water pollution in mexico essay

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The challenges include water scarcity and droughts in major parts of the country, inadequate drinking water quality and wastewater treatment, and inefficient utilities. More than half of Mexican households with access to piped water receive services on an intermittent basis, and Mexico currently has the highest per capita consumption of bottled water worldwide. Now more than ever, lasting access to safe water at home is critical to families in Mexico.

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The water crisis in mexico: challenges and solutions.

• The water situation in Mexico has become an urgent challenge affecting millions of people across the country, from Mexico City to metropolitan and rural areas.
• The scarcity of potable water has become a growing threat that demands immediate attention and effective solutions.
• This article delves into the complexity of this crisis and the measures to address it, from the warnings of academic experts to governmental initiatives and investments in water-related projects.

About the entity

The water crisis in Mexico has become an urgent challenge affecting millions of people in the country. From Mexico City to metropolitan and rural areas, the scarcity of clean water is a growing threat that requires immediate attention and effective solutions. In this article, we will explore the complexity of this crisis and the efforts to address it, from the warnings of academics to government initiatives and investments in water projects.

Mexico City on the brink of the water crisis

Mexico City, with its vast population, is in an alarming situation . According to researchers at the Autonomous University of Mexico (UAM), nearly 43% of its inhabitants lack access to clean water. This crisis has been exacerbated by a 30% increase in consumption during the pandemic and a 40% water loss due to leaks in the network, a result of inadequate infrastructure maintenance.

It is important to note that water scarcity is not limited to the lack of supply but also inadequate regulation of commercial options for water access. Mexico leads the world in per capita bottled water consumption, raising serious concerns about the quality of the water consumed by its citizens.

Senator Monreal warns of the 2024 crisis

This call to action by the senator is not mere alarmism; it is a call for climate realism. Monreal proposes urgent measures such as desalination of seawater and rainwater harvesting. He also emphasizes that water scarcity is not only a national security issue but also a matter of basic survival and social and political stability.

Mexico seeks solutions through water projects

The Government of Mexico, through the National Water Commission (Conagua) , is taking steps to address this crisis. It will allocate a significant investment of 93.55 billion pesos (approximately 5 billion euros) to fifteen priority water projects. These projects include the construction of dams, aqueducts, and irrigation districts.

The aim of these projects is to tackle drought and water scarcity in various regions of the country. Among the projects are the El Cuchillo II Aqueduct in Nuevo León, the Santa María Dam in Sinaloa, and the Benito Juárez Drinking Water Plant in Tabasco, among others.

Future outlook

The water crisis in Mexico is a complex problem that requires long-term sustainable management, ongoing infrastructure investment, and public awareness of the importance of conserving this vital resource. The international community also plays a crucial role in collaborating to address global water challenges. Overcoming this crisis is essential to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.

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In Mexico City, one of the world’s largest cities, the struggle for water is constant.

Poor planning, urban sprawl and scorching dry weather have strained the water supply.

One key system may soon be unable to provide water.

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Mexico City Has Long Thirsted for Water. The Crisis Is Worsening.

A collision of climate change, urban sprawl and poor infrastructure has pushed Mexico City to the brink of a profound water crisis.

The groundwater is quickly vanishing. A key reservoir got so low that it is no longer used to supply water. Last year was Mexico’s hottest and driest in at least 70 years. And one of the city’s main water systems faces a potential “Day Zero” this summer when levels dip so much that it, too, will no longer provide water.

“We’re suffering because the city is growing immeasurably and it cannot be stopped,” said Gabriel Martínez, 64, who lives in an apartment complex that struggles to get enough water for its roughly 600 residents. “There aren’t enough resources.”

Mexico City, once a water-rich valley that was drained to make way for a vast city, has a metropolitan population of 23 million , among the top 10 largest in the world and up from 15 million in 1990. It is one of several major cities facing severe water shortages, including Cape Town ; São Paulo , Brazil; and Chennai , India. Many are the consequence of years of poor water management compounded by scarce rains.

And while Mexico City’s problems are worsening, they are not new. Some neighborhoods have lacked adequate piped water for years, but today, communities that have never had shortages are suddenly facing them.

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A Current Review of Water Pollutants in American Continent: Trends and Perspectives in Detection, Health Risks, and Treatment Technologies

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Currently, water pollution represents a serious environmental threat, causing an impact not only to fauna and flora but also to human health. Among these pollutants, inorganic and organic pollutants are predominantly important representing high toxicity and persistence and being difficult to treat using current methodologies. For this reason, several research groups are searching for strategies to detect and remedy contaminated water bodies and effluents. Due to the above, a current review of the state of the situation has been carried out. The results obtained show that in the American continent a high diversity of contaminants is present in the water bodies affecting several aspects, in which in some cases, there exists alternatives to realize the remediation of contaminated water. It is concluded that the actual challenge is to establish sanitation measures at the local level based on the specific needs of the geographical area of interest. Therefore, water treatment plants must be designed according to the contaminants present in the water of the region and tailored to the needs of the population of interest.

1. Introduction

Water contamination represents a current crisis in human and environmental health. The presence of contaminants in the water and the lack of basic sanitation hinder the eradication of extreme poverty and diseases in the poorest countries [ 1 ]. For example, water sanitation deficiency is one of the leading causes of mortality in several countries. Due to unsafe water and a lack of sanitation, there are several diseases present in the population [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Therefore, the sixth global objective of the United Nations, foreseen as part of its sustainable development agent 2030, aims to guarantee the availability and sustainable management of water resources. In this sense, numerous research groups have focused on proposing alternative solutions focusing on three fundamental aspects: (a) detection of contaminants present in water for human consumption, (b) assessment of risks to public and environmental health due to the presence of contaminants in the water, and (c) the proposal of water treatment technologies. In the case of the American continent, the detection of contaminants (inorganic and organic) has been studied; the research works show alarming results in which the impact of water pollution is demonstrated, how the ecosystem is being affected, and consequently the repercussion towards human health [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. This last point becomes worrying due to the fact that there are reported cases in which newborns, children, and adults consumed drinking water from various sources (such as rivers, lakes, groundwater, and wells) without the certainty that it is free of contaminants, representing a health risk factor [ 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Some of the detected contaminants have been associated with a potential health risk, such as the case of some disinfectants with cancer [ 12 ] and NO 3 − and NO 2 − as potential carcinogens in the digestive system [ 13 ]. The lack of safe drinking water has been reported in several countries [ 3 , 14 ] since the presence of contaminants in water has demonstrated that actual quality controls are not able to detect or treat pollutants that are present [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ].

In this sense, numerous research groups have focused on proposing alternative solutions focusing on three fundamental aspects: (a) the detection of contaminants present in water for human consumption, (b) assessment of risks to public and environmental health due to the presence of contaminants in the water, and (c) a proposal for water treatment technologies. This communication shows a critical review of the latest published research works. The use of Web Of Science from Clarivate Analytics was used for the bibliographic review. The bibliographic search was carried out in January 2023 using the keywords “public health pollutants/contaminants water” + “name of the American country.” The retrieved articles were filtered considering the following: (i) articles published in the period 2018–2023, (ii) articles carried out based on effluents and bodies of water belonging to the American continent, and (iii) articles that demonstrate the presence and/or treatment of organic (excluding biological contaminants) and inorganic contaminants in water. The selection of these research articles was used to carry out a critical review of the current situation to propose future challenges to achieve efficient, and sustainable water treatment processes.

2. Critical Review: Evaluation of the Current Situation, Perspectives, and Challenges in the Detection of Contaminants, Health Risk Assessment, and Water Treatment Technologies in the American Continent

2.1. detection of contaminants in water.

At present, there are various analytical techniques that have been used in the detection and quantification of inorganic and organic contaminants in aqueous matrices. Mainly, these techniques can be divided into three major groups: chromatographic, spectroscopic, and other techniques, such as electrochemical and colorimetric titration. A comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of the most commonly used analytical techniques is presented in Supplementary Table S1 . From these, techniques that have been used the most are shown below.

In chromatographic techniques, the most reported are gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring (GC-MS/SIM), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight- mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS), high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS), ultra-performance liquid chromatography- electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS), high-performance liquid chromatography-charged aerosol detector (HPLC-CAD), and ion chromatography (IC). In the case of spectroscopic techniques, these include inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), inductively coupled plasma dynamic reaction cell mass spectrometry (ICP-DRC-MS), thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS), high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HR-ICP-MS), particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE), fluorescence spectrometry, inductively coupled optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), and cold vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometry (CVAAS).

From these techniques, it has been possible to determine the concentrations of various pollutants of interest to human health and the environment.

The compilation of information from the latest scientific reports (related to the detection of inorganic contaminants present in the water) is shown in Table 1 and Figure 1 (geographical distribution). On the other hand, the comparison of the detection limits for the limits of interest using different analytical techniques is presented in Supplementary Table S2 . Among them, some works have been carried out based on water bodies in different countries, such as Canada [ 19 ], USA [ 20 , 21 , 22 ], Mexico [ 23 ], and Brazil [ 24 ], in which the presence of As, Fe, U, Zn, Na, K, Ca, Mg, HCO 3 − , and Hg with respect to interactions among water, bedrock mineralogy, and geochemical conditions of the region has been studied, so they can be classified as contamination due to a natural source. A particular case can be analyzed for U, which is present in water bodies of the southwest and west central USA, because high levels of acute exposure can be fatal for the population, and chronic exposure at low levels is associated with health problems, such as renal and cardiac risk. Although, exposure studies of surrounding communities cannot be considered conclusive, they correspond to a great advance in the field, and future studies should be carried out to assess possible damage to human health and the ecosystem.

Geographical distribution of pollutants detected in the American continent in different matrices (water, blood, sediments, biota) in the last 5 years.

On the other hand, research works stand out showing that water pollution can occur due to anthropogenic activities [ 25 ], being evident that modern practices of agriculture and livestock have consequences as the indiscriminate use of fertilizers, pesticides, and hormones results in nitrates in the water, which are associated with a risk of congenital anomalies, such as heart and neural tube defects.

Within the works carried out, one of the most concurrent techniques used in the evaluation of contaminants has been performed via ICP (MS or OES) due to its high precision, low cost, low detection limits, and the advantage of analyzing a large number of elements simultaneously in a short time [ 26 ]. However, in some cases, the detection limits of the technique are above the maximum permissible limits proposed by the WHO (World Health Organization), such is the case of Hg, for which the detection limit is of 0.0025 mg L − 1 and the maximum detection limit recommended by the WHO is 0.002 mg L − 1 . Therefore, it is concluded that one of the challenges to be dealt with for metal detection in water is based in the fact that current techniques must be complemented by advanced analytical techniques, such as electrochemical tests [ 27 ]. These techniques are of great interest for their study due to the benefits they have, such as improvements in detection limits, low operating costs, short analysis times, and mobility, being able to perform analytical determinations in situ [ 27 ]. It is concluded that the contaminants with the greatest presence in the continent are As, U, Pb, Mn, Se, and Hg, mainly related to the mineralogy of the analyzed site and anthropogenic activities in the analysis areas. However, in some cases, the source of contamination is natural and occurs periodically due to seasonal changes, with the rainy season being the period with the greatest presence due to the mobility of metals contained in the rock and soil of the region [ 28 , 29 ]. Moreover, the presence of ions in solution related to the use of fertilizers and agrochemicals in crop fields has also been documented [ 30 ]. It is important to denote that the origin of the contamination source is not accurately concluded, providing a current challenge for the exact determination of the source to propose containment and sanitation actions to solve the problem.

