8.3.2.2 Water Pollution - 2

Chapter 22 Part 2Sources

Groundwater PollutionLong Island & saltwater intrusion,

subsidenceManaging & Improving Water Quality in a

crowded world

2

1. Sources of Water Pollution:Point source pollution – discharged from specific pipes, sewers, mines or factories • easy to control legislatively because can identify the

culprit

http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_pollution/media/supp_pol03a.html for definitions

Point vs. Non-point SourcesNon-point source pollution (polluted runoff) – many unidentifiable sources may contribute. Very hard to control• all the farms along the Missouri & Mississippi Rivers add

salt, sediment & fertilizers & pesticides down to the Dead Zone

• storm drains carry water from streets (polluted by cars & trucks) down to local water bodies.

• Many small contributions cause a HUGE problem– Municipal water pollution – sewers, especially combined sewer system mixes

urban runoff from storm drains with wastes (sewage) from residences & factories

– Agricultural water pollution – nutrients from hog farms, pesticides & fertilizers

– Industrial wastes – food processing plants high BOD already decomposing; pulp & paper mills toxic compounds and sludge effluents.

2. Groundwater PollutionSources: • Leachate from municipal landfills • Underground storage (fuel?) tanks– MTBE (Methyl tertiary butyl ether) a gasoline

additive to reduce vehicle emissions, gets into groundwater and may be carcinogenic. (we try to solve one problem – air pollution -- & we end up causing another problem – groundwater contamination)

• golf courses, monocultures, & suburban lawns– Nitrates (fertilizers, manure) convert to nitrites in

human metabolic processes; nitrites reduce oxygen transport in blood blue baby syndrome & stomach cancers

The solution? Vapor extractors (aka strippers) at 1,000,000 each. Several along Marcus Avenue

A million dollar stripper:

Groundwater on Long Island

Groundwater on Long Island: saltwater intrusion

Managing Pollution & Improving Quality1. Use Sewage Treatment Plants (like GNWPCD) in areas too densely populated for cesspools or septic systems

Managing Pollution & Improving Quality2. REDUCE our demand (shorter showers!), REUSE the water (grey water), & RECYCLE (treat) it

Another REUSE of wastewater

Other ways to reduce, reuse or recycle

• What about side-stepping the entire sewage issue with a composting toilet?

• How about a toilet that separates urine from fecal material for future application as fertilizers?

• Maybe just decrease the volume of water that a toilet uses to flush?

Other ways to reduce, reuse or recycle• Construct wetlands to clean septic or agricultural

wastewater to make it fit for our consumption as in Arizona

Other ways to reduce, reuse or recycle• A Tall, Cool Drink of …Sewage?

Orange County CA has upgraded its sewage treatment plants to make sewage potable. Yes, potable means you drink it and it doesn’t make you sick. Wow.Read the Article (posted on iTunes U). Answer the questions. Note that important passages are highlighted. Highlight more on your own.