Water Pollution Facts to Share with Your Children
Taking care of the environment has been a hot topic of conversation in global society lately, and for good reason—the effects of climate change and water pollution are harmful and occurring at a rapid rate. When you’re trying to explain the importance of taking care of the environment to your children, you might struggle to think of an age-appropriate way to share the most important information with them. This will help them understand the importance of taking care of the earth throughout their lives.
What is water pollution?
- Definition: Water pollution in Pisgah Forest, NC occurs when chemicals, waste products or other harmful substances cause a body of water to become contaminated and harmful to the fish, plants and other creatures that live there.
- Human causes: Much of water pollution comes from human causes, such as waste product, pesticides, landfill leakage, mining, fertilizers, silt from construction sites and trash. Much of water pollution is invisible to the naked eye, consisting of tiny particles of plastic floating in the water. Oil spills are another huge source of water pollution, which can occur when oil tankers spill millions of gallons into the ocean.
- Natural causes: Natural causes of water pollution include volcano eruptions, algae bloom and animal waste.
- Acid rain: Sometimes air pollution can have a direct effect on water pollution. When toxic chemicals, smoke and particles are released into the air, they can be captured by condensation and combine with rain to produce acid rain. Acid rain can be responsible for destroying entire ecosystems.
Effects of water pollution
- Harm to sea life: The tiny pieces of trash and other detritus that float in the water can harm sea life. Birds, fish and other sea animals mistake the trash for food or plankton, ingest it and die. This can further harm the water body’s delicate ecosystem. Sometimes the water is so saturated with pollution that there’s not enough oxygen for the fish to breathe. This can also happen with sewage—raw waste is broken down by bacteria in the water, which also thrives on oxygen. When the bacteria are present, they can use up so much oxygen that the fish can’t survive.
- Harm to humans. Some parts of the United States and many countries in other parts of the world often do not have access to the same kind of clean water as more advanced or fortunate locales. When they drink or cook with that water, they can get sick and sometimes even die. Water pollution in Pisgah Forest, NC and around the world can cause up to 3 million deaths each year.
As you can see, it’s very important to do our part to ensure that our water stays clean.
Test for water pollution in Pisgah Forest, NC
The more you know about your water, the better you’ll be able to address issues and ensure its cleanliness and safety. Contact Royal Water Works, Inc. and let us provide you with a robust report on your water, alongside recommendations for how to improve its quality. Schedule an appointment today.
Categorised in: Water Pollution