Detection of inorganic pollutants in environmental samples.

Research studies presented in Table 1 demonstrated the potential human health risks that metal presence can have in water bodies, being important to highlight that there is still a need to evaluate the impact that inorganic contaminants have on human health. Furthermore, several research groups in different countries have detected the presence of contaminants not only in the supply sources, such as water bodies, but also in aquatic environments, such as flora and fauna being affected and representing economic importance since certain species can be traded, based on great demand to satisfy local and international markets.

On the other hand, organic contaminants can be divided into several groups; nevertheless, the principal groups are the ones denominated as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). These pollutants have an important impact on the environment and human health. Some examples are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), personal care products, pharmaceutical compounds, pesticides, phenolic compounds, dyes, hormones, sweeteners, surfactants, and others.

Their detection has been primarily necessary to assess the effects that these pollutants have. Most of them are primarily obtained from industrial activities having different uses, such as flame retardants, coolants, cement, and others. Their presence represents an important contribution to water ecotoxicity (Ecuador, Argentina, Mexico) that affects the integrity of the species that inhabit that ecosystem [ 53 , 54 , 55 ].

Important issues have been detected in aquatic environments. The bioaccumulation of several organic compounds, such as polychlorinated biphenyl compounds (PBCs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), in important water bodies, such as Lake Chapala (Mexico), has been reported, through the analysis of samples recollected from water, fish, and sediments from two local seasonal periods. In this case, the fish analyzed were Cyprinus carpio , Oreochromis aureus , and Chirostoma spp., establishing that these chemical substances can reach the lake via industrial activities and strong winds and enter from the Lerma River (Mexico) [ 55 ].

In the study of Ramos et al. (2021), a water analysis was performed in the river and its treated water throughout a year in Minas-Gerais (Brazil). The detection of seventeen phenolic compounds with a single quadrupole gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer equipment (GCMS-QP2010 SE) coupled with a flame ionization detector (FID) was analyzed. From the samples analyzed, only sixteen were detected, being that 3-methylphenol was the only one not detected. In raw water, the detection of 2,3,4-trichlorophenol, 2,4-dimethylphenol, and 4-nitrophenol was found with the most frequency and for treated water, 4-nitrophenol and bisphenol A, establishing that a health risk to the environment and humans was identified with the contamination of these phenolic compounds [ 56 ]. Another study carried out in the St. Lawrence River, Quebec, (Canada), was performed based on an analysis of surface water for the detection of ultraviolet absorbents (UVAs) and industrial antioxidants (IAs). The detection was carried out via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) detecting several groups of UVAs, such as organic UV filters (benzophenone (BP), 2-ethylhexyl salicylate (EHS), 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BP3), 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexylsalicylate (HMS), 2-ethylhexyl 2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate (OC), and ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (EHMC)), aromatic secondary amines (diphenylamine (DPA)), benzotriazole UV stabilizers (2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4,6-di-tert-pentylphenol (UV238), and synthetic phenolic antioxidants (2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (BHT) and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-1,4-benzoquinone (BHTQ)). The field-based tissue-specific bioaccumulation factors (BAF) were analyzed to assess these contaminants in fish tissues (lake sturgeon and northern pike) in which some of the compounds that accumulated in lake sturgeon were BP3, BHT, and UV238. For northern pike, some were BP, BP3, BHT, and BHTQ, establishing an environmental risk assessment in terms of possible adverse effects on fish [ 57 ].

Finally, in the case of PAHs, several compounds have been detected (fluorene, naphthalene, anthracene, chrysene, and others) in different American countries, such as Canada, United States of America, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, and Brazil [ 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 ]. Their presence has been related to anthropogenic activities, such as aluminum smelter or oil production, having a negative impact on health, such as carcinogenic effects.

For this reason, analytical assays must be performed to establish the concentrations of these pollutants using techniques that are capable of studying a complex matrix and if it is possible, in situ. In Table 2 , the description of several studies that were able to detect organic compounds in environmental samples and the technique that was employed are provided.

Detection of organic pollutants in environmental samples.

As it can be appreciated in Table 2 , a variety of organic compounds have been identified as being associated with several disorders and diseases. Nevertheless, most of the studies analyzed correlated its contaminant of interest with previous research that evaluated its potential human health risk effect. For this reason, it is important to detect the contaminant and correlate it with its health impact in the environment (population and biota).

2.2. Presence of Pollutants in Water: Impact on Human Health and Its Possible Sources

The inorganic contaminants with the greatest presence in water bodies correspond to heavy metals. At the moment, the potential damage to health due to heavy metals has been reported as listed below: As(III) (skin damage, circulatory system issues), Cd(II) (kidney damage, carcinogenic, cardiovascular damage, hematological, and skeletal changes), Cr(III) (allergic dermatitis, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting), Cu(II) (gastrointestinal, liver or kidney damage), Pb(II) (kidney damage, reduced neural development, behavioral disorders), Hg(II) (kidney damage, nervous system).

According to the scientific reports analyzed, it is concluded that there are two main risk factors in public health: (i) the intake of contaminated water, being the main factor due to direct exposure to the contaminant, which can produce different anomalies as those described in the previous paragraph. However, the studies presented cannot be considered conclusive, since the reports show that the impact on health is directly related to the clinical history of the exposed population [ 20 ]. (ii) The consumption of contaminated food, such as in the case of the report of da-Silva et al. (2019) [ 24 ], which reported Hg migration in water from the Western Amazon Basin (Amazon Triple Frontier: Brazil, Peru, and Colombia) to fish; being that if they are intended for human consumption, this can cause mercury intoxication (mercurialism). While the intake of contaminated food is the most likely action to occur, there are other special factors that particularly attract attention, such as the report presented by Oliveira et al. (2021) [ 87 ] studying a potential health risk in terms of a cognitive deficit due to soil intake by pre-school children aged 1 to 4 years, which presents high levels of Pb and Cd due to contact with contaminated wastewater from industries in the region of São Paulo (Brazil).

On the other hand, for organic contaminants, data analysis and comparison has been performed in different countries evidencing the necessity of establishing strategies to remediate water pollution ( Figure 1 ). These strategies are urgent, based on the potential risk that these contaminants can have on human health [ 88 , 89 , 90 ]. Although there are currently certain reports, guidance values or standards that allow establishing criteria based on the presence of these contaminants and their potential toxic effect are needed [ 43 , 91 ]. Efforts have been performed to establish international regulations since the majority of organic compounds are not quality controls [ 92 ].

For this reason, several research groups have tried to determine the impact a chemical compound has on human health. For example, atrazine, an artificial herbicide that was detected in surface water, has been associated with an impact on human health and aquatic biota [ 93 ], upon evaluating endocrine-disrupting compounds that can affect human health via cell-based assays [ 94 ]. Moreover, per and polyfluoroalkyl substances have been determined, but there are no reference points that establish a water quality criterion for its impact on human health [ 91 ]. Based on this, there is a need to establish scientific studies in a human population and evaluate the impact of water pollution on its health. Some studies have been performed (see Table 3 ) to correlate the exposure of contaminants in people’s life and if possible, establish the impact that water sources and body contamination have.

Scientific studies on the correlation between a water source and the presence of certain pollutants in a human population.

2.3. Water Treatment Technologies for the Removal of Contaminants in Water: Status and Perspectives

2.3.1. inorganic contaminants.

Taking into consideration the environmental and public health risk represented by effluents and water bodies contaminated with metals, numerous research groups have focused on proposing remediation alternatives, highlighting the adsorption process [ 104 , 105 ], coagulation/flocculation [ 106 ], chemical precipitation [ 107 ], ion exchange [ 108 ], electrochemical treatments [ 109 , 110 ], membrane use (ultrafiltration, osmosis, and nanofiltration) [ 111 , 112 ], and other alternative treatments based on the use of biopolyelectrolytes and coupled adsorption processes with electrochemical regeneration [ 113 , 114 ]. In all cases, the actual challenge consists of evaluating the scale-up process, for which studies have been performed on a small scale under controlled conditions.

Although, scientific reports have demonstrated great efficiencies in the removal of heavy metals, there has been certain problems documented for each technology, which must be addressed to present advanced remediation technologies. For the ion exchange process, it has been documented that those present with low efficiencies for the removal of high concentrations of metals [ 115 ]. For example, Malik et al. (2019) reported removal efficiencies of 55% for Pb and 30–40% for Hg [ 116 ]. In the case of membrane filtration, good removal efficiencies have been reported (around 90% for Cu and Cd) [ 116 ],;however, it requires high installation costs and maintenance [ 117 ]. Likewise, it has been reported that the electrochemical, catalysis, and coagulation/flocculation processes present high metal removal efficiencies (around 85–99% for Cd, Zn, and Mn) [ 118 ]. On the other hand, the main drawbacks are high installation costs and extra operational costs, as well as the generation of unwanted by-products (sludge) [ 119 ]. These drawbacks significantly reduce the effectiveness of water treatment processes, so a second challenge to deal with is process optimization.

Finally, the third challenge is the design of environmentally and economically sustainable treatment processes. The current paradigm of water treatment of metal contamination must be broken; the importance is not only in water sanitation, but also in recovering the metal in order to obtain valuable products and not only change the pollutant phase [ 120 ]. For all the above, adsorption and chemical precipitation have turned out to be the most used methods. However, the removal results obtained depend on each matrix used, so the materials and experimental conditions must be proposed based on the needs and the type of effluent to be treated [ 121 ].

2.3.2. Organic Contaminants

In the previous sections, the detection of these pollutants is only the first step to evaluate the environmental risk that communities and countries have in their respective water sources. The next step is to determine technologies that can establish an efficiency in the removal of these contaminants in a complex matrix without affecting the environment using novel systems [ 122 , 123 , 124 ]. In this regard, an actual challenge is the development of technologies capable of treating specific organic compounds and if it is possible, to use these treatment technologies with the current systems that governments have implemented. Some technologies that have been investigated are the use of continuous flow supercritical water (SCW) for the removal of hormones from the wastewater of a pharmaceutical industry. In their results, the technology was demonstrated to reduce 88.4% of the initial total organic carbon (TOC) value, and the presence in gas phase of H 2 , CH 4 , CO, CO 2 , C 2 H 6 , and C 2 H 4 , which could be used to produce renewable energy. Moreover, phytotoxicity assays demonstrated that there was no risk of the treated samples with respect to the germination of Cucumis sativus seeds [ 125 ]. Another technology that has been used is direct contact membrane distillation, which can be used to treat raw surface water contaminated with phenolic compounds [ 126 ]. In this case, water samples were spiked with 15 phenolic compounds. An important parameter evaluated was the recovery rate (RR) to demonstrate the stability of the direct membrane distillation, being up to a 30%. Pollutant removal reached 94.3 ± 1.9% and 95.0 ± 2.2% for 30% and 70% RR, respectively. A consideration for this technology is to work at a recovery rate in which flux does not decay (RR < 30%) to avoid performing loss and fouling.

