What is Water Pollution?

Imagine not being able to drink a glass of water, not being able to go swimming in a lake on a hot summer day. That is a reality for many people because of how polluted the Great Lakes are becoming. Water pollution is “when discharges of energy or materials degrade the quality of water for other users, including both humans and wildlife.” (Historic Canada). Water pollution is now becoming a big issue especially in the Great Lakes. “The Great Lakes consist of four lakes including Lake Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario. Their connecting channels form the largest fresh surface water system on Earth.” (Great Lakes Information Network) “These Freshwater Seas hold an estimated 6 quadrillion gallons of water, about one-fifth of the world's fresh surface water supply and nine-tenths of the U.S. supply” (Great Lakes Information Network). The Great Lakes provide a source of fresh water to many places across the world which means polluted water will cause a big problem to many people all across the world. One of the main sources that contribute to the water pollution are industries which dump toxic chemicals and sewage into the waters. Pollution is having a big affect on the waterways of the world and also the Great Lakes in Canada and the run offs into the United States.

Pollution Levels of the Great lakes

 

(Map: Chris Brackley/Canadian Geographic)

This map shows the levels of stress on the Great Lakes caused by different pollutants. 

Where is it Taking Place?

This issue is taking place in the Great Lakes and in the surrounding areas. The pollution occurring is specifically happening in and around the Great Lakes but the consequences from these actions are affecting much larger areas. “Wastewater, development, air pollution, and pesticide runoff are among the sources of pollution in the Great Lakes, which contain 20% of the world’s fresh water supply. More than 35 million people in the United States and Canada depend on the Great Lakes for their water” (Filter Butler). The Great Lakes provide a lot of fresh water to people which means that polluted water causes many people to be without clean fresh water. Even though the Great Lakes are located in Canada the effects of water pollution are global, and this has been an issue for many years.  

How Long Has it Been Going on For?

Water pollution the in the Great Lakes has been going on for many years and has been a big issue, “Lake Erie was even pronounced ‘dead’ for a time during the 1960s because of an overload of phosphorus from municipal waste” (Canadian Geographic). Recently there have been different projects to raise awareness and to help stop and repair damage caused by the pollution. “In the 1960s, an environmental movement began to emerge that sought to stem the tide of pollutants flowing into the planet's ecosystems. Out of this movement came events like Earth Day, and legislative victories like the Clean Air Act (1970) and the Clean Water Act (1972).” This issue has been going on for many years and affects many different things like land, air, plants, animals, and the climate.

How Does it Affect Physical Systems?

When toxic or harmful substances enter the water they harm the plants and animals who live in or near the water and they also cause harm to the animals and plants who drink from the water. In the past, many industries were careless about how they disposed of their manufacturing waste products. “Heavy metals from industrial processes are especially harmful sources of water pollution. Heavy metals that accumulate in lakes and rivers harm fish and other marine life and the humans who eat them” (Canadian Geographic). When animals and plants have to live in a toxic environment, they will die. There will be a reduction of amount of animals or plants that can survive and this could eventually lead to extinction. People are also forced to use these plants and animals as sources of food which could result in illness among people. As the health of the plants and animals is affected, humans may also have to change their pattern of where they live and what they eat due to the polluted waters.

Etobicoke Creek Oil Spill

("Hazmat Crews Called to Clean up Etobicoke Creek Oil Spill." CTV News Toronto. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Jan. 2016.)
This picture shows a duck by the Etobicoke Creek covered from a oil spill, many animals had to rescued and treated. 

How Does it Affect Human Systems?

Waters that are polluted can cause a lot of harm to people and can cause them to become sick. People may choose to live in communities where there is less water pollution or even just more awareness and campaigns to help to stop it. Clean beaches and waterfront provide recreational opportunities for residents and economic opportunities for businesses when tourists come, it will also provide job opportunities for people which attracts people to a community. “There is a pronounced lack of available and accessible data on the health of the watersheds” (World Wildlife Fund). This means that there is not a lot of data about water pollution which makes it very hard for people to know whether a place is a good place to live because of the polluted waters. People may be forced to change their diet because of the pollution killing fish or other animals that they may eat. Water pollution has a very big effect on humans but it also affects the economy in many negative ways.        

Toronto Sunnyside Beach

 (Sunny Side Beach. Digital image. Blog Toronto. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Jan. 2016.)  

Great efforts have been made to clean up and restore many beaches like Sunny Side Beach in Toronto.

How Does it Affect the Economy?

Water pollution can threaten the economy as it will affect shipping, transportation, tourism and recreation. A big threat to the economy is the fishing industry especially in places like British Columbia where there is an estimated “3,880 full-time equivalent direct jobs” (Farmed and Dangerous). This means that many people would be out of jobs and would have a big affect on the economy as there would be no trading or selling of the fish. Also untangling the nets from propellers or any kind of garbage that it could pickup is very expensive and could cause a strain on the economy. Water pollution affects many things but there are things that we can do to help repair and create awareness about this issue.           

Actions to Help to it?

    Some things that people can do to help stop water pollution is to not litter and to throw all trash in garbage cans and not on the ground so it does not end up in the lakes. Also people need to have more knowledge about what they are putting in the water and how it will affect the environment and even them.“Water pollution can be prevented by stopping pollutants from contaminating nearby waters. There are a number of water treatments to prevent pollution such as Biological filters, Chemical additives, Sand filters.” (Water Pollution Guide) Industries are causing a lot of the pollution so there needs to laws in place to stop companies from dumping the waste into the water and the companies need to have more knowledge about what they are doing and the impact it has. What will you do to help stop water pollution?