Water Pollution and Its Solution
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This document discusses various sources of storm water pollution and provides recommendations to reduce pollution entering waterways. It notes that storm water is not treated and carries many harmful materials directly into streams, lakes, and oceans. Some major pollutants identified are soil, fertilizers, pesticides, motor oil, and pet waste. The document then provides tips in areas such as limiting fertilizer use, preventing erosion, integrated pest management, proper yard trimmings disposal, cleaning up after pets, reducing driveway runoff, maintaining streamside buffers, proper waste disposal, and reducing household hazardous wastes. The overall message is that small individual actions can help improve water quality when adopted widely.
Water Pollution and Its Solution
- 1. Water Pollution? SOLUTION lies with our attitude in day-to-day workings Author: Partha Das Sharma, E.mail: sharmapd1@gmail.com Website: http://saferenvironment.wordpress.com 1
- 2. Storm Water pollution Storm water pollution refers to many types of harmful materials that are carried by water (rain water or wash water) through the storm drain system to creeks, lakes, rivers and ultimately to the ocean. Storm water is not treated in any way. Storm water pollution has many sources. One of the most common is the illegal dumping or spilling of wastes directly into storm drains, like pouring used motor oil or paint directly into a storm drain. 2
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- 4. Storm Drain Storm drains deliver surface water run-off directly to a stream Major Pollutants: Soil Grass clippings Fertilizers and Pesticides Litter Motor oil/ Auto Fluids Pet waste 4
- 5. Fertilizer Limiting fertilizer use will avoid nutrient overload in streams. · Plant vegetation native to our area. These are suited to the soil type, slope, available sunlight, and climate. · Prior to fertilizing, test soil to determine what nutrients soil may need. · Mow lawn 1/3 of the total grass height only, mow when dry- with sharp mower blades, and leave the clippings on the lawn. · During summer months, cut grass higher to help retain soil moisture. 5
- 6. Erosion Sediment (clay, silt) is the #1 source of water pollution. Bare soil easily washes into storm drains and streams, clouding the water and suffocating aquatic life. • Never leave soil exposed! Place straw over newly seeded areas. • Cover your garden during winter months. • Sod, seed, grow plants, or build terraces on slopes. • Rock gardens can also be effective for slowing the flow of water and minimizing erosion. 6
- 7. Pest Management If a bug is killed in the lawn by pest, it may kill fish in the stream also. Use pesticides sparingly by practicing “integrated pest management.” 1. PLAN FOR A HEALTHY LANDSCAPE 2. GET TO KNOW YOUR BUGS! 3. PHYSICAL/ BIO. CONTROLS 4. USE CHEMICALS SPARINGLY AND ONLY WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS! 7
- 8. Yard Trimmings Yard trimmings should not be put in a stream. Instead, compost trimmings or take them to a local composting program. • Chop or shred waste into small pieces. • Add equal amounts of a carbon source (dried material) to a nitrogen source (green plant material). • Turn the pile regularly and maintain slight moisture. 8
- 9. Pets Scientists believe that fecal matter from pets is a major source of bacteria in urban waterways. • Flush fecal material down the toilet or wrap it up and place it in the trash. • Restrict pets from streamside area. • Control fleas with minimal pesticide use. 9
- 10. Driveway Reduce contaminant run-off from your driveway! • Do not wash oils or other spills down the storm drain! • Wash your car at a designated car wash or (at least) wash with a low-phosphate soap in an area where the water will soak into the ground. NEW CONSTRUCTION: Use bricks with sand, stones, or paving blocks instead of impermeable pavement. 10
- 11. Streamside Streams should be kept healthy. Control run-off contamination. • Landscape yard to provide areas where water will soak into the ground. • Leave 25’ buffer strips of thick, native vegetation along streams. • Pick up litter. • Monitor your stream for pollutants and help to determine the source. 11
- 12. Recycling and Waste Disposal Do not allow wastes to enter into a storm drain or stream. Contamination can injure or kill fish and wildlife. • Do not burn or bury trash. • Reuse and recycle everything possible. 12
- 13. House Hazardous Wastes Household Hazardous Wastes (HHW), especially auto fluids, are a common contaminant found in waterways. Never pour products on the ground or down a storm drain. • Have your vehicle serviced at a garage where fluids will be recycled or properly disposed. • If doing it yourself, recycle auto fluids, oil filters, batteries, and tires. 13
- 14. HHW (Cont.) Other examples of HHWs include: Paint products/ fuels/ solvents/ pesticides/ and mercury- containing products. Here’s what you can do: -1st REDUCE: Buy the least hazardous and only the quantity that you will use. -2nd REUSE: Give it to someone to use for its intended purpose. -3rd RECYCLE leftover products whenever possible. 14
- 15. REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE is the most important mantra of present day for Improvement of ENVIRONMENT 15
- 16. Ground Water Contamination 16