Different approaches have been used for the removal of contaminants, such as the use of a photocatalytic paint based on TiO 2 nanoparticles and acrylate-based photopolymer resin for the removal of dyes in different water matrices [ 127 ]. Another strategy was subsurface horizontal flow-constructed wetlands (planted in polyculture and unplanted) as secondary domestic wastewater treatment to demonstrate the removal of personal care and pharmaceutical products [ 128 ].

Considering the above mentioned content, among all technologies evaluated currently to eliminate organic contaminants present in water, Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) stand out, since they generate highly reactive and non-selective radicals capable of almost completely mineralizing the contaminant of interest, generating mainly CO 2 and H 2 O as an oxidation product. In this sense, the most widely studied AOPs correspond to catalytic wet peroxide oxidation, catalytic wet air oxidation, homogeneous catalyst, photo-Fenton, Fenton process, photocatalysis, Fenton-like, electro-Fenton, heterogeneous catalyst, ultrasound, and microwave [ 129 ]. Although the results show the potential use of technologies for water treatment, there are still challenges to address. The current challenge of this technology must be aimed at scaling the process, optimizing operational parameters, and designing a sustainable technology to have a low cost and be environmentally friendly, achieving the lowest generation of by-products. In this sense, two recently published research articles stand out in which AOPs have been evaluated for the treatment of contaminated water effluents in the Latin American region. Mejía-Morales et al. (2020) [ 130 ] presented the use of an AOP based on UV/H 2 O 2 /O 3 for the remediation of residual water from a hospital in Puebla (Mexico), showing the feasibility of its use to remediate effluents contaminated with a high organic load. On the other hand, Zárate-Guzmán et al. (2021) [ 131 ] presented the scale-up of a Fenton and Photo-Fenton process for the treatment of piggery wastewater in Guanajuato (Mexico). The results show that these two AOPs have great application potential for the remediation of effluents contaminated with a high organic load due to their high removal percentages (COD, TOC, and Color) and low operating costs.

3. Conclusions

The presence of contaminants in the water is a severe environmental and public health problem in the American continent. The presence of inorganic (As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Cu, Hg, and U) and organic pollutants (dyes, phenolic compounds, hormones, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals compounds) in effluents and water bodies is due to anthropogenic activities and natural factors in the region. The health risks associated with these contaminants primarily encompass skin damage, carcinogenic effects, nervous system damage, circulatory system issues, kidney damage, gastrointestinal damage, and impacts on the food chain. The critical review of the reports presented in this document identifies the following as the main challenges:

• (i) Implement advanced analytical detection techniques, such as those based on electrochemical tests, to achieve improvements in detection limits, low operating costs, short analysis times, and mobility to perform in situ determinations.
• (ii) Accurately determine the source of contamination in each geographic site of interest to propose containment and sanitation actions to solve the problem.
• (iii) Evaluate water treatment technologies on a large scale and under real conditions to optimize the treatment processes.
• (iv) Design and/or conditioning of specific water treatment plants according to the pollutant of interest in the region. The universal design paradigm of a water treatment plant must be broken; the pertinent modifications must be made according to the needs of the population of interest.
• (v) Design environmentally and economically sustainable treatment processes. Future water treatment processes will need to integrate circular economy concepts to obtain high-quality water and valuable products, such as precious metals, and/or produce biofuels.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the “Secretaria de Innovación, Ciencia y tecnología (SICyT)” and “Consejo Estatal de Ciencia y Tecnología de Jalisco (COECYTJAL)” for the support received through the Convocatoria del fondo de Desarrollo Científico de Jalisco para Atender Retos Sociales “FODECIJAL 2022” (Clave del Proyecto: 10169-2022).

Supplementary Materials

The following supporting information can be downloaded at: https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/ijerph20054499/s1 , Supplementary Table S1: Comparative table of analytical techniques most used for the detection of inorganic contaminants present in water. Supplementary Table S2: Comparison of detection limits in μg L −1 at 3 sigma [ 132 ].

Funding Statement

This research received no external funding.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, A.I.Z.-G. and L.A.R.-C.; Methodology, all authors; Formal analysis, all authors; writing—original draft preparation, all authors; writing—review and editing, all authors. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Data Availability Statement

Conflicts of interest.

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content.

Mexico City is running out of water. Here’s why and how millions of residents are affected

John Yang John Yang

Kaisha Young Kaisha Young

Winston Wilde Winston Wilde

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• Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/mexico-city-is-running-out-of-water-heres-why-and-how-millions-of-residents-are-affected

Mexico City, one of the world's most populous cities, could be just months away from running out of water. It’s a crisis brought on by geography, growth and leaky infrastructure, all compounded by the effects of climate change. Journalist Emily Green joins John Yang to discuss the situation.

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Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors.

Mexico City, one of the world's most populous cities could be just months away from running out of water. It's been brought on by a combination of geography, mushrooming growth, and leaky infrastructure all compounded by the effects of climate change.

Emily Green is a journalist based in Mexico City who's covered the story for NPR. Emily, what's the situation there now? What's daily life like now? For just for you, you live there in Mexico City? Are there restrictions on water use?

Emily Green, Journalist:

There are restrictions on water use. I think it very much depends where you live in the city. And that is maybe like the entire world, you know, if you have more money, and you're going to feel the impact of the water shortage, much less.

That said, I think what's unique right now is that it is being felt city wide. And I'll just use myself as an example. I live in one of the more upscale neighborhoods in Mexico City. And while reporting the story, the water stopped flowing from the top, I'm going to had a sink full of dishes, zero water coming.

For me, it was a little shocking. I haven't had that happen in a while. But that is actually a daily reality for many people in Mexico City.

What are the factors that brought us to this point?

Emily Green:

I would say that there is two major factors. One is extremely old infrastructure in terms of the water pipes. So the city loses around 40 percent of the water recedes because of leaks in the pipes. And that's been a long standing problem.

But on top of that compounding that is climate change. And that is really what's happening right here, you have this very volatile combination of old infrastructure, combined with climate change, which means there have been years of much less rainfall than normal. This is the level of the reservoir that provide the water to Mexico City, the very low. And so that's what's happening now this kind of volatile combination.

And you say that leakage has been a problem for a long time. Has anyone tried to do anything about it?

Oh, yeah, I remember I was here in 2018. And they the city shut off the water supply in order to try and address these leaks. And that was one of the first water stories I did in Mexico City was at that time, but of course, we're still having the same issues. So it doesn't seem that made a huge difference.

You said earlier that people who are better off feel it less than people who may be in need is that because of the resources they have? Or is it the parts of the city that are affected?

Both. I visited one area, it's called (inaudible), it is in the Greater Metropolitan Mexico City. And in this neighborhood, they haven't had running water for two years now. And the running water that they do have, it comes out and it looks dark brown, and it smelled like sewage.

So that is a bug where they're living in the city has a major impact. But I think on top of that, what's happening is that if the water is not coming from the tap, people are buying it from private water tanks. They're having it trucked in on private water tanks. And it's just a fact that that $7 that one spent is going to impact you more or less depending on how much money you have.

So it's a combination of where you live, and also how much money you can afford to spend on trucks, private trucks, bringing in water and paying for that.

What are the potential effects on schools, hospitals, homes, what are the people worrying about?

You know, if you don't have water, you can't flush the toilet, you can't do the dishes, you can't wash clothes. I mean, the list goes on and on. And so, it does have a massive impact. The former chief resilience Officer of Mexico City said that climate change is really the greatest risk to Mexico City. And I think that that is coming to bear right now.

If climate change is the greatest risk, it sounds like there, is there anything anyone can do about this right now?

Yeah, you can use less water. And I think that there can be measures taken to ensure that individuals use less water but also factories use less water. I think also this issue of the old infrastructures is a really serious one. And I think that steps can be taken to improve the inch — the infrastructure. So I would say it's again, it's there's no silver bullet to what's going on right now. The causes are very varied, and the solutions are also going to be buried.

Has anyone said that if nothing changes, if they predicted when taps are just going to run dry in Mexico City?

I mean, that's the talk of the town here is what they called day zero and this is the idea that the taps are essentially going to go on completely dry. The date that's being thrown out there as at the end of June. Most of the experts that I talked to say that's unlikely to happen. The reservoirs that supply a great percentage of Mexico City's water, they're not the only source of water. There's also underground aquifers.

So it's unlikely that the city is going to completely run out of water. But this is a very, very, very serious crisis. And it is not as if we know that next year, there's going to be a huge amount of rainfall. So if this drought continues, I don't even want to imagine where we're going to be in a year or two or three.

Emily Green in Mexico City where they're running out of water. Thank you very much.

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John Yang is the anchor of PBS News Weekend and a correspondent for the PBS News Hour. He covered the first year of the Trump administration and is currently reporting on major national issues from Washington, DC, and across the country.

Kaisha Young is a general assignment producer at PBS News Weekend.

Winston Wilde is a coordinating producer at PBS News Weekend.

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Home — Essay Samples — Environment — Water Pollution — Water Pollution: Causes, Consequences, Solutions

Water Pollution: Causes, Consequences, Solutions

• Categories: Water Pollution

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Published: Jan 30, 2024

Words: 801 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

• United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
• Study published in the journal 'Nature'.
• Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
• World Health Organization (WHO).

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US-Mexico border: 100 billion gallons of toxic sewage creating a 'public health crisis'

Researchers found harmful bacteria, viruses and more in water samples.

The U.S.-Mexico border region faces a public health crisis as billions of gallons of contaminated sewage flow from Mexico into San Diego, California, according to a newly released report .

"South San Diego County is in a total state of emergency related to transboundary pollution, and this is a public health ticking time bomb," Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre told ABC News. "We are living in conditions that nobody in this great nation should be living in."

The Tijuana River – which has been classified as an impaired water body, according to the U.S. Clean Water Act -- flows north for 120 miles from Mexico to California before reaching the Pacific Ocean on the U.S. side of the border in the Imperial Beach, San Ysidro and Coronado coastal areas.

Over the last five years, 100 billion gallons of untreated sewage, industrial waste and urban runoff have been dumped into the Tijuana River, according to the International Boundary and Water Commission .

Tuesday marks the 805th day Imperial Beach has been closed due to the ongoing sewage issue, according to Aguirre, but the health risks are affecting residents far from the shore.

San Diego State University's (SDSU) School of Public Health deemed the cross-border contamination a "public health crisis" and warned that "current regulation and monitoring measures are inadequate," according to the new report, released on Feb. 13.

Untreated sewage pollutants originating in Mexico and not properly treated at the International Wastewater Treatment Plant include human and livestock diseases, pathogens carrying antibiotic-resistant genes, and industrial chemicals not permitted to be discharged in California, according to the report.

Studying soil samples from South San Diego, researchers found levels of the poisonous elements arsenic and cadmium that exceeded Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) thresholds for safety.

MORE: Strange lights off San Diego coast have locals taking to social media

Water samples taken from the Tijuana River and Estuary, located on the U.S.-Mexico border, showed a range of dangerous viruses and bacteria, including HIV, hepatitis B and C, Salmonella, Vibrio, Streptococcus, Listeria, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, according to the report.

The report also cites levels of antibiotic-resistant strains of E. coli and Legionella bacteria found in the contaminated water, "which are of considerable public health concern."

Exposure to the contaminants, viruses and bacteria can impact the health of people who live and work nearby, which include children, seniors, lifeguards, military personnel, border patrol officers and at-risk populations, according to the study.

