Sustainability Plan to Combat Water Pollution - Essay Example

Water Resources Challenges Water Pollution Introduction Water is a necessary ingredient to sustain life on the planet. The growth of the major civilizations of the world can be traced along the riverbanks. These civilizations however never gave due importance to the problem of water pollution and need for clean water. The issue caught the attention only in the latter half of the second century. Research suggests that in ancient Rome sewers were used to carry and dump human wastes into the Tiber River. Continual deposition of wastes into the river caused widespread pollution, which led the Romans to construct aqueducts for obtaining cleaner water. Water borne diseases like Cholera and Typhoid caused rampage around the world with no proper treatment. History states that America also followed the Roman practice of depositing human wastes in rivers. With the beginning of Industrial Revolution, water pollution threw new challenges to the world. The continuous deposition of harmful chemicals, tannery and fertilizer products spread havoc menace and threatened the aquatic life. In modern times the huge influx of population and industries helps aggravate the effect of water pollution. Activities and action plans have already been initiated to combat water pollution yet a constant follow up and review of such is needed to help sustain a healthier environment. (Ferrara, N.D.). Sustainability Plan to combat Water Pollution The paper now focuses on to present a sustainability plan to combat the growing menace of water pollution in the United States of America. The sustainability plan presented will provide the action items that need to be taken in various areas relating to research and development of the effects of water pollution and spreading awareness on such. It will also encompass the schedule of the presentations to be made and will target the focus group to solve the purpose of making the action plan. Action Items Action Steps Timeline Research and Identify the effects of Water Pollution. The water pollution problem has essentially two types of sources viz. point and the non-point source. Point sources of water pollution refers to the emission of harmful substances like chemicals and industrial wastes to the body of water. On the other hand, the non-point source of water pollution signify the water being polluted by environmental causes. If the gushing rain water carries with it fertilizer components strewn over a field to rivers or lakes then it becomes a non-point source of water pollution. The non-point sources in comparison to the point sources are difficult to manage which threatens the aquatic life largely. (Kranz & Kifferstein, N.D.). A research shows that various types of water pollution exist in today’s date, which have variegated effects on the environment. Pollutants like heavy metals from industrial sources are deposited in lakes and rivers, which prove to be harmful to aquatic life. Again, microbial pollutants emitted from sewage tanks contaminate both aquatic and terrestrial life in the form of drinking water. The continuous deposition of organic waste products in the water column helps in the increase of aerobic algae, which in turn deletes the oxygen layer. It is commonly known as eutrophication and is responsible for the death of fish and other water animals. Moreover, the effects of acid rain help in making the water toxic for drinking and living purposes. High amount of suspended particles block sunlight from entering thus obstructing growth of plant and algae. (Water Pollution Guide, N.D.). The water pollution caused has severe side effects on the health of human beings. Effects of Microbial Water Pollution can lead to widespread epidemics like cholera and typhoid. Daily intake of polluted water can damage the heart and kidney of human beings. Prolonged effects of intake of contaminated water prove fatal for disturbing the blood circulation and the nervous system. (Effects of water pollution, 2009). Month 1-3 Develop an education program on the effects of water pollution An educational program needs to be developed to create awareness about the devastating effects of water pollution. It also will include suggestions regarding treatment of wastewater, controlling non-point source pollution and management of watersheds. Finally, it will conclude by sharing the benefits and advantages associated with the actions initiated. A typical wastewater treatment process needs to be chosen for the purpose. The process starts from Screening through which solid waste products are first removed. The water is then subjected to Grit Removal, which removes finer particles like stones and sand. Storm Tanks need to be created in this stage for storage of storm water in times if storm and heavy rainfall. This water is subsequently passed through the Grit Cleaning stage. What follows this stage is the Primary Treatment stage, which consists of Primary sedimentation of solids at the base. The treated water is then passed on to Biological Treatment, which remains the organic pollutants. The final stage consists of a tertiary treatment, which takes care of finer organic particles to make the water ready to intake. The advantages and benefits behind incorporating this treatment in the program are mainly to create safe water for drinking and keeping of aquatic life. (Foundation for Water Research, 2010). A discussion on Watershed Management to be given first states that watershed management is the way of protecting the lakes, streams and rivers from point and nonpoint source of water pollution. It states ten steps that needs to be taken for effective management of watersheds. Firstly, identification of the affected groups of the watershed must be made. Secondly, a watershed management body should be formed and dedicated the responsibility of managing the watersheds. Thirdly, identification of both long and short-term objectives should be made. Fourthly, identification of the most affected areas should be made and activities prioritized. The fifth point stresses on the involvement of the public to such activities through participation of volunteers. Sixth and seventh point stresses on development and implementation of the plan. Eighth and Ninth point states the development of brochures for providing public information and monitoring activities to ensure due conformity. Lastly, the plan to be effective must be re-assessed and properly reviewed. (Watershed Management, N.D.). Effective watershed management helps in the reduction of contamination in the water level and reduces the level of sediments in it. Month 1-3 Scheduling Presentation day and time The above program projected can be used to create awareness about effluent and watershed management techniques and can be organized in several American districts. The Home Owner’s Association of the districts will be summoned on a monthly basis to review the effects of the program. Recommendations of listing the program in the future agenda of Home Owners Association can be made. Month 4 Identify and invite community participants In this respect, the number of houses in each community of the districts taken must be counted. Leaflets can be made to create a mass appeal in the several communities. Month 4-5 Implications of the Plan made The plan made to create awareness about management of waste and watershed water has some essential advantages. Both the plans focused on target groups of people belonging to different communities will help better their standards if living. It will help reduce the spreading of epidemics and provide an effective and smarter way of managing water resources needed for daily needs. Disadvantages of Waste Water Treatment Process In regards to the above context, some essential disadvantages of wastewater treatment process needs be mentioned. The wastewater treatment process fails to remove biological nitrogen and phosphorus compounds. It requires to be conducted in a warmer environment to achieve the desired results. Further, the process is amenable to the effusion of toxic gases and may lead to explosion. (Anaerobic Digestion, N.D.). Conclusion Water pollution from ages has been a problem, which had left devastating effects of spreading widespread epidemics, which sometimes turned fatal. The causes of this type of pollution are manifold and include both domestic and industrial waste. It is unfortunate that the modern world is still not aware enough to combat the growing menace. Hence, effective programs need to be organized to help create mass awareness to the ill effects of the problem and measures that will be taken to find a solution to it. References 1. Anaerobic Digestion. (N.D.). Retrieved on September 25, 2010 from: http://www.anaerobic-digestion.com/html/pros___cons.html 2. “Effects of Water Pollution”, Scripeeps.com. (2009). Retrieved on September 25, 2010 from: http://scipeeps.com/effects-of-water-pollution/ 3. Ferrara, A. (N.D.). History. Retrieved on September 25, 2010 from: http://www.pollutionissues.com/Fo-Hi/History.html 4. Foundation for Water Research. (N.D.). Retrieved on September 25, 2010 from: http://www.euwfd.com/html/sewage_treatment.html 5. Krantz, D. & Kifferstein, B. (N.D.). Water Pollution and Society. Retrieved on September 25, 2010 from: http://www.umich.edu/~gs265/society/waterpollution.htm 6. Water Pollution Guide. (N.D.). Retrieved on September 25, 2010 from: http://www.water-pollution.org.uk/environment.html 7. Watershed Management, (N.D.). Retrieved on September 25, 2010 from: http://www.tentowns.org/10t/docs_etc/wtshdmgt.pdf Read More