Environmental Health Unit:Water Pollution Lesson

Objectives:•TSWBAT identify types, causes, dangers, preventing, and treating water pollution.•TSWBAT create solutions and actions to reduce water pollution in our building and at home.

Why is water important?

Water PollutionWater covers over 70% of the Earth's surface and is a very

important resource for people and the environment.

Water pollution affects drinking water, rivers,

lakes and oceans all over the world. This consequently harms human health and the

natural environment.

Types of PollutionCan come from a number of

different sources:Single source = point-

source pollution (oil spill)Many sources = nonpoint-

source pollution (fertilizers, toxic chemicals, bacteria)

Most affect the immediate area surrounding the source.

May affect the environment hundreds of miles away from the source = transboundary pollution.

Sources of Water PollutionRunoff - when rainwater or melting

snow flows across the ground and into the water supply (picks up pesticides, fertilizers, salts)

Wastewater – used water from homes, communities, farms, and businesses (can contain pollutants such as human wastes and pathogens)

Sediment – runoff can carry soil and other sediments into the water supply

Oil – spills from oil tankers and offshore drilling rigs can pollute the water

Great Garbage Patch

What do you think???http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTurihxSTnI&feature=grec_index

Dangers of PollutionVirtually all types of

water pollution are harmful to the health of humans and animals.

Water pollution may not damage our health immediately but can be harmful after long term exposure.

How can you protect the environment? Practicing conservation

Repair leaky faucetsDon’t leave water

running unnecessarily

Wait until you have a full load before doing laundry or running the dishwasher

Install low flow showerheads, toilets, and faucet aerators

Avoid overwatering lawn and garden

Reduce the use of household chemicals

Know how to discard hazardous wastes

Reduce, Reuse, RecycleEat a bit less meat,

especially beef. A typical hamburger can take 630 gallons to produce. "The Hidden Water We Use”

Buy less stuff.  Everything takes water to make. So if we buy less, we shrink our water footprint.

Waste DisposalIf wastes are not

properly contained or destroyed, they can pollute the land and water we rely on to live

Many types of waste are biodegradable (able to be broken down by microorganisms in the environment)

Solid waste – trash or garbage

- Landfills (specially engineered area where waste can be buried safely) - Incineration (burning wastes in specially designed incinerators)

Hazardous WastesWaste materials with

properties that make them dangerous to human health or the environment

Corrosive, chemically unstable, highly flammable, or toxic

Most must be treated to make them less harmful before being discarded

Industrial wastes – solvents used for cleaning and degreasing, sludge and wastewater

Household wastes – pesticides, paints, cleaning fluids, and batteries

Radioactive wastes – sources such as nuclear power plants produce wastes that emit radiation

Mercury – found in medical and dental wastes and in certain parts of cars

Preventing PollutionConserve water

Turn off the tap when running water is not necessary (helps prevent water shortages & reduces amount of water needing treatment)

Use tap water rather than bottled water (The US goes through 50 billion water bottles a year)

Be careful about what you throw down your sink or toilet. Don't throw paints, oils or other forms of litter down the drain.

Use environmentally friendly household products: The production, use and disposal of environmentally unfriendly products create pollution, groundwater contamination and other threats to the ecosystem.

Preventing PollutionDon’t overuse pesticides and fertilizers

This will prevent runoffs of the material into nearby water sources.

Plants in your garden: prevent fertilizer, pesticides & contaminated water from running off into nearby water sources.

Don't throw litter into rivers, lakes or oceans. Help clean up any litter you see on beaches or

in rivers and lakes. Make sure it is safe to collect the litter and put it in a nearby bin.

Preventing PollutionInstall low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators.

Because you’re saving hot water, you’ll also reduce your energy bill.

If you’re in the market for a toilet, buy a low-volume, ultra low-volume, or dual-flush model.

Fix leaky faucets. All those wasted drops add up—sometimes to 10-25 gallons a day.

Run your dishwasher and washing machine only when full. When it’s time to replace them, buy a water- and energy-efficient model. Remember, saving water saves energy, and saving energy saves water.

Preventing PollutionEat a bit less meat, especially beef. A typical hamburger

can take 630 gallons to produce. "The Hidden Water We Use”

Buy less stuff.  Everything takes water to make. So if we buy less, we shrink our water footprint.

Recycle plastics, glass, metals, and paper. Buy re-usable products rather than throw-aways, as it takes water to make most everything.

Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth and washing the dishes. Shave a minute or two off your shower time. Millions of people doing even the little things makes a difference.

Know the source of your drinking water—the river, lake, or aquifer that supplies your home.  Once you know it, you’ll care about it. You just won’t want to waste water.