"Urgent interventions are needed to help reduce and address both the immediate and long-term potential health repercussions to those living near this hazardous environment," Paula Stigler Granados, associate professor in SDSU's School of Public Health and the paper's lead author, told ABC News in a statement.

"The longer we take to stop the contamination, the greater the risk of exposures," Granados noted. "Investment in our infrastructure to stop the pollution is critical."

Toxic chemicals and bacteria – which were once believed to be isolated in the sewage alone – can be dispersed in water and air, especially during weather events, the report reveals.

For example, the California-Mexico border region has been hit recently with heavy rain and flooding caused by back-to-back atmospheric river storms . The resulting greater than usual influx of water can overwhelm California's and Tijuana's sewage treatment plants, researchers say.

MORE: 37 million California residents on flood watch amid back-to-back storms

Doctors Kimberly and Matt Dickson, a married couple who run South Bay Urgent Care in Imperial Beach, told ABC News that amid the February storms they have seen a 200 to 300 percent increase in patients with gastrointestinal illness, with symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea.

"These were people that were in the streets, going to school, but not swimming in the ocean. So, where was the transfer of bacteria and viruses going?" Matt Dickson asked. "How was it getting to these people if they weren't swimming in the ocean?"

The couple says they began to realize that the heavy rains were causing the sewage to spill into the city's streets, spreading illnesses across the community.

"If you're driving down the street that's flooded with sewage water, then you're tracking bacteria back to your home or to the store. Or if kids are walking to school through a flooded street that's got sewage water in it, then they go to class and they touch their shoes, and then they eat their lunch. People are getting sick," Matt Dickson said.

"You don't have to have a medical degree and to understand if there's sewage on the street, people are going to get sick," he noted.

The repeating cycle of rainstorms and illnesses in the community is "flabbergasting" to Kimberly Dickson, who says the cycle can be broken with better infrastructure to help reduce or eliminate the sewage overflow.

MORE: 'Like living in the woods': Southern states battle broken pipes and boil notices

When it comes to the long-term health effects of the sewage problem, Kimberly worries, "It's just the tip of the iceberg. We're missing a lot of it. We don't know the long-term consequences."

In 2020, Congress approved a $300 million fund to expand the International Wastewater Treatment Plant San Ysidro. However, after the devastating infrastructure effects of Hurricane Hilary in August 2023, and the ongoing storms in the area, half of those funds were allocated to deferred maintenance before any type of expansion could happen, according memos obtained by The San Diego Union-Tribune .

Mayor Aguirre and other state politicians, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, have asked Congress for an additional $310 million in federal funds to address the issue, but it has yet to be approved.

"It's challenging to maintain the attention and focus that this emergency needs when we're located 3,000 miles away," Aguirre said of requesting federal intervention from Washington, D.C.

"We also need additional intervention from our state administration. Our governor has advocated for that supplemental funding request, but he has fallen short of declaring a state of emergency," Aguirre added.

In Dec. 2023, the International Boundary and Water Commission announced the Rehabilitation and Expansion Progressive Design-Build project for the International Wastewater Treatment Plant. The project includes essential rehabilitation of existing infrastructure and expansion of the plant, according to the press release .

"We have participated in many public meetings in the affected areas and want to assure residents our priority is improving the health and welfare of communities on both sides of the border," Frank Fisher, Public Affairs Chief for the International Boundary and Water Commission, told ABC News in a statement.

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Domestic sewage

Solid waste, toxic waste, thermal pollution, petroleum (oil) pollution, effects of water pollution on groundwater and oceans, water quality standards.

How does water pollution affect aquatic wildlife?

Is red tide caused by water pollution.

water pollution

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• National Geographic - What Is Water Pollution?
• Frontiers - Effects of Water Pollution on Human Health and Disease Heterogeneity: A Review
• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health - Water Pollution
• Environmental Pollution Centers - What Is Water Pollution?
• National Resources Defense Council - Water Pollution: Everything You Need to Know
• Chemistry LibreTexts - Water Pollution
• water pollution - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
• Table Of Contents

What is water pollution?

Water pollution is the release of substances into bodies of water that makes water unsafe for human use and disrupts aquatic ecosystems. Water pollution can be caused by a plethora of different contaminants, including toxic waste , petroleum , and disease-causing microorganisms .

What human activities cause water pollution?

Human activities that generate domestic sewage and toxic waste cause water pollution by contaminating water with disease-causing microorganisms and poisonous substances. Oil spills are another source of water pollution that have devastating impacts on surrounding ecosystems.

Sewage can promote algae growth, which can eventually result in eutrophic “dead zones” where aquatic life cannot survive because of a lack of oxygen. Microplastics are often found in marine wildlife and can become concentrated in humans who consume seafood because of biomagnification . Oil spills, such as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, strand and kill many different marine species.

While some studies point to human activity as a catalyst for red tide, scientists are unsure about its cause. Red tide is a common term for harmful algal blooms that often poison or kill wildlife and humans who consume contaminated seafood. Red tides can severely impact ecosystems and local economies.

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water pollution , the release of substances into subsurface groundwater or into lakes , streams, rivers , estuaries , and oceans to the point that the substances interfere with beneficial use of the water or with the natural functioning of ecosystems . In addition to the release of substances, such as chemicals , trash, or microorganisms, water pollution may include the release of energy , in the form of radioactivity or heat , into bodies of water.

Types and sources of water pollutants

Water bodies can be polluted by a wide variety of substances, including pathogenic microorganisms, putrescible organic waste, fertilizers and plant nutrients , toxic chemicals, sediments, heat , petroleum (oil), and radioactive substances . Several types of water pollutants are considered below. (For a discussion of the handling of sewage and other forms of waste produced by human activities, see waste disposal and solid-waste management .)

Water pollutants come from either point sources or dispersed sources. A point source is a pipe or channel, such as those used for discharge from an industrial facility or a city sewerage system . A dispersed (or nonpoint) source is a very broad unconfined area from which a variety of pollutants enter the water body, such as the runoff from an agricultural area. Point sources of water pollution are easier to control than dispersed sources, because the contaminated water has been collected and conveyed to one single point where it can be treated. Pollution from dispersed sources is difficult to control, and, despite much progress in the building of modern sewage-treatment plants, dispersed sources continue to cause a large fraction of water pollution problems.

Domestic sewage is the primary source of pathogens ( disease -causing microorganisms) and putrescible organic substances. Because pathogens are excreted in feces , all sewage from cities and towns is likely to contain pathogens of some type, potentially presenting a direct threat to public health . Putrescible organic matter presents a different sort of threat to water quality. As organics are decomposed naturally in the sewage by bacteria and other microorganisms, the dissolved oxygen content of the water is depleted. This endangers the quality of lakes and streams, where high levels of oxygen are required for fish and other aquatic organisms to survive. In addition, domestic sewage commonly contains active pharmaceutical ingredients, which can harm aquatic organisms and may facilitate antibiotic resistance . Sewage-treatment processes reduce the levels of pathogens and organics in wastewater, but they do not eliminate them completely ( see also wastewater treatment ).

Domestic sewage is also a major source of plant nutrients , mainly nitrates and phosphates . Excess nitrates and phosphates in water promote the growth of algae , sometimes causing unusually dense and rapid growths known as algal blooms . When the algae die, oxygen dissolved in the water declines because microorganisms use oxygen to digest algae during the process of decomposition ( see also biochemical oxygen demand ). Anaerobic organisms (organisms that do not require oxygen to live) then metabolize the organic wastes, releasing gases such as methane and hydrogen sulfide , which are harmful to the aerobic (oxygen-requiring) forms of life. The process by which a lake changes from a clean, clear condition—with a relatively low concentration of dissolved nutrients and a balanced aquatic community —to a nutrient-rich, algae-filled state and thence to an oxygen-deficient, waste-filled condition is called eutrophication . Eutrophication is a naturally occurring, slow, and inevitable process. However, when it is accelerated by human activity and water pollution (a phenomenon called cultural eutrophication ), it can lead to the premature aging and death of a body of water.

The improper disposal of solid waste is a major source of water pollution. Solid waste includes garbage, rubbish, electronic waste , trash, and construction and demolition waste, all of which are generated by individual, residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial activities. The problem is especially acute in developing countries that may lack infrastructure to properly dispose of solid waste or that may have inadequate resources or regulation to limit improper disposal. In some places solid waste is intentionally dumped into bodies of water. Land pollution can also become water pollution if the trash or other debris is carried by animals, wind, or rainfall to bodies of water. Significant amounts of solid waste pollution in inland bodies of water can also eventually make their way to the ocean. Solid waste pollution is unsightly and damaging to the health of aquatic ecosystems and can harm wildlife directly. Many solid wastes, such as plastics and electronic waste, break down and leach harmful chemicals into the water, making them a source of toxic or hazardous waste.

Of growing concern for aquatic environments is plastic pollution . Since the ocean is downstream from nearly every terrestrial location, it is the receiving body for much of the plastic waste generated on land. Several million tons of debris end up in the world’s oceans every year, and much of it is improperly discarded plastic litter. Plastic pollution can be broken down by waves and ultraviolet radiation into smaller pieces known as microplastics , which are less than 5 mm (0.2 inch) in length and are not biodegradable. Primary microplastics, such as microbeads in personal care products and plastic fibers in synthetic textiles (e.g., nylon ), also enter the environment directly, through any of various channels—for example, from wastewater treatment systems , from household laundry, or from unintentional spills during manufacturing or transport. Alarmingly, a number of studies of both freshwater and marine locations have found microplastics in every aquatic organism tested. These tiny plastics are suspected of working their way up the marine food chains , from zooplankton and small fish to large marine predators, and have been found in seafood. Microplastics have also been detected in drinking water. Their health effects are unknown.

Waste is considered toxic if it is poisonous , radioactive , explosive , carcinogenic (causing cancer ), mutagenic (causing damage to chromosomes ), teratogenic (causing birth defects), or bioaccumulative (that is, increasing in concentration at the higher ends of food chains). Sources of toxic chemicals include improperly disposed wastewater from industrial plants and chemical process facilities ( lead , mercury , chromium ) as well as surface runoff containing pesticides used on agricultural areas and suburban lawns ( chlordane , dieldrin , heptachlor). (For a more-detailed treatment of toxic chemicals, see poison and toxic waste .)

Sediment (e.g., silt ) resulting from soil erosion or construction activity can be carried into water bodies by surface runoff . Suspended sediment interferes with the penetration of sunlight and upsets the ecological balance of a body of water. Also, it can disrupt the reproductive cycles of fish and other forms of life , and when it settles out of suspension it can smother bottom-dwelling organisms.

Heat is considered to be a water pollutant because it decreases the capacity of water to hold dissolved oxygen in solution, and it increases the rate of metabolism of fish. Valuable species of game fish (e.g., trout ) cannot survive in water with very low levels of dissolved oxygen . A major source of heat is the practice of discharging cooling water from power plants into rivers; the discharged water may be as much as 15 °C (27 °F) warmer than the naturally occurring water. The rise in water temperatures because of global warming can also be considered a form of thermal pollution.

Petroleum ( oil ) pollution occurs when oil from roads and parking lots is carried in surface runoff into water bodies. Accidental oil spills are also a source of oil pollution—as in the devastating spills from the tanker Exxon Valdez (which released more than 260,000 barrels in Alaska’s Prince William Sound in 1989) and from the Deepwater Horizon oil rig (which released more than 4 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico in 2010). Oil slicks eventually move toward shore, harming aquatic life and damaging recreation areas.

