Water Pollution Statistics
The Importance of Learning Water Pollution Statistics
Most people have no clue what water pollution statistics are for the city where they live and if they did, chances are good they would immediately switch to bottled water or have some type of water filtration system installed. Because so much attention has been focused on water quality in the past few years, finding current statistics is not difficult. The good news is that water treatment plants around the country have taken serious strides to improve water quality. For many, success has been achieved to some degree.
Interestingly, we have seen a serious change in the way people live in the past ten years. More and more people are working out, eating healthy and well-balanced meals, quitting smoking, giving up alcohol, etc, yet few people give thought to the quality of water they drink but also used to clean, shower with, etc. Anticipation is high that by showing people how water pollution statistics can be researched, appropriate changes in this area would be made as well.
We felt it was important enough to provide people with just a few examples of water pollution statistics so they can see for themselves why improving water quality around the country is such a vital issue. The information provided below came from in-depth and controlled studies so while some of the facts are alarming, they are also accurate.
- Most people living in the United States are just 10 miles or less away from a polluted body of water
- Approximately 40% of the country’s ponds, lakes, and rivers have prohibited both swimming and fishing because of water pollution
- Water that has been polluted or poisoned from soaps, detergents, and other environmentally harmful chemicals create what is referred to as “Grey Water.” Unfortunately, this kind of water poisons the ecosystem, which in turn kills fish and wildlife.
- Cruise ships are responsible for producing more than 200,000 gallons of raw sewage dumped directly into the ocean’s water while in transit. In addition, another 35,000 pounds of bilge water, which includes diesel fuel, oil, and other pollutants is dumped as well.
- One of the water pollution statistics that most people give little thought to is damage associated with littering, with plastic being by far the worst material. Every year, over 100,000 marine mammals are killed and many more injured, as well as one million seabirds and waterfowl dying because of plastic liter. In all, experts believe that littering is responsible for three to four million deaths annually.
- Another area for water pollution statistics that is often overlooked is contaminated groundwater. However, this water has been studies and tested, showing that approximately 250 million diseases such as dysentery, cholera, and typhoid are found in polluted groundwater. That means some eight million deaths occur as a direct result of this problem.
- Although water pollution statistics show that contaminated water with human waste is not a significant problem in the United States, there are areas of concern. However, this problem is extremely bad in Asia where rivers are not sanitary and in Ireland, 30% of the country’s rivers have been contaminated with raw human sewage or fertilizer.
Sadly, water is polluted in a number of ways and by different chemicals and toxins to include industry, agriculture, and homes. For industry pollution, the problem is direct disposal of waste that ends up in natural waterways. Within 12 months, the level of waste buildup is so significant, the body of water is deemed unsanitary. At that time, toxic gasses are emitted, which actually change the water temperature, and reduces the amount of oxygen, which then kills any organisms and aquatic animals living in the water.
Water pollution statistics for agriculture are also frightening. In this case, pollution comes from the use of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, fertilizers, and other chemicals used on crops. However, these chemicals seep into the soil, as well as wash out into ponds, lakes, streams, and rivers when it rains. Interestingly, of all causes of water pollution, people and poor decisions are number one.
With landfills overflowing from trash, it is common for all the pollutants to end up in the country’s water supply. If a septic system were to burst, all the polluted water would travel beneath the ground. Even when people dump out things like paint, antifreeze, gardening chemicals, etc in the sink, toilet, or down the outside drain, the pollutants reach water intended for drinking.
We also know that water pollution statistics are improving although information is still alarming. Realizing the seriousness of this problem, the government has implemented numerous programs so water treatment plants can purify water safe and clean enough to drink.