Water Pollution

Water pollution encompasses a wide range of threats facing Earth’s water quality, health, and sustainability. In parallel with the growing expansion of large cities and industrial centers, protecting our water resources from these threats has never been more crucial. Whether stemming from illegal chemical discharges from industrial factories, or toxic stormwater runoff from our roads, water pollution has staggering implications on our daily lives. Biological degradation, the spread of infectious diseases, and ecological disasters are only a few striking effects of this issue. That said, what exactly are the kinds of water pollution in our community?

>80%

Over 80% of global wastewater contaminated by toxic chemicals, pesticides, and/or other pollutants return to our water source ecosystems without proper treatment

4.8

BILLION

The lives and health of over 4.8 billion people are projected to be jeopardized by 2030 if action is not taken to improve water quality and control (UN Water).

Sources of Water Pollution

Water pollution doesn't just happen. The degradation of our environment's water quality can be traced to various sources, with some even right in our backyards. Explore and learn more about the sources of water pollution below, and read how our community can address them!

Urban Agricultural

Untreated Wastewater

Discharge of toxic pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and products with heavy metals into the local soil and groundwater table.

Polluted stormwater runoff channels waterborne diseases, waste, and chemicals into our oceans, rivers, and lakes.

Marine Dumping

Illegal dumping of toxic chemicals, plastic waste, and agricultural fertilizers can spark algal blooms that decimate local coastal wildlife populations.

Industrial Discharges

Harmful pollutants discharged directly into rivers and water sources without regulation threatens the health of our communities

Chemical Waste

When introduced into the water table, even household products like detergents, medications, paint, and other chemicals contribute to widespread poor water quality.

Key Issues

Wastewater Treatment

Untreated urban wastewater is often discharged directly into drainage channels that lead into oceans, rivers, and other water bodies. Current wastewater treatment practices and infrastructure isn't enough to safeguard our local water resources and ecosystems.

Sustainable Communities

Without widespread, standardized water recycling treatment infrastructure, reusable water is undervalued despite being sustainable sources of water, energy, and nutrients. Water waste has continued to place a strain on community water basins.

Stormwater Management

Urban landfills, vehicle emissions, medical waste, and other contaminants pollute the water cycle. Weather events then return these contaminants back into our communities, polluting our drinking water, marine ecosystems, and human health.

The Issues

The center of all life revolves around water.

From the water we drink to the water that keeps our agricultural industry thriving, maintaining the health of our water resources is of essence. However, water pollution is threatening its continued use. Explore the threats of toxic water runoff, pollutants, and emissions on biodiversity, ecosystems, and human health in our coastal communities below.

Learn. Teach. Live.

Learn more about the issues of water pollution in your communities and how you can contribute to a more sustainable future with water by visiting out blog.

Learn more