Groundwater —water contained in underground geologic formations called aquifers —is a source of drinking water for many people. For example, about half the people in the United States depend on groundwater for their domestic water supply . Although groundwater may appear crystal clear (due to the natural filtration that occurs as it flows slowly through layers of soil ), it may still be polluted by dissolved chemicals and by bacteria and viruses . Sources of chemical contaminants include poorly designed or poorly maintained subsurface sewage-disposal systems (e.g., septic tanks ), industrial wastes disposed of in improperly lined or unlined landfills or lagoons , leachates from unlined municipal refuse landfills, mining and petroleum production, and leaking underground storage tanks below gasoline service stations. In coastal areas, increasing withdrawal of groundwater (due to urbanization and industrialization) can cause saltwater intrusion: as the water table drops, seawater is drawn into wells.

Although estuaries and oceans contain vast volumes of water, their natural capacity to absorb pollutants is limited. Contamination from sewage outfall pipes, from dumping of sludge or other wastes, and from oil spills can harm marine life, especially microscopic phytoplankton that serve as food for larger aquatic organisms. Sometimes, unsightly and dangerous waste materials can be washed back to shore, littering beaches with hazardous debris. In oceans alone, annual pollution from all types of plastics was estimated to be between 4.8 million and 12.7 million tonnes (between 5.3 million and 14 million tons) in the early 21st century, and floating plastic waste had accumulated in Earth’s five subtropical gyres, which cover 40 percent of the world’s oceans.

Another ocean pollution problem is the seasonal formation of “ dead zones” (i.e., hypoxic areas, where dissolved oxygen levels drop so low that most higher forms of aquatic life vanish) in certain coastal areas. The cause is nutrient enrichment from dispersed agricultural runoff and concomitant algal blooms. Dead zones occur worldwide; one of the largest of these (sometimes as large as 22,730 square km [8,776 square miles]) forms annually in the Gulf of Mexico , beginning at the Mississippi River delta.

Although pure water is rarely found in nature (because of the strong tendency of water to dissolve other substances), the characterization of water quality (i.e., clean or polluted) is a function of the intended use of the water. For example, water that is clean enough for swimming and fishing may not be clean enough for drinking and cooking. Water quality standards (limits on the amount of impurities allowed in water intended for a particular use) provide a legal framework for the prevention of water pollution of all types.

There are several types of water quality standards. Stream standards are those that classify streams, rivers , and lakes on the basis of their maximum beneficial use; they set allowable levels of specific substances or qualities (e.g., dissolved oxygen , turbidity, pH) allowed in those bodies of water, based on their given classification. Effluent (water outflow) standards set specific limits on the levels of contaminants (e.g., biochemical oxygen demand , suspended solids, nitrogen ) allowed in the final discharges from wastewater-treatment plants. Drinking-water standards include limits on the levels of specific contaminants allowed in potable water delivered to homes for domestic use. In the United States , the Clean Water Act and its amendments regulate water quality and set minimum standards for waste discharges for each industry as well as regulations for specific problems such as toxic chemicals and oil spills . In the European Union , water quality is governed by the Water Framework Directive, the Drinking Water Directive, and other laws . ( See also wastewater treatment .)

Discharge from a Chinese fertilizer factory winds its way toward the Yellow River. Like many of the world's rivers, pollution remains an ongoing problem.

Water pollution is a rising global crisis. Here’s what you need to know.

The world's freshwater sources receive contaminants from a wide range of sectors, threatening human and wildlife health.

From big pieces of garbage to invisible chemicals, a wide range of pollutants ends up in our planet's lakes, rivers, streams, groundwater, and eventually the oceans. Water pollution—along with drought, inefficiency, and an exploding population—has contributed to a freshwater crisis , threatening the sources we rely on for drinking water and other critical needs.

Research has revealed that one pollutant in particular is more common in our tap water than anyone had previously thought: PFAS, short for poly and perfluoroalkyl substances. PFAS is used to make everyday items resistant to moisture, heat, and stains; some of these chemicals have such long half-lives that they are known as "the forever chemical."

Safeguarding water supplies is important because even though nearly 70 percent of the world is covered by water, only 2.5 percent of it is fresh. And just one percent of freshwater is easily accessible, with much of it trapped in remote glaciers and snowfields.

Water pollution causes

Water pollution can come from a variety of sources. Pollution can enter water directly, through both legal and illegal discharges from factories, for example, or imperfect water treatment plants. Spills and leaks from oil pipelines or hydraulic fracturing (fracking) operations can degrade water supplies. Wind, storms, and littering—especially of plastic waste —can also send debris into waterways.

Thanks largely to decades of regulation and legal action against big polluters, the main cause of U.S. water quality problems is now " nonpoint source pollution ," when pollutants are carried across or through the ground by rain or melted snow. Such runoff can contain fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides from farms and homes; oil and toxic chemicals from roads and industry; sediment; bacteria from livestock; pet waste; and other pollutants .

Finally, drinking water pollution can happen via the pipes themselves if the water is not properly treated, as happened in the case of lead contamination in Flint, Michigan , and other towns. Another drinking water contaminant, arsenic , can come from naturally occurring deposits but also from industrial waste.

Freshwater pollution effects

Water pollution can result in human health problems, poisoned wildlife, and long-term ecosystem damage. When agricultural and industrial runoff floods waterways with excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, these nutrients often fuel algae blooms that then create dead zones , or low-oxygen areas where fish and other aquatic life can no longer thrive.

Algae blooms can create health and economic effects for humans, causing rashes and other ailments, while eroding tourism revenue for popular lake destinations thanks to their unpleasant looks and odors. High levels of nitrates in water from nutrient pollution can also be particularly harmful to infants , interfering with their ability to deliver oxygen to tissues and potentially causing " blue baby syndrome ." The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that 38 percent of the European Union's water bodies are under pressure from agricultural pollution.

Globally, unsanitary water supplies also exact a health toll in the form of disease. At least 2 billion people drink water from sources contaminated by feces, according to the World Health Organization , and that water may transmit dangerous diseases such as cholera and typhoid.

Freshwater pollution solutions

In many countries, regulations have restricted industry and agricultural operations from pouring pollutants into lakes, streams, and rivers, while treatment plants make our drinking water safe to consume. Researchers are working on a variety of other ways to prevent and clean up pollution. National Geographic grantee Africa Flores , for example, has created an artificial intelligence algorithm to better predict when algae blooms will happen. A number of scientists are looking at ways to reduce and cleanup plastic pollution .

There have been setbacks, however. Regulation of pollutants is subject to changing political winds, as has been the case in the United States with the loosening of environmental protections that prevented landowners from polluting the country’s waterways.

Anyone can help protect watersheds by disposing of motor oil, paints, and other toxic products properly , keeping them off pavement and out of the drain. Be careful about what you flush or pour down the sink, as it may find its way into the water. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends using phosphate-free detergents and washing your car at a commercial car wash, which is required to properly dispose of wastewater. Green roofs and rain gardens can be another way for people in built environments to help restore some of the natural filtering that forests and plants usually provide.

Related Topics

• WATER POLLUTION
• ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION
• FRESH WATER
• GROUNDWATER
• WATER QUALITY
• WATER RESOURCES

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Essay on Water Pollution: Samples in 200, 500 Words

• Updated on  
• Mar 23, 2024

Essay on Water Pollution: Water pollution occurs when human activities introduce toxic substances into freshwater ecosystems such as lakes, rivers, oceans, and groundwater, leading to the degradation of water quality. The combination of harmful chemicals with water has a negative impact on these ecosystems. 

Various human actions, particularly those affecting land, water, and underwater surfaces, contribute to this pollution, disrupting the natural supply of clean water and posing a significant danger to all forms of life, including humans.

Table of Contents

• 1 What is Water Pollution?
• 2.1 Contaminants 
• 2.2 Solution 
• 3.1 Reasons for Water Pollution
• 3.2 Methods of Water Pollution Management
• 3.3 Real-Life Encounter

Also Read: Types of Water Pollution

What is Water Pollution?

When many pollutants such as garbage, chemicals, bacteria, household waste, industrial waste, etc get mixed in the water resources and make the water unfit for cooking, drinking, cleaning, etc. it is known as water pollution. Water pollution damages the quality of water. lakes, water streams, rivers, etc may become polluted and eventually they will pollute the oceans. All this will directly or indirectly affect the lives of us humans and the animals deteriorating our health.

Essay on Water Pollution in 200 Words

Water is plentiful on Earth, present both above and beneath its surface. A variety of water bodies, such as rivers, ponds, seas, and oceans, can be found on the planet’s surface. Despite Earth’s ability to naturally replenish its water, we are gradually depleting and mishandling this abundant resource. 

Although water covers 71% of the Earth’s surface and land constitutes the remaining 29%, the rapid expansion of water pollution is impacting both marine life and humans. 

Contaminants 

Water pollution stems significantly from city sewage and industrial waste discharge. Indirect sources of water pollution include contaminants that reach water supplies via soil, groundwater systems, and precipitation. 

Chemical pollutants pose a greater challenge in terms of removal compared to visible impurities, which can be filtered out through physical cleaning. The addition of chemicals alters water’s properties, rendering it unsafe and potentially lethal for consumption.

Solution 

Prioritizing water infrastructure enhancement is vital for sustainable water management, with a focus on water efficiency and conservation. 

Furthermore, rainwater harvesting and reuse serve as effective strategies to curb water pollution. Reclaimed wastewater and collected rainwater alleviate stress on groundwater and other natural water sources. 

Groundwater recharge, which transfers water from surface sources to groundwater, is a well-known approach to mitigate water scarcity. These measures collectively contribute to safeguarding the planet’s water resources for present and future generations.

Here is a list of Major Landforms of the Earth !

Essay on Water Pollution in 500 Words

The term “water pollution” is employed when human or natural factors lead to contamination of bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes, and oceans. Responsible management is now imperative to address this significant environmental concern. The primary sources of water contamination are human-related activities like urbanization, industrialization, deforestation, improper waste disposal, and the establishment of landfills.

Reasons for Water Pollution

The availability of freshwater on our planet is limited, and pollution only increases this scarcity. Every year, a substantial amount of fresh water is lost due to industrial and various other types of pollution. Pollutants encompass visible waste items of varying sizes as well as intangible, hazardous, and lethal compounds.

Numerous factories are situated in proximity to water bodies, utilizing freshwater to transport their waste. This industrial waste carries inherent toxicity, jeopardizing the well-being of both plant and animal life. Individuals living close to polluted water sources frequently suffer from skin problems, respiratory ailments, and occasionally even life-threatening health conditions.

Water contamination is also intensified by urban waste and sewage, adding to the problem. Each household generates considerable waste annually, including plastic, chemicals, wood, and other materials. Inadequate waste disposal methods result in this refusal to infiltrate aquatic ecosystems like rivers, lakes, and streams, leading to pollution.

Methods of Water Pollution Management

Raising awareness about the causes and consequences of water pollution is crucial in significantly reducing its prevalence. Encouraging community or organizational clean-up initiatives on a weekly or monthly basis plays a pivotal role. 

