Water

Water Resource Plan Freshwater Resources Paper

Teddy A. Evans

SCI/275

December 11, 2011

Gina Rappucci

Water pollution is one of the most infectious ways of polluting our environment. Water pollution has caused many problems in our community when it comes to the purity of the water. Water pollution is caused by many things from humans to boats that harbor our waters daily. There are many types of pollutants that can cause contamination to our water. Things such as arsenic, lead, mercury, and microbial pathogens. I will give a brief description as to how these things are some of the pollutants in our water.

Arsenic is a semi-metal element in the periodic table. It is odorless and tasteless. It enters drinking water supplies from natural deposits in the earth or from agricultural and industrial practices. Arsenic has been known to cause cancer of the bladder liver, lungs, and skin. Lead is rarely found in water but it can enter the water through the old corroded plumbing materials. Those exposed to lead in water can eventually be subjected to kidney problems or high blood pressure.(1)

Mercury is released to surface waters from rocks and soils and from industrial activities and wastewater treatment facilities. An indirect but significant source is the deposition of mercury emissions from power plants in rain to water surfaces and to soils. Microbial pathogens come from fecal matter from sewage drains as well as leaking septic tanks and Runoff from animal feedlots into bodies of water. (1)

In an effort to maintain and sustain this problem there are several steps we can take to ensure we keep or water safe from pollution. Methods of maintain safer water and minimizing water pollution would be to make sure that are water is disinfected with proper chemicals to help combat areas where microbial pathogens are present. Having and arranging meetings for our residents at least once a month to get them involved in...