Water Contamination-Drinking Water
By: Breanna Smith
Causes of Water Contamination
Water contamination occurs when pesticides and runoff from farms get into our drinking water which can lead to a lot of health issues. The most common way for pesticides to get into our water is from farm runoff. In smaller towns, there are underground water sheds that hold water after it rains. When water comes from that, it is often not fully filtered, we might drink this water.
Effects of Contamination, Positive and Negative
Millions of people are affected by water contamination each day. It can lead to disease and commonly, death. Contamination has many negative effects. It can lead to neurological disorders and reproductive problems. 22,000 women have had bladder cancer due to contaminants. But, water contamination also has it's plus side, believe it or not. Scientists have been researching and have found 13 new pesticides that can help other countries, not just our own. If it weren't for unhealthy water, we wouldn't be preventing it in the future. Also, they have made new filtration systems that we never would have thought of.
State, Country, and Worldwide Issues
Iowa is a state with many watersheds, as we know from before, watersheds are directly related to water contamination in drinking water. So many Iowans get diseases and even die from watershed contamination. Our country, especially this time of year, is very rainy. This rain can lead to runoff which can get into our water. 15% of the US population gets their drinking water from private wells, water sheds, which is a huge issue. The World, in less fortunate countries like Africa, there are many issues. In Bangladesh, 35-77 people depend on water that is contaminated with arsenic, a harmful chemical. 80% of all diseases throughout the world is from a waterborne illness.
Ways To Prevent The Issue
Water contamination is something that can actually be prevented. Before you take a drink, all you have to do is check the label on the water bottle. The label will tell how the water is treated, if it is safe, continue drinking and enjoy, if not call the company for further details. Another way that is not as easily doable, is to cover contaminated areas with rock or tight sediment. Gravel and any other loose sediments can get into water, contaminating them. To prevent this, we just need to make sure areas are covered so water is less likely to get contaminated.
Want to Help Out?
There are many organizations all over the US that helps other countries gain access to clean water. The UNICEF works daily to help over 100 countries across he world get access to facilities with clean water. They also help after natural disasters and go to schools and teach native children the importance of hygiene and give them tools to practice proper hygiene. Other government organization give other countries a great deal, for every $1 donated, the US will give anywhere from $5 to $46 to build facilities to filter water.
Visual Environment and Ways to Recycle
Water isn't something that can easily be recyclable, but it can be done. As long as we properly filter it, we can use rain water for just about anything. But since it is hard to clean, recycling rain water isn't suggested by many scientists. Water pollution can easily be seen by the public, but contaminants in water are hard to see if you can even see them at all. So the visual environment doesn't effect the health of people.