To eradicate water contamination completely, stringent legislation needs to be formulated and diligently enforced. Rigorous oversight would promote accountability, potentially deterring individuals and groups from polluting. Each individual should recognize the impact of their daily actions and take steps to contribute to a better world for generations to come.

Real-Life Encounter

My affection for my town has always been heightened by its abundant lakes, rivers, and forests. During one of my walks alongside the river that flowed through my village, I was struck by the unusual hues swirling within the water. The once-familiar crystal-clear blue had been replaced by a murky brown shade, accompanied by a potent, unpleasant odour. Intrigued, I decided to investigate further, descending to the riverbank for a closer look at the source of the peculiar colours and smells. Upon closer inspection, I observed peculiar foam bubbles floating on the water’s surface.

Suddenly, a commotion behind me caught my attention, and I turned to witness a group of people hastening toward the river. Their frantic shouts and vigorous gestures conveyed their panic, prompting me to realize that a grave situation was unfolding. As the group reached the river, they were confronted with the distressing sight of numerous lifeless fish floating on the water’s surface. 

Following a comprehensive investigation, it was revealed that a local factory had been releasing toxic chemicals into the river, resulting in extensive pollution and the devastation of the ecosystem. This investigation left me stunned and disheartened, acknowledging the significant effort required to restore the river to its own form.

Related Reads:-     

A. Water pollution refers to the contamination of water bodies, such as rivers, lakes, oceans, and groundwater, due to the introduction of harmful substances. These substances can include chemicals, industrial waste, sewage, and pollutants that adversely affect the quality of water, making it unsafe for human consumption and harmful to aquatic life.

A. The primary sources of water pollution include city sewage and industrial waste discharge. Chemical contaminants from factories and agricultural runoff, as well as oil spills and plastic waste, contribute significantly to water pollution. Runoff from paved surfaces and improper waste disposal also play a role in introducing pollutants into water bodies.

A. Water pollution has far-reaching consequences. It poses a threat to aquatic ecosystems by harming marine life, disrupting food chains, and damaging habitats. Additionally, contaminated water can lead to the spread of waterborne diseases among humans. Toxic chemicals in polluted water can cause serious health issues, affecting the skin, and respiratory systems, and even leading to long-term illnesses. 

This brings us to the end of our blog on Essay on Water Pollution. Hope you find this information useful. For more information on such informative topics for your school, visit our  essay writing  and follow  Leverage Edu

Aditi Gupta

A bachelors in Journalism and Mass Communication graduate, I am an enthusiastic writer. I love to write about impactful content which can help others. I love to binge watch and listen to music during my free time.

