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Oct 23rd, 2020 by Admin

Water Pollution Solutions: 5 Simple Things You Can Do

Water pollution is everywhere. From the groundwater we drink to the surface water from the water bodies, the contamination of water is highly prevalent worldwide. Drinking such impure water can pose several alarming health risks and can weaken our immunity. This is why we have many technologies for water purification. But sometimes, even such purification systems remove the dirt, bacteria and other microbes along with the nutrients. So, what are the water pollution solutions?

Tackling the problem at its roots and preventing water pollution.

Before we explore more about what we can do to control water pollution, let’s get a clear understanding of the different ways through which water gets polluted.

Water Pollution Types

water pollution types

1. Groundwater Pollution

Groundwater is getting polluted due to fertilizers and similar hazardous substances that seep into the soil and the groundwater. This contamination expands to the riverbeds, wells and water in the boreholes extracted by us for consumption.

Consuming this groundwater directly is risky for humans.

2. Nutrient Pollution

Another main issue causing water pollution is fertilizers for the plants’ growth that can cause an imbalance in nature. The plants and other organisms thrive well in the right concentration of nutrients. But when the nutrient percentage increases in water bodies like rivers and lakes, it can cause algal blooming.

This growth of algae blocks the sunlight from entering the water and this poses a severe threat to the life of organisms that depend on oxygen to survive. On the other hand, the anaerobic microorganisms thrive and produce toxins like ammonia that could make the water harmful for all living organisms’ consumption.

3. Surface Water Pollution

The contamination of surface water can happen in many ways:

  1. Accidental oil spills
  2. Emptying hazardous industrial waste into water bodies
  3. Discarded daily waste from homes like plastics that floats on the surface

Due to this contamination, the water quality drops down to a great extent and makes it undrinkable directly.

4. Chemical Pollution

Chemical pollution includes the usage of pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture. But that’s not the only cause. The metals and solvents dumped as waste from industries are also top contributors to water chemical pollution.

Water Pollution Solutions:

water pollution solution

Water pollution is a major issue that’s already creating lots of confusion and problems in many countries. As responsible inhabitants of Earth, it’s our duty to do our part in preventing water pollution, at least as an individual. Here are a few water pollution solutions you can follow:

1. Do Not Dispose of Oils or Harmful Chemicals in the Sink

Many have this habit of pouring cooking oil down the sink when they’re done.

When you pour oil or any toxic chemicals like cleaning chemicals, leftover chemicals from bottles directly into the sink, it seeps into the groundwater and cellar drain and can even contaminate drinking water. Similarly, the heavy metals in some persistent and dangerous chemicals like motor oil can also contribute to polluting the water. This contaminated water can result in harmful pollutants that seep into our everyday life. And this is becoming one of the common reasons for water pollution.

When the oil mixes with water, it imbalances the water properties and makes it hard for consumption. So, the next time you think of dumping that excess oil, grease or fat into the sink, take a step back and put it in the dustbin instead.

Also, we tend to dispose of the old medications and a few synthetic chemicals in the sink or the toilet. This is again a form of chemical water pollution.

Instead, you can approach the local environmental protection agency about hazardous waste collection and dispose of the chemicals properly. Similarly, the pills and medications should be disposed of with solid waste. Use proper disposal practices to dispose of this solid stuff.

2. Reduce the Usage of Plastics

80% of the plastic waste present in the oceans is from the land. This massive amount of plastics getting dumped into the ocean is making our water unfit to drink. Plastic bottles, plastic grocery bags, and other plastic substances can clog storm drains and pollute the water. Also, it causes severe harm to aquatic ecosystems and is the major reason for many sea animals becoming extinct.

So, if we can reduce the usage of plastics in our homes, we can do a small part in saving the water as well as the other aquatic animals. We can start by reusing the plastic items we have in the home instead of disposing of them. The next time you’re planning to buy a plastic item, look for similar alternatives made of wood or any other sustainable material.

You can also opt for biodegradable cleaners or nontoxic cleaners along with organic packaging materials the next time you visit the grocery store. Let’s begin today by cutting down the usage of plastic and making our homes plastic-free soon.

3. Minimize the Usage of Water

One of the biggest contributors to water pollution is the excessive use of water by people. The more water you use, the more waste products you create that can pollute our ecosystem. To avoid this problem, you should be mindful of how much water you use and try to cut down on unnecessary wastage by using efficient appliances.

One way of water conservation is by minimizing its usage in your home or office. You can do this by installing water-efficient showerheads, toilets, and faucets. These devices use less water than their conventional counterparts but still provide the same comfort and convenience.

Now that we know how precious water is, let’s conserve water as much as possible. Here are a few things we can do to save water:

  • Never leave your taps running while brushing your teeth or shaving.
  • Switch off the tap while brushing your teeth and shaving, even if it is only for a few seconds. This will help you save a lot of water every day and over time, you will be able to save hundreds of liters of water without even noticing it.
  • Use rainwater harvesting techniques so that you don’t have to rely on municipal supply alone but also use rainwater from roofs or gutters at home.
  • Only run the dishwasher only when it’s full and don’t use too much detergent when washing clothes.
  • Repair any leaks in your plumbing system as soon as possible. These can be very costly to repair if left for long periods of time.
  • Water sprinklers use a lot of water, especially when you leave them running for long periods of time. If you don’t need them, turn them off or set a timer so they only run when needed.
  • Use a rain barrel to collect rainwater from your roof instead of relying on city water. This can be used for watering plants and lawns or even for flushing toilets.
  • Opt for green agriculture methods when gardening. You can find a lot of green agriculture methods online that can help you to use organic materials for gardening plus save water in the long run.

4. Use a Water-Efficient Toilet

Toilets are one of the major culprits that stand against water conservation. Toilets can use a lot of water — more than most people realize — so replacing an older model with a water-efficient model can save you money each month.

Sometimes, older model toilets tend to consume more water than newer models. So replacing them with pressurized and value-operated newer and more efficient systems would mean better water conservation. You can also retrofit your current toilets with water-saving technology.

5. Don’t Throw Clothes and Tissues in the Toilet

The household items like clothes, dental floss, tissues, wrappers and other papers are usually disposed of in the toilet in many houses as they only think about the waste ending up in the septic tank. While it’s okay to flush the toilet paper as it breaks down easily in water, other such fibrous materials tend to pollute the water and can stay in the water for a very long time.

Never flush harmful substances and other chemicals or small solid items in the toilet. Always think twice before you drop anything into the toilet. There are several small substances that don’t clog the toilet but end up in the ocean and in our water table contributing to water pollution.

Conclusion

Even when we aren’t able to go out of our way and do good for our environment, we can implement such simple yet effective habits in our homes and minimize environmental water pollution.

Are you interested in doing more for our planet?

Join hands with us, the Plastic Collectors! We have our presence all over the world, working to reduce plastic waste and make our world a better place once again. Get in touch with us to know more about how you can be a part of the cause.

 

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