Water Pollution

News and information about the causes of water pollution and how to combat it.
Tap Water in 42 States Contaminated by ChemicalsPublic water supplies in 42 U.S. states--the tap water millions of Americans drink every day--are are contaminated with 141 unregulated chemicals for which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has never established safety standards, according to an investigation by the Environmental Working Group.
Coca-Cola Charged with Groundwater Depletion and Pollution in IndiaGroundwater depletion has become a serious problem in India, and villagers blame Coca-Cola for aggravating the groundwater problem. Learn what India's government and citizens are doing, and how Coca-Cola is responding to the groundwater and pollution charges.
Water Pollution - Canada Takes Crap for Flushing Raw Sewage into the OceanCanada flushes some 200 billion litres of raw sewage directly into natural waterways every year, from the St. Lawrence River to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific Ocean. One of the worst offenders is the city of Victoria, the picturesque capital of British Columbia, the province that is preparing to host the 2010 Winter Olympics. link....

Pollution Prevention

Freshwater pollution may not get as much attention as the pollution of the oceans. However, what most people do not realize is that it is freshwater that is the most important for their survival.Freshwater includes drinking water, which we need to live. Every living being need water to live. Animals and plants depend on us to make sure that they have the freshwater supply they need, free from pollution, to survive. That is why freshwater pollution prevention is a major priority.Importance of PreventionThe important of freshwater pollution prevention can not be denied. Without a clean supply of freshwater we would all be in danger. However, freshwater pollution prevention may be as easy as it seems.It is often thought that avoiding dumping waste and other polluting agents into water is enough to prevent water pollution. This is only part of the problem.Water is polluted in many different ways. It can be polluted through overgrowth of algae or bacteria. It can happen through pollution on the surface that seeps into the groundwater. It can also be a side effect of air pollution.Freshwater pollution prevention is not as easy as it may seem at all. To prevent water pollution there is a lot of regulations that must be put into place.Prevention MeasuresAs mentioned, water pollution happens due to varying sources. Waste thrown directly into the water is w form of pollution that can be easily prevented. Through regulations and strict monitoring of waterways dumping can be stopped. People are not likely to dump trash in to water if they know they will pay a price for doing so.Waste that is not thrown into water is another concern and far harder to monitor. Waste sitting above ground will seep into the soil below and eventually into the groundwater. Groundwater is the main source for all freshwater. Once it seeps t the ground water then the ground water is polluted.Controlling this problem is also done through regulation. It requires educating businesses and individuals about the dangers of dumping trash anywhere, as well. Another issue is the growth of bacteria. This is extremely hard to prevent. However, through careful monitoring of waterways conditions can be observed and changed as needed to prevent excessive growth.Air pollution transferring to water pollution is becoming more of a concern as air pollution tends to get worse. The only way to prevent this pollution is to fight air pollution. So, prevention of air pollution and water pollution go hand in hand.Controlling water pollution is anything but simple. It requires strict standards and constant patrolling to ensure that water ways are kept clean and pollution is kept out. link....

Congress considers legislation for quicker testing of water pollution

A measure approved by the House would require the EPA to develop a system that would allow the public to be made aware of contamination within hours of sampling.

Reporting from Washington -- Under legislation making its way through Congress, beachgoers would find out sooner whether they should steer clear of the water. A measure approved Wednesday on a voice vote by the House would require speedier testing for coastal pollution and fund projects to track down sources of contamination.
Dirty water
California beaches face a rising tide of...
In California, the additional spending authorized by the bill would be welcome by cities that have cut back on beach monitoring because of the state's budget troubles, said Mark Gold, president of Heal the Bay, a Santa Monica-based environmental group.Rep. John Boozman of Arkansas, top Republican on the House subcommittee on water resources and environment, said the measure would "help ensure that the public can get timely warnings of potential health hazards associated with a trip to the beach."Congressional action came as the Natural Resources Defense Council reported that beach closings and advisories last year declined 10%. But that, the group said, most likely was because of dry conditions and decreased funding for water monitoring.
Beach closings and advisories, often the result of aging sewage and storm water systems, still exceeded 20,000 incidents nationwide last year -- the fourth highest number since 1990, the group reported.The Clean Coastal Environment and Public Health Act passed Wednesday by the House would require the Environmental Protection Agency to develop a test by 2012 that would allow the public to be alerted to contamination within hours of sampling, reducing the risk of exposure to disease-causing pathogens. A similar bill has cleared a Senate committee.Currently, tests take 18 hours or longer to produce results."You get information on Friday that tells you whether the beach was clean on Thursday," said Nancy Stoner, co-director of the Natural Resources Defense Council's water program.Once a faster test is developed, Gold said, "you grab a sample at 7 in the morning, and then you can post warning signs on the beach by 11 to let the public know whether or not it's safe to swim."The House bill would authorize $40 million a year for the program through 2014. The Senate bill would authorize $60 million annually through 2013. Even if a final bill passes, the money would have to be appropriated by Congress. Lawmakers already have moved on a separate front to increase funding for clean-water projects, including those designed to prevent beach pollution. A House-approved bill would provide $2.3 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which helps state and local agencies pay for projects such as upgrading aging sewage-treatment plants and preventing runoff of polluted water. A bill headed to the Senate would provide $2.1 billion. About $689 million was provided this year.Lawmakers also are considering the Sewage Overflow Community Right-To-Know Act, which would require treatment plants to alert the public to sewer overflows. link....