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Media Contacts: Jerry Slaff , NOAA, 202-236-6662 Hannah Hamilton , USGS, 703-648-4356 Related Features // Essay on Water Pollution for Students and Children 500+ words essay on water pollution. Water is the most important resource for survival on a planet. It is the essence of life on our planet – Earth. Yet if you ever see a river or lake around your city, it would be evident to you that we are facing a very serious problem of Water pollution. Let us educate ourselves about water and water pollution . Two-thirds of the Earth’s surface is covered by water , seventy-six perfect of your body is made up of water. Water and Water Cycle As you already know water is everywhere and all around.  However, we have a fixed amount of water on earth. It just changes its states and goes through a cyclic order, known as the Water Cycle. The water cycle is a natural process that is continuous in nature. It is the pattern in which the water from oceans, seas, lakes, etc gets evaporated and turns to vapor. After which it goes through the process of condensation, and finally precipitation when it falls back to earth as rain or snow. What is Water Pollution? Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies (like oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, aquifers, and groundwater) usually caused due to human activities. Water pollution is any change, minor or major in the physical, chemical or biological properties of water that eventually leads to a detrimental consequence of any living organism . Drinking water, called Potable Water, is considered safe enough for human and animal consumption. Sources of Water Pollution Domestic Waste Industrial effluents Insecticides and pesticides Detergents and Fertilizers Some of the water pollutions are caused by direct Sources, such as factories, waste management facilities, refineries, etc, that directly releases waste and dangerous by-products into the nearest water source without treating them. Indirect sources include pollutants that infuse in the water bodies via groundwater or soil or via the atmosphere through acidic rain. Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas Effects of Pollution of Water The effects of Water Pollution are: Diseases: In humans, drinking or consuming polluted water in any way has many disastrous effects on our health. It causes typhoid, cholera, hepatitis and various other diseases. Eradication of Ecosystem: Ecosystem is extremely dynamic and responds to even small changes in the environment. Increasing water pollution can cause an entire ecosystem to collapse if left unchecked. Eutrophication: Chemicals accumulation and infusion in a water body, encourages the growth of algae. The algae form a layer on top of the pond or lake. Bacteria feed on this algae and this event decreases the amount of oxygen in the water body, severely affecting the aquatic life there Effects of the food chain: Turmoil in food chain happens when the aquatic animals (fish, prawns, seahorse, etc) consume the toxins and pollutants in the water,  and then the humans consume them. Prevention of Water Pollution The best way to prevent large-scale water pollution is to try and reduce its harmful effects. There are numerous small changes we can make to protect ourselves from a future where water is scarce. Conserve Water: Conserving water should be our first aim. Water wastage is a major problem globally and we are only now waking up to the issue. Simple small changes made domestically will make a huge difference. Treatment of sewage: Treating waste products before disposing of it in water bodies helps reduce water pollution on a large scale. Agriculture or other industries can reuse this wastewater by reducing its toxic contents. Use of environment-friendly products: By using soluble products that do not go on to become pollutants, we can reduce the amount of water pollution caused by a household. Life is ultimately about choices and so is water pollution. We cannot live with sewage-strewn beaches, contaminated rivers , and fish that are poisonous to drink and eat. To avoid these scenarios,  we can work together to keep the environment clean so the water bodies, plants, animals, and people who depend on it remain healthy. We can take individual or teamed action to help reduce water pollution. As an example, by using environmentally friendly detergents, not pouring oil down the drains, reducing the usage of pesticides, and so on. We can take community action too to keep our rivers and seas cleaner. And we can take action as countries and continents to pass laws against water pollution. Working together, we can make water pollution less of a problem—and the world a better place. Customize your course in 30 seconds Which class are you in. Travelling Essay Picnic Essay Our Country Essay My Parents Essay Essay on Favourite Personality Essay on Memorable Day of My Life Essay on Knowledge is Power Essay on Gurpurab Essay on My Favourite Season Essay on Types of Sports Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Download the App Engineering Write For Us Privacy Policy Essay on Water Pollution Here we have shared the Essay on Water Pollution in detail so you can use it in your exam or assignment of 150, 250, 400, 500, or 1000 words. You can use this Essay on Water Pollution in any assignment or project whether you are in school (class 10th or 12th), college, or preparing for answer writing in competitive exams.  Topics covered in this article. Essay on Water Pollution in 150-250 words Essay on water pollution in 300-400 words, essay on water pollution in 500-1000 words. Water pollution is a pressing environmental issue that poses a significant threat to ecosystems and human health. It occurs when harmful substances, such as chemicals, industrial waste, or sewage, contaminate water bodies, including rivers, lakes, oceans, and groundwater sources. Water pollution has devastating consequences on aquatic life. Toxic pollutants can disrupt the balance of ecosystems, leading to the decline of fish and other marine species. Additionally, contaminated water can spread diseases to animals and humans who depend on these water sources for drinking, irrigation, and recreation. Industrial activities, improper waste disposal, agricultural runoff, and urbanization contribute to water pollution. Efforts to reduce water pollution include stricter regulations on waste disposal, the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices, and the development of advanced wastewater treatment technologies. Awareness and individual responsibility are crucial in combating water pollution. Simple actions like properly disposing of waste, conserving water, and avoiding the use of harmful chemicals can make a significant difference. Education and advocacy are essential to raising public awareness about the importance of protecting water resources and implementing sustainable practices. In conclusion, water pollution is a grave environmental issue that threatens aquatic ecosystems and human well-being. It is a global challenge that requires collective action and responsible behavior. By implementing effective regulations, adopting sustainable practices, and promoting awareness, we can safeguard our water resources and ensure a healthier and more sustainable future for all. Title: Water Pollution – A Growing Threat to Ecosystems and Human Well-being Introduction : Water pollution is a grave environmental issue that arises from the contamination of water bodies by harmful substances. It poses a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems and human health. This essay explores the causes and consequences of water pollution, as well as the measures required to address and prevent it. Causes of Water Pollution Water pollution can be attributed to various human activities and natural factors. Industrial discharge, improper waste disposal, agricultural runoff, oil spills, sewage, and chemical pollutants are among the leading causes. Rapid urbanization, population growth, and inadequate infrastructure for waste management contribute to the problem. Additionally, natural phenomena like sedimentation and erosion can exacerbate water pollution. Consequences of Water Pollution Water pollution has far-reaching ecological and human health implications. Contaminated water disrupts aquatic ecosystems, leading to the decline of fish and other marine species. It affects biodiversity, disrupts food chains, and damages habitats. Moreover, polluted water sources pose significant health risks to humans. Consuming or coming into contact with contaminated water can lead to waterborne diseases, gastrointestinal issues, skin problems, and even long-term health impacts. Prevention and Remediation Addressing water pollution requires a multi-faceted approach. Stricter regulations and enforcement regarding industrial discharge and waste management are essential. Promoting sustainable agricultural practices, such as reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and implementing proper irrigation techniques, can minimize agricultural runoff. Developing and implementing advanced wastewater treatment technologies is crucial to ensure that domestic and industrial effluents are properly treated before being discharged into water bodies. Individual and Collective Responsibility: Preventing water pollution is a shared responsibility. Individuals can contribute by practicing responsible waste disposal, conserving water, and avoiding the use of harmful chemicals. Public awareness campaigns and education programs play a vital role in promoting responsible behavior and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship. Conclusion : Water pollution is a critical environmental issue that jeopardizes the health of ecosystems and humans. It demands collective action and responsible behavior. By addressing the root causes of water pollution, implementing effective regulations, and promoting individual and collective responsibility, we can safeguard water resources and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. Title: Water Pollution – A Looming Crisis Threatening Ecosystems and Human Well-being Water pollution is a pressing environmental issue that poses a significant threat to ecosystems, biodiversity, and human health. It occurs when harmful substances contaminate water bodies, making them unfit for their intended uses. This essay delves into the causes, consequences, and potential solutions to water pollution, emphasizing the urgent need for collective action to address this global crisis. Water pollution arises from various sources, both human-induced and natural. Human activities play a significant role in polluting water bodies. Industrial discharge, untreated sewage, agricultural runoff, oil spills, mining activities, and improper waste disposal are among the leading causes. Industrial wastewater often contains heavy metals, toxic chemicals, and organic pollutants, which can have devastating effects on aquatic ecosystems and human health. Agricultural runoff, laden with pesticides, fertilizers, and animal waste, contaminates water bodies and contributes to eutrophication, depleting oxygen levels and harming aquatic life. The consequences of water pollution are far-reaching and encompass ecological, economic, and health impacts. Aquatic ecosystems bear the brunt of pollution, with devastating consequences for biodiversity and food chains. Pollutants disrupt aquatic habitats, decrease water quality, and lead to the decline of fish and other marine species. This ecological imbalance has ripple effects throughout the ecosystem, affecting the entire food web. Water pollution also has severe implications for human health. Contaminated water sources pose significant risks, as they can transmit waterborne diseases, including cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and hepatitis. Communities that rely on polluted water for drinking, cooking, and bathing are particularly vulnerable. Prolonged exposure to polluted water can lead to various health issues, such as gastrointestinal problems, skin irritations, respiratory illnesses, and even long-term health effects like cancer. Furthermore, water pollution has economic ramifications. Polluted water bodies reduce the availability of clean water for agriculture, industry, and domestic use. This leads to increased costs for water treatment, agricultural productivity losses, and economic disruptions in sectors that rely heavily on water resources, such as fisheries and tourism. Solutions and Mitigation Strategies Addressing water pollution requires comprehensive strategies and collaborative efforts. Governments, industries, communities, and individuals all have a role to play in mitigating pollution and safeguarding water resources. a. Regulatory Measures B. wastewater treatment, c. sustainable agriculture, d. waste management, e. education and awareness. Effective regulations and enforcement mechanisms are essential to control and prevent water pollution. Governments should establish stringent standards for industrial effluents and enforce penalties for non-compliance. Laws should be enacted to ensure proper waste disposal and treatment practices. Additionally, zoning regulations can help prevent pollution by restricting industrial activities near sensitive water bodies. Investing in advanced wastewater treatment infrastructure is crucial. Industries should implement appropriate treatment technologies to remove pollutants from their effluents before discharge. Municipalities must prioritize the treatment of domestic sewage to prevent contamination of water bodies. Developing countries, in particular, need support and resources to build and upgrade their wastewater treatment facilities. Adopting sustainable agricultural practices can significantly reduce pollution from agricultural activities. Encouraging the use of organic farming methods, integrated pest management, and precision irrigation can minimize the reliance on harmful pesticides and fertilizers. Proper manure management and implementing buffer zones along water bodies can also mitigate nutrient runoff and protect water quality. Improper waste disposal is a major contributor to water pollution. Implementing comprehensive waste management systems that include recycling, proper landfill management, and promotion of waste reduction strategies is crucial. Communities should have access to adequate waste collection services, and educational campaigns can raise awareness about the importance of responsible waste disposal. Public education and awareness programs play a vital role in addressing water pollution. Promoting water conservation practices, encouraging responsible behavior, and highlighting the link between water pollution and human health can empower individuals to take action. Educational campaigns should target schools, communities, and industries to foster a culture of environmental stewardship. Water pollution is a critical global issue that poses severe threats to ecosystems, biodiversity, and human well-being. It demands collective action and sustainable practices to safeguard water resources. Through stringent regulations, advanced wastewater treatment, sustainable agriculture, proper waste management, and education, we can mitigate water pollution and preserve this vital resource for future generations. By recognizing the urgency of this crisis and working collaboratively, we can ensure a healthier, cleaner, and more sustainable water future. Related Articles More From Author What is pharmacognosy, essay on community service, essay on plagiarism. Water Pollution in the US: Causes and Control Essay To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block As a source of information (ensure proper referencing) As a template for you assignment Introduction: Water Pollution in the United States Discussion: causes of water pollution and the means of reducing it, conclusion: spring cleaning on a global scale, reference list. The issue of water scarcity and to following strategy for its sustainable use is quite tricky. While technically being a renewable resource, water should not be viewed as the one that can replenish itself, either – due to the dangerously high rates of water pollution, the existing amounts of freshwater are getting increasingly low. Although water pollution can hardly be ceased entirely, the current rates of water pollution can be reduced by resorting to the sustainable principle of water use in both the industrial area and the realm of the household. By increasing awareness among the population and developing a sustainable approach towards the usage of the existing water resources, one will be capable of addressing the water pollution rates in the USA. Key Causes: The Dirty Side of Water Use Unfortunately, there is no single negative factor that contributes to the increase in water pollution rates, and there is no malefactor, either – instead, it is the inconsiderate use of the existing resources that triggers water pollution. Among the key factors that trigger water pollution, its industrial usage seems to be the reason for concern for the most part. However, it is the urban runoff (i.e., the abuse of water resources by the residents of the urban areas) that triggers the so-called nonpoint (i.e., irreversible) source pollution. Along with nutrients and chemicals pollution, the contamination by sewage discharges is an especially huge threat to the American resources of clean water. Industrial waste While having to comply with the existing regulations regarding environmental protection, a range of companies resort to unclean practices by dumping their waste into the areas, where the waste becomes a threat to water. The recent Exxon scandal has shown that the estimated $8.9 billion of environmental damages has been made in 2015 (THE EDITORIAL BOARD, 2015). Underground storage leakages Underground storage tanks, which traditionally contain petroleum and other harmful substances, often tend to leak, therefore, triggering the release of petrol and the related substances into water, hence the water pollution. Septic tanks Contributing to underground storage leaking (), septic tanks contribute to water pollution in the U.S. significantly by discharging around 2 sq. m of waste into the water daily (BELIN, 2015). Ocean dumping Another essential factor that defines the rates of water pollution in the USA, ocean dumping needs to be reduced significantly. Oil pollution The notorious case of Exxon’s oil spill in 2015 (THE EDITORIAL BOARD, 2015) has shown that oil pollution must be prevented at all costs. The 2013 oil pollution issues have caused the USA 125 miles of coast, affecting the water and the wildlife in the vicinity (Oil spills and disasters, 2014). Radioactive waste Much like ocean dumping, radioactive waste disposal is difficult to trace and, therefore, it is easier for organizations dealing with the substances in question to dispose of them improperly. Fossil fuels burning Emitting around 117,000, 164,000 and 208,000 billion Btu annually (Comparison against other fossil fuels, 2015), natural gas, oil and coal correspondingly pose a serious threat to the quality of water in the United States. Landfill leakage The problem of land pollution and the following contamination of groundwater is a major problem for the United States. According to the 2015 statistics, 56% of trash in the USA is transported to landfills (BRADFORD, 2010). The leakage from the latter, in its turn, poisons the groundwater in the vicinity with detritus from rotten food and the pollutants from plastic items decomposition (BRADFORD, 2010). Animal waste Animal droppings also decompose into the elements that, when introduced to the soil, penetrate the groundwater area and, therefore, pollute the water. Atmospheric deposition The destruction of atmosphere layers leads to the exposition of water resources to an extreme level of radiation and, therefore, triggers their untimely desiccation. Global warming One of the most notorious and, nevertheless, the one of the lengthiest effect, global warming causes the U.S. rivers to overflow; as a result, the sewage contents will pour into clean water, contaminating it. 1.2 trillion gallons of sewage contaminate freshwater annually in the U.S (Water pollution facts, n. d., para. 24). Death of aquatic animals Global warming triggers a steady rise in the temperature of the water, thus, causing deaths of numerous aquatic organisms. The decomposition elements of the latter pollute the waters of the Atlantic Ocean coast and the American rivers. By introducing wastewater to rivers and oceans, the authorities of the U.S. risk the contamination of the aquatic animals and, therefore, the transfer of pollution by the sick animals to the clean water areas. Food chains disruption The effects of wastewater and food chains disruption are, in fact, reciprocal, as the latter trigger an increase in the death toll among the water life forms and, therefore, cause the contamination of water with the decomposition products, the algae, which are no longer consumed by the deceased aquatic animals, etc. Ecosystems destruction As a result of the lack of proper food, the inhabitants of the American rivers and seas, as well as the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Arctic Oceans are likely to die out. The lack of certain elements of the ocean food chain, in its turn, will result in higher death tolls among the aquatic animals and, thus, higher decomposition rates. Reaching the point of no return Agriculture. To facilitate proper growth of crops, American farmers and farming organizations spend water resources unreasonably. 