How to Identify Sources of Water Pollution

Fighting water pollution is a noble but often thankless job. The main types of water pollution are point source and nonpoint source pollutants. There is only a small difference: You can trace point source pollutants to their origination point, while nonpoint source pollutants are more difficult to trace. The war against the pollution of our drinking water needs to have the buy-in of businesses and citizens alike before it is over.

Instructions

Identify Point Source Pollution

• 1

  Inspect major animal farm "factories" where there are large amounts of chicken coops, swineherds in cages and cows kept in pens. Remember, movement is very limited in all of these cases. Animal waste washed into the sewer system is the same as a red flag showing where the water pollution has begun in this instance.

• 2

  Tour your community's water treatment plant. Determine if the tests are appropriate to clean the water before it returns to the holding system. Be sure you do not see grit and dirt. If the treatment plant uses sand filtration and chlorine treatment, you should not notice anything awry.

• 3

  Think about what the water looks like when you go swimming. Consider whether you would want to enter the water you are inspecting. Does it appear there are unappealing objects in the water traveling to the water treatment plant? Bacteria, microorganisms and viruses come into water supplies from lake water and sewer plant discharges.

Identify Nonpoint Source Pollutants

• 4

  Look around businesses for nonpoint source pollutants. Runoff from household chemicals, widespread fertilization or even antifreeze and oil from car maintenance are rampant. Imagine these pollutants attaching themselves to your water source through their travel into drains.

• 5

  Watch out for pets and other animals. Pet feces are another contributor to the problem of water pollution. Consider, as well, that the use of unsatisfactory plumbing equipment can and often does make people sick. Check your own as a start.

• 6

  Consider areas where the channel of a stream or river has been altered. This will cause nonpoint source pollution. Removing trees and adding retaining walls to the water source will cause the same problem.