Introduction
The 21st century has brought significant environmental innovations, but fundamental issues like water pollution persist. The decline in historical diseases like typhoid and cholera marked one of the most significant accomplishments of the 20th century. Despite the widespread availability of clean water in developed nations, concerns remain for more concealed reasons.
Research shows that Americans want more resources put into this neglected issue: in the U.S., 63% of adults believe the government is not doing enough to protect water resources, while only 7% think too much is being done (Pew Research Center). Although this problem is often seen as a developing-world issue, access to safe drinking water remains a U.S. public health priority.
What is Water Pollution?
Water pollution refers to the contamination of water bodies by harmful chemicals or substances detrimental to health, whether human, animal, or plant. Sources of pollution can range from corroded pipes leaching dangerous chemicals to hazardous waste sites and industrial discharges. Other common contributors include pesticides and fertilizers from agriculture, naturally occurring toxic substances like arsenic and lead, and sewage waste.
Impact on Health
The health effects of water contamination can range from short-term symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea to long-term issues including kidney failure, diabetes, and cancer.
The CDC estimates the total healthcare costs related to water pollution at $3.3 billion annually. Around 7.15 million waterborne illnesses occur each year in the U.S., leading to 601,000 emergency room visits. With current government investment, over 2 million Americans still lack access to clean drinking water. Specifically, underserved communities including Latino, Black, and Indigenous populations are disproportionately impacted by the water and sanitation infrastructure, exacerbating the racial gap.
Impact on the Environment
Water pollution can have devastating environmental consequences. Pollutants contaminate reservoirs through two main methods; they seep into groundwater after rainfall or mix with surface water. For example, industrial processes produce pesticides, metals, and solvents that leach into aquatic ecosystems, killing marine life. Petroelum spills also have significant environmental detriments. For example. The 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill alone caused the deaths of 82,000 birds, 25,900 marine animals, and 6,165 sea turtles.
Fertilizers that percolate through soil and end up in aquatic ecosystems end up counterintuitively degrading them through eutrophication—the excessive growth of algae and plant life that depletes oxygen levels in water. Similarly, water pollution does not stop only at a single rung in the food chain ladder. Rather, pollutants transfer toxins throughout the food chain, affecting dependent wildlife and, eventually, humans.
Impact on Infrastructure
Aging and deteriorating infrastructure continue to pose risks for clean tap water. Estimates have shown that upwards of $625 billion is needed to repair water infrastructure in the next 20 years. Moreover, 43 million people in the US still rely on unregulated water sources (private wells), which are not filtered or monitored for high concentrations of hazardous chemicals.
On the other hand, the increased use of premise plumbing (using pipes to deliver water to buildings) has increased the average water residency time, or the time that water is stationary in a container. This leads to biofilms, or communities of microorganisms that develop on the surface. Biofilms form protective extracellular matrices, which are highly resistant to chemical attempts to eliminate them.
Progression of Biofilm
A rise in leisure culture has further exacerbated this issue, with facilities like swimming pools and water parks harboring dangerous, chlorine-resistant pathogens like cryptosporidium.
What Can We Do?
The Safe Drinking Water Act (1996) requires the Environmental Protection Agency to assess the 20-year drinking water infrastructure needs of each state. Forecasts by the EPA of necessary investment have rised sharply in the last 5-10 years, yet not enough government funding is present. Donating to and supporting water revitalization organizations bolsters efforts to reduce the economic burden. Strengthening policies such as the Lead and Copper Rule (the lead and copper concentration regulations in water), which has been appealed and weakened in recent years, can help vulnerable communities like Flint, Michigan and Buffalo, New York pass life-saving legislation.
| Total National Need (Current Year Dollars) | Total National Need (2021 Dollars) | Percent Change from Previous Assessment | |
| 1st – 1995 | $137.1B | $292.8B | – |
| 2nd – 1999 | $148.7B | $288.2B | 8.5% |
| 3rd – 2003 | $274.3B | $484.6B | 84.5% |
| 4th – 2007 | $331.9B | $489.7B | 21.0% |
| 4th – 2007 | $380.9B | $495.5B | 14.8% |
| 6th – 2015 | $468.8B | $546.6B | 23.1% |
| 7th – 2021 | $625.0B | $625.0B | 33.3% |
Small Things Make a Difference.
01
Dispose of Waste Properly
Avoid flushing non-biodegradable products like wipes, sanitary products, and plastic items.
02
Minimize Use of Chemicals
Limit the use of toxic household cleaners, pesticides, and fertilizers.
03
Conserve Water
Reduce water usage by taking shorter showers and turning off taps when not in use. The less water we waste, the less strain we put on plumbing systems.
04
Pick Up Garbage
Trash left in public areas can end up in waterways. Taking litter off our streets is instrumental to protecting watersheds.
05
Reduce Plastic Use
Plastics break down into microplastics, which pollute water and harm marine life. Instead, opt for reusable bottles, bags, and containers.
06
Engage in Community Outreach
Tackling water pollution is a global effort. Education and engagement is a top priority, whether at work, school, or on social media.
Conclusion
Water is vital for life, not only as a basic necessity but as a medium for recreation and community. Leisure activities such as boating, swimming, and fishing encompass our larger cultural identity. By making water conservation and protection a priority, we are not just saving a resource; we are ensuring a healthier planet for generations to come. Let’s rise to the challenge and commit to keeping our water clean and safe. The time for change is now, and it starts with us!
Citations
- “Genomic Characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus Associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Emerging Infectious Diseases, vol. 27, no. 1, 2021, pp. 100-109. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/27/1/19-0676_article. Accessed 14 Sept. 2024.
- “3 Majorities of Americans Say Too Little Is Being Done on Key Areas of Environmental Protection.” Pew Research Center, 28 June 2023, https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2023/06/28/3-majorities-of-americans-say-too-little-is-being-done-on-key-areas-of-environmental-protection/. Accessed 14 Sept. 2024.
- “More Federal Funding Needed to Improve Drinking Water, EPA Study Finds.” Pew Trusts, 25 Sept. 2023, https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2023/09/25/more-federal-funding-needed-to-improve-drinking-water-epa-study-finds. Accessed 14 Sept. 2024.
- “Addressing the Growing Water Crisis in the U.S.” CDC Foundation, https://www.cdcfoundation.org/blog/addressing-growing-water-crisis-us#:~:text=In%20the%20United%20States%2C%20many,a%20result%20of%20hauling%20water. Accessed 14 Sept. 2024.
- “America’s Failing Drinking Water System.” Natural Resources Defense Council, https://www.nrdc.org/stories/americas-failing-drinking-water-system#lead-pipes. Accessed 14 Sept. 2024.
- “The Impact of Water Pollution on Human Health and the Environment.” National Center for Biotechnology Information, vol. 15, no. 4, 2024, pp. 235-245, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10001968/. Accessed 14 Sept. 2024.
- “Water Pollution: Definition, Facts, and Effects.” Fairplanet, https://www.fairplanet.org/story/water-pollution-definition-facts-and-effects/. Accessed 14 Sept. 2024.
- D. Davis, CC BY 2.5 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5>, via Wikimedia Commons
- U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Bryan Reckard, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons