Pollution and Water EQ: What is the greatest threat to our water quality?

Pollution – What is it exactly? Pollutant – something that causes harm to the environment Pollutant – something that causes harm to the environment Examples : Examples : Toxic Chemicals Toxic Chemicals Sewage Sewage Run-off from rain that carries fertilizers, oils, pesticides, etc into local water Run-off from rain that carries fertilizers, oils, pesticides, etc into local water All of these reduce water quality All of these reduce water quality

Sources of Pollution Point Source – comes from a single source that can easily be identified (you can Point to the source of the pollution) Point Source – comes from a single source that can easily be identified (you can Point to the source of the pollution) Examples: Hog farm, drainage pipe from factory Examples: Hog farm, drainage pipe from factory Because it comes from a single source it is easier to fix... “hey you (point to the person/company) stop polluting!” Because it comes from a single source it is easier to fix... “hey you (point to the person/company) stop polluting!”

Point Source Pictures- Ewww

Other Sources of Pollution Non-Point Source Pollution – Pollution that comes from many sources and/or is NOT easily identified. Non-Point Source Pollution – Pollution that comes from many sources and/or is NOT easily identified. Examples: Mall parking lots, street sewers,etc. Examples: Mall parking lots, street sewers,etc. Because we are never truly sure where it is coming from or who is doing it, non- point source pollution is much more difficult to clean up and prevent ! Because we are never truly sure where it is coming from or who is doing it, non- point source pollution is much more difficult to clean up and prevent !

With Non-Point Water Pollution – With Non-Point Water Pollution – We do not know how it gets there – but it can be just as harmful to our water system.

Fertilizer – Non-point Water Pollutant Phosphorous and nitrogen are key ingredients in fertilizer… Phosphorous and nitrogen are key ingredients in fertilizer… These nutrients are carried into water system through RUN-OFF from lawns, farming fields, and golf courses. These nutrients are carried into water system through RUN-OFF from lawns, farming fields, and golf courses. They cause harmful algae blooms like pfisteria in estuaries. (These algae blooms are toxic to the touch and to breathe and cause fish kills.) They cause harmful algae blooms like pfisteria in estuaries. (These algae blooms are toxic to the touch and to breathe and cause fish kills.) It also leads to low levels of dissolved oxygen in the water which cause fish to die. It also leads to low levels of dissolved oxygen in the water which cause fish to die.

Algae in Water

Red Tide - Pfisteria

Take the test : Sources of Water Pollutant Do you : Pick up dog and cat feces in the yard? Pick up dog and cat feces in the yard? Fertilize your lawn before a rain storm? Fertilize your lawn before a rain storm? Use bug or insect sprays? Use bug or insect sprays? Dump motor oil or paint in the yard? Dump motor oil or paint in the yard? Wash your car in the driveway? Wash your car in the driveway?

STOP POINTLESS WATER POLLUTION !

Never Litter ! The trash you throw out will later be in what you drink ! The trash you throw out will later be in what you drink !

Stewardship: Being a responsible citizen ! Turn off the water when you are brushing your teeth. Turn off the water when you are brushing your teeth. Repair leaky faucets and running toilets. Repair leaky faucets and running toilets. Never pile leaves or debris on the curb. Never pile leaves or debris on the curb. Keep storm drains clear of trash and yard debris. Keep storm drains clear of trash and yard debris. NEVER put down fertilizer before a storm. NEVER put down fertilizer before a storm.