Simple daily habit changes that will help prevent water pollution, Online waterways advice
Changes that will Help Prevent Water Pollution
17 Dec 2021
Our waterways are some of the most important natural resources we have. Not only do they provide us with necessary drinking water, but they also play a vital role in the overall health of our environment. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize how important it is to keep our waterways clean, and as a result, they often pollute them without realizing it.
There are many ways you can help prevent water pollution, but one of the simplest is by making some small changes to your daily routine. Here are a few easy things you can do to help keep our waterways clean.
Avoid washing harsh chemicals down the drain
Chlorine and bleach are common household chemicals responsible for killing bacteria in water, but once these harsh chemicals reach the water supply they can become a major pollutant. When chlorine is able to reach waterways, it is known as a severely toxic contaminant that may be carcinogenic with long-term exposure. It has been shown that even low levels of chlorinated water have caused mutations in animal tissues. A study conducted by Harvard reports that prolonged exposure is linked to bladder cancer, giving further support to one of the water pollutions facts that about 80% of the world’s wastewater is released to the environment without adequate treatment. Bleach is another culprit which strips away the natural protective slime from fish and other aquatic organisms, making them more vulnerable to disease and harmful parasites. In order to avoid this pollution, make sure you only use chlorine or bleach when necessary!
Ditch bottled water and plastics
It is no secret that the production of plastic water bottles is incredibly harmful to the environment. Ditching plastic bottled water helps minimize water pollution at the industrial and domestic levels. In order to produce just one liter of bottled water, 1.5 liters of oil is used and up to three liters of water is wasted in the making process. Not only does this create mountains of plastic waste, but it also releases harmful chemicals into the air during production. By opting for a reusable water bottle instead, you can help reduce your carbon footprint and keep plastic out of your waterways.
It’s not just plastic bottles that you should avoid using. Basically, all types of plastic are harmful to the environment. They are also the most common types of trash found in our oceans and waterways.
It can take up to 1,000 years for a plastic bottle to decompose, and even longer for other types of plastic. So try to avoid using disposable plastics as much as possible. Instead, bring your own reusable water bottle or shopping bag with you when you go out.
Reduce your meat intake
Many of us may not know it, but meat production is one of the leading causes of water pollution. Livestock farming accounts for massive amounts of manure, which when improperly handled or stored can leak into groundwater or surface water supplies. Manure contains high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, which can cause major water pollution problems when they enter into waterways. In order to reduce your impact, try reducing the amount of meat you eat or choose meat from sustainable sources.
Be mindful of what you flush
In addition to helping prevent water pollution, the EPA also recommends limiting your flushing of pharmaceuticals and personal care products. Medications that are flushed down the toilet or washed into storm drains can be harmful to marine life in waterways. To help keep these chemicals out of local waterways, consider making a non-profit donation of prescriptions or work with your doctor to find alternative forms of medication.
Dispose batteries properly
One of the most common ways to prevent water pollution is to recycle batteries properly. Batteries are made of many metals, each with a different chemical composition. These chemicals can be harmful when released into the environment, destroying natural habitats and endangering plant and animal life. The chemicals in old batteries can also seep into groundwater supplies, which people use to drink. Therefore, recycling your old batteries means less water pollution caused by that one small act!
One way to do this is through Call2Recycle, an organization in Niagara Falls which helps Niagara Falls residents properly dispose of their batteries (for example alkaline, button cell). Simply drop off your used battery at any participating location – there’s even a kiosk at Central Terminal in downtown Niagara Falls – and they’ll take care of the rest!
Help Prevent Water Pollution Summary
As you can see, there are many ways you can help prevent water pollution without making a huge effort. Just by making some small changes to your daily routine, you can make a big difference in preserving our planet’s precious water resources. So let’s all do our part and work together to keep our waterways clean!
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