How To Prevent Water Pollution: An Urgency
Wave Tribe
The idea of water pollution can be scarier when we let it go severe. Earth will suffer, and so will every form of species.
Published by Wave Tribe
Drinking is the primary use of water for all types of living things on earth.
Water is a necessity that humans cannot live without. Not only do we consume water to maintain a functioning and healthy body, but we also use water for sanitary purposes to physically wash and clean ourselves. About 70% of the earth is water, which explains why it is one of our most significant resources. When we were young, we learned about water conservation and even how to prevent water pollution. Water is an essential element for both industrial and domestic purposes, the reason why we were taught about the importance of having it in our daily lives.
One of the biggest threats that make a large portion of Earth’s water unsafe is water pollution.
One scenario is that raw sewage is dumped into the same water that people drink and bathe in. Developed countries are no exception as water pollution affects human and environmental health. As our most valuable resource, we must safeguard the water sources we have by learning to give importance to every drop.
Some factories dump waste directly to
our waters.
Indeed, it’s scary and sad to think that a significant percentage of the world’s population still lives in poverty. Many people worldwide struggle to access something as essential as clean water that they can drink and bathe in, while many of those living in developed nations are overlooking the seriousness of water pollution’s effects that destroy Earth. Not only that, because they also have yet to acknowledge the responsibility they owe.
Here's what you can find in this article:
What is Water Pollution?
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reiterates that polluted water’s composition is changed to the extent that it is unusable. In other words, polluted water is toxic water that humans won’t want to consume or use for daily life purposes such as agriculture and house chores. Contaminated water is nothing less dangerous than other threats that pose risks to Earth; it causes diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, typhoid, and poliomyelitis that bring 500,000 deaths globally per year.
The primary water pollutants include bacteria, viruses, parasites, fertilizers, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, nitrates, phosphates, plastics, fecal waste, and even radioactive substances. What makes them even more dangerous is that they are invisible contaminants and would not affect water’s appearance that shows it’s unsafe. That is the reason why small amounts of water and aquatic organisms are tested to determine water quality.
Water pollution is the abuse of lakes, ponds, oceans, rivers, reservoirs, etc. Pollution of water usually occurs when the content or substances present in it negatively modify the water.
Effects of Water Pollution
Disruption of the food chain
It might seem negligible when we’re talking about microscopic pollution of a body of water as massive as the Pacific Ocean. But what we don’t know is that these tiny contaminants such as microplastics, chemicals, and heavy metals can be ingested by microorganisms and harm their inner organs. These microorganisms will then be consumed by more giant marine animals, allowing pollution to gradually work its way up the food chain. It’s feasible for the contaminants to wipe out a link altogether at some point or else reach the top of the pyramid by compromising human health.
Plastic wastes are pervasive since most of the products are packed in them.
Destruction of aquatic species
Numerous plants and animal species live in water bodies and therefore depend upon these for survival. Beyond their control is a danger that makes them susceptible to water pollution.The 2010 Deep Horizon oil spill, for instance, adversely affected thousands of turtles and marine mammals. Not only water pollution, because other forms of pollution can destroy the balanced ecosystems and habitats of water-dwelling organisms, wiping out entire species altogether.
Sea creatures are the ones suffering the consequences of throwing wastes to waters.
Drinking water supplies
Over a quarter of Earth’s population does not have easy access to safe and clean drinking water. This is an effect of contaminating the sources from which we draw our drinking water supplies over the centuries. What is more problematic is that even developed countries are facing the problem of unclean drinking water. In 2014, the town of Flint in Michigan, USA, saw dangerous levels of lead infiltrate in its supplies, which caused the exposure to over a hundred thousand people and the death of twelve.
Contaminated water may lead to various illnesses and complications to consumers.
Water Pollution Solutions to Protect Earth
Plastic Waste Reduction
We all know that tons and tons of our plastic waste go straight into the oceans and other water bodies, and as an effect, all of these degrade the quality of water while killing marine life. At least 8 million tons of plastic end up in our oceans every year. With this massive number, it is a challenge for us to reduce it and ensure that our oceans’ condition will not worsen even more.
Humans use water bottles and plastic in many different items that are being used daily, including everything from processed food to numerous items found at home. In reducing the use of plastic, it is easy to say to go green. But it requires genuine care and discipline to demonstrate what we preach. It’s recommended to seek standard plastic alternatives such as straws, plastic bottles, and plastic bags. If you’re in a situation where you can’t avoid using any of these, make sure you recycle.
Water Conservation
There are many ways you can find more on how to prevent water pollution, but water conservation is one of the easiest to do by humans and even small children if you teach them enough. It is plausible to focus on water conservation at home or anywhere. There are many ways that you can conserve water daily. For instance, when brushing your teeth, you don’t want your tap water to keep running when not in use.
When taking showers, opt for shorter showers that do not go longer than you require. In your garden, use only the amount of water that your plants need. You can also use the rainwater that you harvested in your rain barrels. Water is an essential yet scarce resource, which is why you must try to lessen your water usage when you can or reuse whatever that you have saved.
Wastewater Treatment
One of the most effective ways to address water pollution is by treating some of the water before reintroducing it into the waterways. This is a noteworthy solution because wastewater treatment facilities can remove nearly all pollutants in wastewater via a chemical, physical, or biological process. Sewage will undergo through several chambers of the facility to decrease its toxicity levels.
The equipment must be in excellent condition for wastewater treatment facilities to work. Existing water treatment sensors are helpful to make sure that the contaminants present are being removed. These sensors include pH sensors, conductivity sensors, and oxidation-reduction potential sensors. This careful process must happen before the water is released back into the environment.
This discharge of pollutants can be direct and indirect. It has been an alarming problem, which can potentially go severe if we remain unknowledgeable on how to prevent water pollution. It can lead Earth on a path of destruction.
— Derek Dodds, Wave Tribe Founder
Final Words
Every drop of water must be given importance. It’s the start of preventing water pollution that we know can help for its depreciation. Due to its effects on human health and the environment, it is vital to prevent water pollution whenever you can with your measures to start to practice at home. As for the environment, clean water is essential to ensure that the entire ocean ecosystem remains relatively healthy.
Here at Wave Tribe, our way of addressing such occurring problems that take a toll on Earth’s condition is to tackle environmental issues with you that we all need to be aware of and solve. We sincerely aim for the best for the oceans, and so we raised the Heal the Oceans Campaign in the pursuit of protecting them. We are also passionate about producing economical surfing products that leave no form of harm to our bodies of water or marine species when in use. This Earth Day is the perfect opportunity to connect with nature and feel what it needs. Every human in this world is in complete control.
Happy Earth Day, everyone! 🌎