Water Pollution and Other Environmental Issues in San Diego - Article Example

Water Pollution in San Diego Environmental issues pose a threat to humanity. Therefore, there is a need for urgent measures to guarantee that there is a permanent solution for this predicament (Biggs, Trent, and Heather D’Anna 627). It is obvious that the environmental issues will have an impact on future generations if the present cohort fails to take action. There are many cases of environmental issues, including desertification, air and water pollution and flooding (Tijuana River Valley Recovery Team 43). All these environmental issues are a social problem that gained momentum in the recent times. In this view, the focus will be on the contemporary issue of water pollution in San Diego. Causes and Forms of Water Pollution in San Diego Water pollution means the infliction of some damage to the lakes, an ocean, river or any other water source. It renders the water unsafe not only for human consumption, but it also threatens the marine life (Parnell, et.al., 21). San Diego County is among the states that are reeling from the effects of water pollution. It is very distressing that the county has to import 80% of her water from Northern California and Colorado River because of the impacts of water pollution. Water pollution is simply the poor quality of water. Water pollution in San Diego is mostly non point source pollution. It implies that pollution comes from many rather than a single source. The urban runoff also known as storm water poses as the greatest threat to water pollution in San Diego. It refers to a situation where rainwater washes over man-made surfaces. The water absorbs the materials collected on the surface such as grease, pesticides, oil, metals, litter and toxic chemicals. The county, thus experiences ‘first flush’ and this causes high levels of water pollution. Estimations reveal that about 78% of marine debris comes from the land. These include plastic materials that account for the majority of the debris. Industrial and construction sites promote water pollution. They drain their wastes into the water sources and this poses a risk to the marine life. Sewer overflows are also a source of water pollution. Theses sewage spills are rampant due to the inefficiency of water treatment plants (Tijuana River Valley Recovery Team 44). Pollution results from the lack of well-connected piping and this facilitate the flow of untreated sewerage into the waters. The fact that the storm drains have weak linkages with the sewer systems does not alleviate the situation. The storm water flows directly into water sources and this is the greatest challenge that thwarts the efforts to alleviate water pollution. Furthermore, wastewater from homes poses danger since discharging it into water sources results to contamination. Detergents and pesticides found in the wastewater ends up in the oceans and rivers. Implications of Water Pollution The effects of water pollution include waterborne infectious diseases like typhoid and cholera, contamination of recreational water, destruction of marine life, and loss of income for the anglers (Cummings 16). Water pollution hinders marine activities. Consumption of the fish poses health risks since pollutants may build up in the fish tissues (Parnell, et.al., 22). The implication of water pollution is that the residents face restrictions to access the beach and this can negatively affect tourism (Biggs, Trent W., and Heather D’Anna 629). Furthermore, the large costs incurred to solve this problem of water pollution are likely to affect the residents through increased taxation. For instance, the San Diego County estimates that it will spend billions of dollars to rectify this situation. It is hence obvious that the problem of water pollution affects all the aspects of life for the people of San Diego. Solutions to Alleviate Water Pollution It is imperative to understand that the impacts of water pollution affect all the residents in equal measure. Therefore, the aspects of education and knowledge creation need to inculcate community empowerment and advocacy (Tijuana River Valley Recovery Team 45). Thus, this will ensure that the inhabitants will know their role in alleviating the dilemma of water pollution. Therefore, there is a need for conscious measures towards alleviating pollution. Eliminating the concern of water pollution is a collective responsibility of all residents of San Diego. Thus, the increased number of organizations with the aim of creating awareness about the pressing issue of water pollution (Vignola). For example, the Coast keeper is an organization that advises the San Diego residents about the effects of urban runoff. Founded in 1995, the group has the mandate of protecting the region’s beaches, bays, the ocean and watersheds. Its goal is to achieve community integration through creating awareness. Consequently, the association intends to end water pollution and consequently a healthy ecosystem. According to Coast keeper Executive Director Gale Filter, there are measures that the resident can take to reduce the storm water effect. They include using fewer insecticides and fertilizers, proper disposal of litter and recycling (Vignola). For example, recycling plastics can go assist to end water pollution. Recapturing and immediate treatment of the storm water by