
Sacramento County filed a lawsuit Wednesday in federal court against Aerojet-General Corp. and the Boeing Co. over water contamination. The county alleges that years of pollution by Aerojet and McDonnell-Douglas – which has since been purchased by Boeing – led to groundwater contamination in a large portion of eastern Sacramento County.
Read more...After EPA warning of pollution risk, Nelsonville moves to protect wells (The Athens News)
The city of Nelsonville is taking steps to protect its drinking-water wellfields after passing a resolution earlier this month to set up a committee to look into the issue. The measure provided for the creation of a wellhead protection team to prepare a wellhead protection plan for the city. A release from City Manager Joseph Scherer said the plan will work to educate residents who live within ...
Read more...River study: water quality drops, WHS students say (Wilton Bulletin)
The water quality of the Norwalk River continues to deteriorate due to pollution and overexploitation and the problem needs to be fixed soon, declare Wilton High School students who assisted professional environmentalists in a recent study.
Read more...Repair works to fix water pipes to 42,000 houses in city (The Times of India)
Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) has identified and initiated steps to plug the leaks in five zones in the city, in an effort to save water.
Read more...Funds awarded for water infrastructure projects (Kern Valley Sun)
In a move that stands to create jobs, boost local economies, improve aging water and wastewater infrastructure and protect human health and the environment for the people in the State of California, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $440 million to California. This new infusion of money provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will help the state ...
Read more...Aquculture dealt with water quality, invasive species (AG Weekly)
TWIN FALLS, Idaho - Water supply remained the No. 1 issue aquaculture producers were talking about in 2008. Despite a better-than-expected water supply in the Snake River system, spring flows continue to decline.
Read more...Sewage scheme helps protect Spey (BBC News)
Scottish Water says the new sewage plant for Newtonmore will help to protect the River Spey from pollution.
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