Water Pollution Ms. Morris

Overview  Over ¾ of the Earth is covered in water  Most is salt water = undrinkable Is a process (desalination) to make it drinkable Is a process (desalination) to make it drinkable Very expensive and extensive Very expensive and extensive Not really an option Not really an option  Less than 1% of fresh water is usable Polar ice caps Polar ice caps

Overview  Water is very limited and precious Not readily available to everyone in the world Not readily available to everyone in the world Americans can generally get water anytime, anywhere Americans can generally get water anytime, anywhere  10 million people die every year from intestinal diseases from unsafe water Escherichia coli (E. coli) – bacteria causing bloody diarrhea and possibly kidney failure Escherichia coli (E. coli) – bacteria causing bloody diarrhea and possibly kidney failure Cryptosporidiosis – diarrhea caused by a microscopic parasite Cryptosporidiosis – diarrhea caused by a microscopic parasite

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Groundwater  Aquifers – underground fresh water sources  Most Americans get their drinking water from underground sources  NOT safe from contamination Underground storage tanks Underground storage tanks Septic tanks Septic tanks Agricultural activities Agricultural activities

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Surface Water  Polluted surface water can Harm aquatic life Harm aquatic life Threaten human health Threaten human health Lose recreational potential (public beaches) Lose recreational potential (public beaches) Lose aesthetic value (looks) Lose aesthetic value (looks)  Effluent – wastewater that is the result of some sort of process  Effluent should be treated Sludge – leftover residue from treating effluent Sludge – leftover residue from treating effluent

Pollution Sources  Municipal Household liquid wastes Household liquid wastes Toilets, sinks, showers Toilets, sinks, showers Organic materials, nutrients, bacteria, viruses Organic materials, nutrients, bacteria, viruses  Industrial Manufacturing processes Manufacturing processes Billions of gallons of water daily Billions of gallons of water daily Pesticides, fertilizers, steel, paper, plastic, petroleum Pesticides, fertilizers, steel, paper, plastic, petroleum

Pollution Sources  Nonpoint Very nonspecific – hard to trace Very nonspecific – hard to trace Largest source of water pollution Largest source of water pollution Can be rain runoff carrying top soil and chemicals into a stream Can be rain runoff carrying top soil and chemicals into a stream  Dredge and fill Process of making waterways wider and deeper Process of making waterways wider and deeper Stirs up bottom sediments and pollutants Stirs up bottom sediments and pollutants

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Questions  List three sources of pollution affecting water resources.  What is an aquifer?  Why are aquifers important?  Why is it so important to keep the water we do have clean?  Turn into Ms. Morris by the end of the day (10 Points).