industrial and residential owners would go a long way towards reducing the incidences of water pollution. Moreover, harvesting rainwater is another measure that can alleviate water pollution. It helps in the decline of the amount of storm water that gets into the ocean and other water sources (Busse, Lillian and Bruce Posthumus 12). The harvested rainwater comes in handy for household use like flushing the toilet and gardening. It will also reduce the amount incurred in water bill expenses. The development of more sewage plants would help to treat and purify the sewage and this will save the oceans and ecosystems in San Diego. Think Blue is also another group in San Diego that aims at educating the locals on the need to conserve the water sources. It works jointly with the City of San Diego Storm Water Department to reduce the storm water pollution. They aim to create one Less Mess. The implication is that pollution reduction begins with a single individual and spread to the rest of the society (Think blue San Diego Region). Moreover, the organization embarks on an initiative dubbed ‘Think Blue go Green” aimed at creating less waste, sustainable consumption of water and increasing energy efficiency. The endeavor is to reduce water pollution by advocating for environmentally friendly behaviors. Reusing the reclaimed water is another alternative towards curbing water pollution. However, separation of the reclaimed water pipes from the drinking water pipes is vital to avoid contamination. The reclaimed water has many uses, including irrigation of parks, schoolyards, extinguishing fires, washing vehicles and irrigation purposes (Cummings 17). Gray water is used water from the houses. Although it may appear dirty, it is safe and beneficial to use in irrigation of the plants around the home. There is a need to implement laws that regulate and limit pollution. Environmental laws make it tougher for people to pollute thus creating accountability (Busse, Lillian and Bruce Posthumus 13). Factories that pollute the waters can face the consequences. Adoption of the polluter pays principle can help in ensuring that whoever causes pollution has to pay to clean it up. These laws should aim at encouraging the ideals of reusing and recycling. The polluter pays principle ultimately deters people from polluting and they will behave in environmentally friendly ways. The San Diego regional Water Quality control Board adoption of a plan to reduce the pollution that flows into beaches, creeks and rivers have seen some progress in the reduction of water pollution. It focuses on plans that set limits on the degree of pollution that industries and homes discharge into the waters (Biggs, Trent W., and Heather D’Anna 630). The goal is to work with the Environmental protection agency to achieve the objective of lowering the pollution levels. The need to prioritize water conservation is evident in San Diego. Hence, this has seen the joint efforts of various stakeholders bear fruit. For example, last year saw the county council members support a plan aimed at transforming the city’s wastewater management into a source of pure and clean drinking water (Vignola). The anticipation is that it will provide 80 to100 million gallons of water. Achieving the goal of water conservation will aid in the decrease of the water pollution problem. Overall, pollution is a choice that people make. Hence, there is a need for the residents of San Diego to come together in a bid to keep the environment clean. It will ensure that the people, plants and animals remain healthy (Cummings 18). Individual action is hence essential to help reduce water pollution. For example, by using environmentally friendly detergents, reducing and controlling pesticide and fertilizer use. The industries and factories must regulate the pollutants that they discharge into the waters (Parnell, et.al., 23). They should not pour oil spills and other litters into the water. Community action is also crucial towards ensuring a cleaner environment. The people of San Diego should come together in cleaning the beaches and collecting litter in a bid to safeguard the environment. Through working together, the inhabitants of San Diego can make pollution a lesser problem. Accordingly, this can ultimately contribute to a better world devoid of pollution. Works Cited Biggs, Trent W., and Heather D’Anna. "Rapid increase in copper concentrations in a new Marina, San Diego Bay." Marine Pollution Bulletin 64.3 (2012): 627-630. Print. Busse, Lilian, and Bruce Posthumus. A Framework for monitoring and assessment in the San Diego Region: working draft. San Diego, Calif.: California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Diego Region, (2012): 11-13 Print. Cummings, Anna. "Sea of Garbage." New Internationalist 415 (2010): 16-18. Parnell, P. Ed, Ami K. Groce, Timothy D. Stebbins, and Paul K. Dayton.)"Discriminating Sources of PCB contamination in fish on the coastal shelf off San Diego, California (USA)." Marine Pollution Bulletin 56.12 (2008): (1992-2002): 21-23. Print. Recovery strategy: living with the water. San Diego, Calif.: Tijuana River Valley Recovery Team, (2012): 43-45. Print. Think blue San Diego Region: storm water-coloring book : libro para colorear.. San Diego, Calif.: The City of San Diego, Think Blue, 2013. Print. 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