Essential to life on Earth, water is also important for industrial and agricultural uses, and for meeting energy, transportation and recreational needs. Pollution reduces water's value for human use and for sustaining life. A growing world population puts a strain on the supply of fresh, clean water. Pollutants can enter the water supply from specific points, such as factory discharge, or from non-point sources through storm water runoff.
Groundwater Contamination Controls
Protecting groundwater from contamination is a primary way to reduce water pollution, and is much less expensive than cleaning up contaminated water.
You can reduce groundwater pollution by properly disposing of chemicals, using recycling centers for hazardous materials, choosing household products with fewer pollutants, reducing or eliminating use of lawn and garden chemicals, and conserving personal water use.
Industry can diminish the potential for groundwater pollution by using fewer toxic chemicals and implementing processes that prevent contaminants from seeping into the environment. Farmers and growers can reduce groundwater contamination by curtailing use of agricultural fertilizers and pesticides.
Low-Impact Development
Urban development contributes to water pollution by interrupting the natural flow of water across a watershed, an area of land where all water---underground and surface--drains to the same location. Low-impact development, or LID, identifies existing structures and re-creates natural landscapes to allow optimal drainage or to capture storm water for storage. Examples include the use of rain barrels and porous concrete, as well as landscaping techniques such as rain gardens, vegetated rooftops and structures built to reduce storm water runoff.
Pollution Discharge Permits
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, authorized by the Clean Water Act, regulates specific, or "point," sources of discharge to help reduce water pollution. Examples of point sources include man-made channels and industrial pipes.
Industrial, municipal and related facilities must obtain permits if any of their discharges go directly to surface waters. Permits allow a small amount of discharge, but only if specific conditions are met. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, credits the NPDES program with making significant strides in U.S. water quality since its launch in 1972.
Storm Water Runoff Restrictions
Storm water runoff is caused by rain and snow melt flowing over land or non-porous surfaces without percolating into the ground. As it runs over the surface, it carries toxic chemicals, debris, sediment and other pollutants that can affect water quality.
Urbanites who want to mitigate this harmful process should keep trash, pet wastes, leaves and other rubbish away from storm drains and street gutters. They also should clean up any household and auto chemical spills quickly and reduce their use of lawn chemicals. Landscaping usually provides sufficient ground cover to prevent erosion.
The forestry industry can reduce runoff by properly managing logging roads and following other erosion-control practices. Agriculture producers can handle livestock manure and other wastes in ways that avert surface water contamination. Farmers can also follow conservation practices to slow soil erosion and use low-input farming practices to reduce reliance on chemical applications.
