Running head: ENVIORMENTAL POLLUTION AND WATER QUALITY

Environmental Pollution and Its Effect on Water Quality

Darci Adams
Boise State University

ENVIORMENTAL POLLUTION AND WATER QUALITY

Environmental Pollution and Its Effect on Water Quality

Over the past 40 years water accessibility has plummeted and water quality is at a
constant brink of detrimental contamination. Studies have shown that the natural process of
sedimentation, that once took 25 years to complete, now will take over 1, 500 years due to the
exorbitant amount of pollutants that are found in water (SDWF). The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) states that over 90% of water contamination is anthropogenic meaning caused by
humans (EPA). This essay will focus on environmental and air pollutants entering the water
source and its impact on water quality from a global perspective.

The Safe Drinking Water Foundation (SDWF) categorizes pollutants into two categories,
point sources and non-point sources. Point Sources include factories, wastewater treatment
facilities, human waste, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, lawn mowers, and improper burns among
others. Non-point sources are harder to identify because they cant be traced back to one
particular source . Non-point sources include fertilizer, pesticides, chemicals and animal wastes
from farms, fields, construction sites and mines (SDWF). The EPA suggests a variance in their
list but ultimately they both reflect the same toxins (EPA). While some of these leave a large
portion of waste that physically contaminates the soil, all of them release hazardous toxins into
the air that penetrate the ozone and eventually settle in the water source (EPA1). These pollutants
may not sound like a significant source in creating water pollution but according SDWF just
one drop of many household chemicals can render large amounts of water undrinkable; for
example, one drop of 2,4-D (a common household herbicide) can make 10 million liters of water

ENVIORMENTAL POLLUTION AND WATER QUALITY

unfit for drinking (SDWF). So not only are the physical traces of pollution breaking down over
time and entering our water system but the air and water is being compromised as well.
The EPA states that airborne pollutants from human and natural sources can deposit
back onto land and water bodies, sometimes at great distances from the source, and can be an
important contributor to declining water quality (EPA1). Where do these contaminates go?
Take a look at the image below:

Image Credit: EPA1

Once the toxin is released the pollutants can be carried away by the wind to other
locations. Factors such as weather, the terrain and the physical/chemical properties of a pollutant
determine how far it is carried and where it will land. Some pollutants may remain airborne and
cause air pollution problems far from their original source. Other pollutants that are released into
the air can be deposited onto land and bodies of water through precipitation or by settling onto
land or in the water. Even toxic pollutants that end up on dry land eventually seep into a water

ENVIORMENTAL POLLUTION AND WATER QUALITY

source. Some toxic air pollutants are of more concern because they degrade very slowly or not at
all, as in the case of metals such as mercury or lead; leading to contamination of fish and other
wildlife.

While clean water may seem like a feat only for third world countries, the truth is that it
impacts us all greatly. Water pollution is a global issue. Only 1% of the earths water source can
be used for drinking water (SDWF). This leaves a very small amount of water available for
consumption. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that approximately 1.1 billion
people do not have access to safe water and 2.4 billion people lack basic sanitation (WHO). All
pollution, whether polluted by industry, agriculture or households, returns back, eventually to the
environment and has a grave impact on water quality.

Often times when we throw something in the garbage, or flush the toilet, we tend to
forget about it. We do not always realize how we are contributing to water pollution. It seems
easier to point the finger at point sources and non-point sources than hold ourselves accountable.
However, there are things that you can do. Since the United States is the leading consumer of
water and North America has the highest pollution rate, Americans can have a dramatic impact
on pollution control. Conserving water, keeping the gutters clean (they all lead to the oceans),
use natural cleaners and environmental friendly fertilizers and pesticides is an easy way to have a
positive impact. To help combat point source pollutants you can lobby your state legislation for a
change and become an activist for clean air, clean water and the environment. A local impact in
preventing water pollution is a global impact.

ENVIORMENTAL POLLUTION AND WATER QUALITY

Works Cited

EPA, Environmental Protection Agency (June 21, 2012)

Retrieved: (http://www.epa.gov/oar/toxicair/newtoxics.html

EPA1, Environmental Protection Agency (August 19, 2011).

Retrieved: (http://www.epa.gov/airquality/takingtoxics/p1.html#4

SDWF, Safe Drinking Water Foundation (2009).

Retrieved: http://www.safewater.org/PDFS/resourcesknowthefacts/WaterPollution.pdf

WHO, World Health Organization (June 4, 2014).

Retrieved: http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/en/