130 billion gallons being used for irrigation and livestock (ADMIN, 2011), agriculture is the leading cause of water scarcity in some of the regions of the USA. Municipal point sources Leading to a significant reduction of dissolved oxygen, MPS also drastically affect the cleanness of water in the U.S. Urban runoff Made of impervious materials, pavement does not allow snow and rain to trickle into the ground; as a result, the hydrological water cycle is disrupted. Stream/habitat changes Another factor that causes numerous water creatures to die or migrate, stream and habitat changes alter essential characteristics of the environment, thus, causing water to become filled with bacteria, algae, etc. Means of Control: Starting with Personal Responsibility Reasonable use of water. Sustainability as the basis towards the use of water resources can be viewed as the strategy that should make the basis for the proper use of water. The specified approach must be deployed at every level of water resources distribution from municipal to agricultural. Pollution Prevention Act Adopted in 1990, the Act creates the premises for “reducing the amount of pollution through cost-effective changes in production, operation, and raw materials use” (Summary of the Pollution Prevention Act, 1990, par. 1). Raising awareness among the citizen Apart from designing legal ramifications, state authorities should consider the idea of influencing people on a personal level. By promoting the responsible use of resources, one will be capable of reducing water waste rates significantly. Reducing the number of solids Solid waste reduction is likely to postpone the process of water supplies exhaustion. EPA laws enhancement Although the approaches suggested by EPA are generally reasonable, they seem to have been disregarded when defining the strategies for water resources use in the USA. Thus, there is a need to facilitate compliance with EPA laws. This can be done by imposing fines on the individuals and organizations abusing water resources. Ocean Dumping Program The program was designed in 2014 after the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (Research project description, 2014) and requires sustainable and responsible disposal of waste. Oil Pollution Prevention regulation Designed for addressing the issues such as the case of Exxon and, therefore, preventing the catastrophes related to oil spills, the specified act requires that specific standards for oil tanks design and the storage of oil therein should be complied with. Solutions to be designed: radioactive waste and direct injection Even though there is no solution to handling the issue of radioactive waste management, as well as the process of direct injection, measures must be taken to facilitate remoteness of the specified types of waste from any life forms and sources of water. Abandoning the use of landfills Although there is no alternative to landfill use for waste management at present, a more appropriate location of landfills can be considered a possibility. Specifically, the regions, where groundwater flows are generally very low, can be viewed as an option (BRADFORD 2010). Animal waste collection While the process of collecting animal waste may be rather complicated due to the difficulties related to tracing the locations of stray animals, making people take proper care of their pets and picking up the droppings left by the latter can be carried out comparatively easily by issuing the corresponding laws. Global warming prevention A very complex and difficult task, it involves a variety of measures starting from the sustainable use of resources to the transfer to driving hybrid vehicles and refrain from usage of a variety of pollutants including aerosols. Marine sustainability Introducing a set of more rigid regulations regarding the waste disposal for businesses along with the development of marine sustainability principles may help in not only preventing water pollution but also addressing the negative effects that it has caused. The U.S. authorities have adopted a range of programs aimed at water sanitation, including the USAID’s Water and Development Strategy (USAID, 2013). Sustainable use of resources The introduction of individuals and organizations to a reasonable usage of water has recently been viewed as an opportunity in the United States. Sustaining ecosystems: green infrastructure Likewise, the key principles of sustainability should be adopted when allowing the key ecosystems to retain their Addressing nonpoint source pollution Clean water act. Another suggestion for reconsidering the current rates of water usage, the CWA presupposes that the “basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States” (Summary of the Clean Water Act, 2015) should be established and that similar regulations should be provided for the use of freshwater in the USA. NPDES Permit Program A program aimed at regulating the current use of water, it regulates the sources, which discharge pollutants into the ocean (NPDES Stormwater Permit Program, 2015). Wastewater programs The phenomenon of wastewater harvesting () has been created for the sake of reducing urban runoff and may have a significant effect on sustainable water use once the awareness regarding the subject matter is increased. Even a more adequate use of water by the residents of the area can be facilitated with the introduction of similar programs. The refusal to use impervious pavement materials for sidewalks and driveways should also be viewed as an option (Urban nonpoint source fact sheet, 2003). Total maximum daily loads Seeing that no alternative to waste disposal for major companies have been designed yet, the organizations that dump waste into the ocean have to comply with the existing restrictions on the amount of waste that they can deposit. Unfortunately, not all states follow the requirements set by the TMDL Act (see Appendix A). Watershed management Likewise, the watershed management approach, which presupposes that careful studies of the watershed should be carried out with the following location of the problem areas and the measurers designed for addressing the emerging issues in a manner as timely and efficient as possible. There is no secret that watershed management presupposes dealing with not only the issue of water pollution but also the problem of habitat destruction. In other words, watershed management programs adopted in the USA currently allow for handling several issues simultaneously and, therefore, promoting a more sustainable approach towards the consumption and usage of the existing water resource. Green infrastructure The aforementioned sustainability issue can be attained through a series of actions that are determined for enhancing habitat recovery. Indeed, as it has been stressed above, the lack of sustainability in the management of the water resources in the USA triggers an immediate decay of the existing variability in American nature. As a result, a range of species faces the threat of extinction, therefore, triggering the overpopulation of water with smaller animals and algae (i.e., the elements that used to be the food of the extinct species). Thus, by restoring the habitats that have been destroyed, the American community will be capable of replenishing water resources or, at the very least, saving the ones that they still have at their disposal. National Water Quality Initiative Though having started their activity comparatively recently, the proponents of the NWQI movement have already designated “approximately five percent of EQIP financial assistance to targeted agricultural conservation practice implementation in 165 HUC 12 NWQI watersheds” (Session M5: quantifying agricultural nonpoint sources and controls, 2013, p. 2). Fostering personal responsibility Last, but not least, the idea of promoting personal responsibility as the basis for sustainable water use must be viewed as an option. Although water is traditionally viewed as a renewable resource, the nonpoint pollution factors in the United States make the threat of water scarcity dangerously high. Therefore, a more sustainable approach towards the use of water not only industrial but also household levels must be introduced into the framework of the U.S. water usage. ADMIN, 2011. US farming and irrigation water usage statistics . Sea Metrics , Web. BELIN, F. 2015. EPP2 Water Discharge Consent, exemption, Permit, legislation for Septic Tanks and off-mains systems . Biorock , Web. BRADFORD, A. 2010. Pollution facts & types of pollution . Live Science , Web. Comparison against other fossil fuels , 2015. Swarthmore College . Web. National summary of impaired waters and TMDL information , 2015. States Environmental Protection Agency. Web. NPDES Stormwater Permit Program, 2015. United States Environmental Protection Agency . Web. Oil spills and disasters , 2014. Infoplease. Web. Research project description, 2014. Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education . Web. Session M5: quantifying agricultural nonpoint sources and controls, 2013. Advisory Committee on Water Information. Web. Summary of the Pollution Prevention Act , 1990. United States Environmental Protection Agency . Web. THE EDITORIAL BOARD, 2015. Gov. Christie’s bad deal with Exxon . New York Times , p. 1. Web. Urban nonpoint source fact sheet, 2003. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Web. USAID, 2013. Water and development strategy. USAID , pp. 1–33, Web. Water pollution facts, n. d. Conserve energy , p. 1 Web. Will Oil Production Peak in the Next 20 Years? Water Cycle and Environmental Factors Refinery Wastewater Management Kuwaiti Groundwater Management and Monitoring Treatment of Wastewater Environmental Sustainability in Clean City Organization Externalities Effects on People and Environment Ecological Footprint Analysis “Eco-Warriors” by Rik Scarce PAH’s and the 2010 BP Gulf Oil Disaster Chicago (A-D) Chicago (N-B) IvyPanda. (2020, July 7). Water Pollution in the US: Causes and Control. https://ivypanda.com/essays/water-pollution-in-the-us-causes-and-control/ "Water Pollution in the US: Causes and Control." IvyPanda , 7 July 2020, ivypanda.com/essays/water-pollution-in-the-us-causes-and-control/. IvyPanda . (2020) 'Water Pollution in the US: Causes and Control'. 7 July. IvyPanda . 2020. "Water Pollution in the US: Causes and Control." July 7, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/water-pollution-in-the-us-causes-and-control/. 1. IvyPanda . "Water Pollution in the US: Causes and Control." July 7, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/water-pollution-in-the-us-causes-and-control/. Bibliography IvyPanda . "Water Pollution in the US: Causes and Control." July 7, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/water-pollution-in-the-us-causes-and-control/. 350 COMMENTS Mexico's Water Crisis: How We Help Mexico impact statistics. People reached 153,000. Capital mobilized (USD) $86 million. Loans disbursed 40,000. Number of active partners 7. Repayment rate 99%. Average loan size (USD) $2,132. Percent of women borrowers 55%. Discover how Water.org addresses the water crisis in Mexico, providing sustainable solutions for safe drinking water and ... Review of water scarcity assessments: Highlights of Mexico's water 3.1 Water situation in Mexico 3.1.1 Water resources. The complexity of Mexico's geography leads to a wide variety of climates throughout the territory. The northern and central zones, which cover two-thirds of the territory, have arid or semiarid ecosystems, with scarce annual precipitation averaging around 400 mm. The water crisis in Mexico: challenges and solutions Mexico seeks solutions through water projects. The Government of Mexico, through the National Water Commission (Conagua), is taking steps to address this crisis. It will allocate a significant investment of 93.55 billion pesos (approximately 5 billion euros) to fifteen priority water projects. These projects include the construction of dams ... Mexico's Drought: Country Faces a Water Emergency Nearly two-thirds of the country's municipalities are facing a water shortage. In Monterrey, a major economic hub, the government delivers water daily to 400 neighborhoods. Mexico City Has Long Thirsted for Water. The Crisis Is Worsening An enormous $2 billion tunnel opened in 2019 to take wastewater from Mexico City to a distant water treatment plant. A program to harvest unutilized rainwater was launched in some poorer ... A Current Review of Water Pollutants in American Continent: Trends and 1. Introduction. Water contamination represents a current crisis in human and environmental health. The presence of contaminants in the water and the lack of basic sanitation hinder the eradication of extreme poverty and diseases in the poorest countries [].For example, water sanitation deficiency is one of the leading causes of mortality in several countries. Mexico City is running out of water. Here's why and how ... Mexico City, one of the world's most populous cities, could be just months away from running out of water. It's a crisis brought on by geography, growth and leaky infrastructure, all compounded ... Opinion The immediate problem is the "Cutzamala" network of reservoirs, pipelines and water treatment plants that was built in the 1980s and provides about a quarter of the city's water from dams as ... Mexico City may be just months away from running of out water The Cutzamala water system, a network of reservoirs, pumping stations, canals and tunnels, supplies about 25% of the water used by the Valley of Mexico, which includes Mexico City. Water Pollution: Causes, Consequences, Solutions This essay aims to explore the causes, types, consequences, and current efforts to address water pollution. It will also address counterarguments, propose solutions, and highlight the importance of public awareness and education.Water pollution is primarily caused by industrial activities, agricultural practices, and household waste. US-Mexico border: 100 billion gallons of toxic sewage creating a Researchers found harmful bacteria, viruses and more in water samples. The U.S.-Mexico border region faces a public health crisis as billions of gallons of contaminated sewage flow from Mexico ... Water pollution Water pollution is the release of substances (such as chemicals or microorganisms) or energy (in the form of radioactivity or heat) ... Sound in 1989) and from the Deepwater Horizon oil rig (which released more than 4 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico in 2010). Oil slicks eventually move toward shore, harming aquatic life and ... Water pollution facts and information Pollution can enter water directly, through both legal and illegal discharges from factories, for example, or imperfect water treatment plants. Spills and leaks from oil pipelines or hydraulic ... 102 Water Pollution Essay Topic Ideas & Examples 102 Water Pollution Essay Topic Ideas & Examples. Updated: Mar 2nd, 2024. 8 min. Water pollution essays are an excellent way to demonstrate your awareness of the topic and your position on the solutions to the issue. To help you ease the writing process, we prepared some tips, essay topics, and research questions about water pollution. Essay on Water Pollution: Samples in 200, 500 Words 10 shares. 3. ( 79) Essay on Water Pollution: Water pollution occurs when human activities introduce toxic substances into freshwater ecosystems such as lakes, rivers, oceans, and groundwater, leading to the degradation of water quality. The combination of harmful chemicals with water has a negative impact on these ecosystems. Water Pollution: Causes and Solutions 6 Most Common Causes of Water Pollution. 1. Sewage and Wastewater. According to the UN, more than 80% of the world's wastewater flows back into the environment without being treated or reused; in some least-developed countries, this figure tops 95%. Harmful chemicals and bacteria can be found in sewage and wastewater even after it's been ... Water Pollution: Causes, Effects and Possible Solutions Expository Essay Harmful and toxic pollutants cause most cases of water pollution. The pollutants may cause the water to change both its physical or chemical nature by causing mixed reactions with its contents. One of the major pollutants is waste chemicals from manufacturing industries or factories. Most of these institutions are careless with this matter of ... Water Pollution In Mexico Essays The Problems Of Mexico City The principal problems now facing Mexico City are its overcrowding and overpopulation, its dangerous environment, its dwindling water supply, and its terrible air pollution. One of Mexico City's problems is that it has an enormous population that continues to rapidly increase every day. There are ... Larger-than-average 'dead zone' expected for Gulf of Mexico The annual Gulf of Mexico dead zone is primarily caused by excess nutrient pollution from human activities in urban and agricultural areas throughout the Mississippi River watershed. When the excess nutrients reach the Gulf, they stimulate an overgrowth of algae, which eventually die and decompose, depleting oxygen as they sink to the bottom. The resulting low oxygen levels near the bottom of ... Essay on Water Pollution for Students and Children The effects of Water Pollution are: Diseases: In humans, drinking or consuming polluted water in any way has many disastrous effects on our health. It causes typhoid, cholera, hepatitis and various other diseases. Eradication of Ecosystem: Ecosystem is extremely dynamic and responds to even small changes in the environment. Essay On Mexico City Pollution Essay On Mexico City Pollution. 621 Words3 Pages. Pollution has been an ongoing problem on Earth for thousands of years. Many factors can be the cause of pollution and many of these factors could be addressed to be solved. Even though there have been many attempts to fix the problem of pollution, few have been successful. Essay on Water Pollution: 150-250, 500-1000 words for Students Essay on Water Pollution in 150-250 words. Water pollution is a pressing environmental issue that poses a significant threat to ecosystems and human health. It occurs when harmful substances, such as chemicals, industrial waste, or sewage, contaminate water bodies, including rivers, lakes, oceans, and groundwater sources. Water Pollution in the US: Causes and Control Essay Landfill leakage. The problem of land pollution and the following contamination of groundwater is a major problem for the United States. According to the 2015 statistics, 56% of trash in the USA is transported to landfills (BRADFORD, 2010). The leakage from the latter, in its turn, poisons the groundwater in the vicinity with detritus from ... essay homework paper phd review speech study thesis