WATER POLLUTIONWATER POLLUTION

What are the types of What are the types of water pollution?water pollution?

Water pollution can come Water pollution can come from a number of different from a number of different

sources. If the pollution sources. If the pollution comes from a single source, comes from a single source,

such as an oil spill, it is such as an oil spill, it is called point-source called point-source

pollution. If the pollution pollution. If the pollution comes from many sources, comes from many sources, it is called nonpoint-source it is called nonpoint-source

pollution.pollution.

What causes water pollution?What causes water pollution?• leaves and grass clippingsleaves and grass clippings

• swimming pool chemicalsswimming pool chemicals

• hazardous chemicalshazardous chemicals

• soaps and detergentssoaps and detergents

• trash and littertrash and litter

• animal wasteanimal waste

• dirtdirt

• oil and other chemicals from carsoil and other chemicals from cars

• pesticides and fertilizerspesticides and fertilizers

MEASUREMENTMEASUREMENTWater pollution may be analyzed through several Water pollution may be analyzed through several broad categories of methods: physical, chemical broad categories of methods: physical, chemical

and biological. Most involve collection of and biological. Most involve collection of samples, followed by specialized analytical tests.samples, followed by specialized analytical tests.

Doctors use instruments like thermometers and Doctors use instruments like thermometers and stethoscopes to check on your health. Scientists use stethoscopes to check on your health. Scientists use instruments like Secchi (sek’-ee) disks, probes, nets, instruments like Secchi (sek’-ee) disks, probes, nets,

gauges, and meters to determine how healthy the water is. gauges, and meters to determine how healthy the water is. They take measurements of the physical and chemical They take measurements of the physical and chemical

condition of the water and the health of the critters that live condition of the water and the health of the critters that live in it.in it.

Scientists collect water in lots of different ways. They use Scientists collect water in lots of different ways. They use boats to go out in the middle of lakes, they wade into boats to go out in the middle of lakes, they wade into

streams wearing rubber boots that go up to their chests, streams wearing rubber boots that go up to their chests, they drop buckets over the sides of bridges—they’ll do they drop buckets over the sides of bridges—they’ll do

almost anything to get a sample.almost anything to get a sample.

How do we measure the quality of our How do we measure the quality of our waters?waters?

What are the effects of water pollution?What are the effects of water pollution?

What can we do to keep our What can we do to keep our waters clean?waters clean?• Conserve water by turning off the tap when running water is Conserve water by turning off the tap when running water is not necessary. This helps prevent water shortages and not necessary. This helps prevent water shortages and reduces the amount of contaminated water that needs reduces the amount of contaminated water that needs treatment.treatment.•Use environmentally household products, such as washing Use environmentally household products, such as washing powder, household cleaning agents and toiletries.powder, household cleaning agents and toiletries.•By having more plants in your garden you are preventing By having more plants in your garden you are preventing fertilizer, pesticides and contaminated water from running off fertilizer, pesticides and contaminated water from running off into nearby water sources.into nearby water sources.• Don’t throw litter into rivers, lakes or oceans. Help clean up Don’t throw litter into rivers, lakes or oceans. Help clean up any litter you see on beaches or in rivers and lakes, make 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 sure it is safe to collect the litter and put it in a nearby dustbin.dustbin.

Would you like to drink Would you like to drink or live in polluted or live in polluted

water?water?

I donI don’’t think so...t think so...