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Ten Things You Can Do To Reduce Water Pollution

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Ten Things You Can Do To Reduce Water Pollution

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“Just because it disappears, doesn’t mean it goes away”

1. DO NOT pour fat from cooking or any other type of fat, oil, or grease down the sink. Keep a “fat jar” under the sink to collect the fat and discard in the solid waste when full.

2. DO NOT dispose of household chemicals or cleaning agents down the sink or toilet. Simsbury has a Hazardous Waste Collection day usually from 8:00am to 1:00pm at Henry James School. Connecticut Resource Recovery Authority lists all collection dates.

3. DO NOT flush pills, liquid or powder medications or drugs down the toilet. For recommendations on proper disposal for all types of medical wastes, visit the CT DEP publication here.

4. Avoid using the toilet as a wastebasket. Most tissues, wrappers, dust cloths, and other paper goods should be properly discarded in a wastebasket. The fiber reinforced cleaning products that have become popular should never be discarded in the toilet.

5. Avoid using a garbage disposal. Keep solid wastes solid. Make a compost pile from vegetable scraps.

6. Install a water efficient toilet. In the meantime, put a brick or 1/2 gal container in the standard toilet tank to reduce water use per flush.

7. Run the dishwasher or clothes washer only when you have a full load. This conserves electricity and water.

8. Use the minimum amount of detergent and/or bleach when you are washing clothes or dishes. Use only phosphate free soaps and detergents.

9. Minimize the use of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers. DO NOT dispose of these chemicals, motor oil, or other automotive fluids into the sanitary sewer or storm sewer systems. Both of them end at the river.

10. If your home has a sump pump or cellar drain, make certain it does not drain into the sanitary sewer system. If you are unsure, please call Simsbury Water Pollution Control at (860) 658-1380 and we can assist in determining the discharge point.

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Ten Things You Can Do To Reduce Water Pollution

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DO NOT pour fat from cooking or any other type of fat, oil, or grease down the sink. Keep a "fat jar" under the sink to collect the fat and discard in the solid waste when full.DO NOT dispose of household chemicals or cleaning agents down the sink or toilet.

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Use less plastic

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Do Not Dispose of Oils in the Sink

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Just Do Not Litter!

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Water pollution is defined as contamination of water bodies which includes lakes, rivers, oceans, and groundwater. We all know how the pollution of our water is a major issue, especially as we ramp up our production of potentially harmful substances. Not only does water pollution result in contaminated water, but it also hurts the wildlife that depends on safe water for survival.

With increased global warming and climate change, our planet is already reeling under an acute water crisis. Moreover, with the population of this world growing at an explosive rate, the water resources are also getting polluted at a higher rate. Water pollution-related problems and issues have been growing at a rapid pace and this in turn leading to more waterborne diseases.

Water and air, the two essential fluids on which all life depends, have become global garbage cans.

~ Jacques Yves Cousteau

While there is no single short step to stop water pollution, there are a number of things that we can do in our daily lifestyle to reduce water pollution. The best way to clean the polluted water is not to clean the polluted water but to stop polluting.
Here we have compiled a list of 30+ such ways that can help you to reduce water pollution and make it safe for animals, unique. organisms and ecosystems that are being harmed and becoming extinct at an alarming rate.
30+ Simple and Easy Ways to Reduce Water Pollution Now

Let's have a look at 30+ easy and simple ways that you can do to reduce the water pollution going on today.

1. Use Less Plastic

It is very difficult to break down plastic after it is produced. Much of the plastic we consume ends up in the world's water supply, where it is even harder to fish out and safely throw away.

If you can use as few plastic items as possible, you are helping the environment. Plastic waste also spreads decay in the water supply.

2. Reuse Items

Whenever you buy something that is not recyclable, such as plastic, it is better to reuse this item as many times as possible. This habit limits your consumption and means less of those products will end up in the world's rivers, lakes, and oceans.

3. Recyclable Options

If there are two options for a particular item, try to pick the one that is easily recyclable. Glass bottles are much better for the environment than plastic, for example.

While there is nothing wrong with consuming oils in your food or applying them on your body, it is a bad idea to dispose of grease, fat and used cooking oil in the sink or down the drain.

It is better to dispose of oils in the garbage, or collect all your excess oil in one bottle and then throw that away.

5. Cleaning Chemicals

Similar to oils, cleaning chemicals are hazardous when they enter the water supply. If you are emptying containers of household cleaning supplies, do it in the trash can, not in the sink.

6. Handle Toxic Chemicals Properly

The toxic chemicals like ammonia, bleach, paint, paint thinner, and many other chemicals are becoming a severe problem, and if these are dumped down the drain or the toilet, the effects add up. Therefore proper disposal of these is important.

There are many recycling centers and drop-off sites for safe disposal of these hazardous wastes that can take the old paint, used motor oil, and other chemicals and recycle them.

7. Shop to Stop Water Pollution

Try to avoid buying products that contain persistent and dangerous chemicals in the first place. Nowadays, companies are selling non-toxic cleaners and biodegradable cleaners and pesticides.

If you spend a little extra money on those products, it automatically cuts down on water pollution.

8. Do Not Throw Away Medicines

Never throw away medicines in the water supply, either. Even if you do not need them, it is a bad idea to flush pills, liquid or powder medications or drugs down the toilet or crush them in your kitchen sink disposal.

Hormones and other compounds end up causing adverse effects on fish and other aquatic wildlife, on septic systems and contaminate drinking water. Follow the safe way for proper disposal for all types of medical wastes.

9. Avoid Toilets For Throwing Household Items

Do not throw household items, such as dust cloths, tissues, dental floss, wrappers, and other paper goods into the toilet when you are done with them.

Toilet paper is specifically made in a way that breaks down easily in water pipes, but the fiber-reinforced cleaning products that pollute the system.

10. Garbage Disposal

Even though most homes have a garbage disposal system in the sink, it is better to use it as rarely as possible. This system can break down solid objects, but those items are harmful to the water supply. It is better to throw them in the trash can when possible.

11. Dishwashing or Laundry

Only use your dishwasher or washing machine when it is close to being full. Using these machines to clean one or two dishes or a few pairs of clothes is an incredible waste of water. The less amount of water you use during washing, the less you promote water pollution.

12. Limit the Use of Detergents and Bleaches

While it is okay to use detergents and bleaches in dishwashers and washing machines, it is better to limit your use as much as possible. Do not put two cups of bleach in your washing machine when the instructions only call for half a cup.

13. Use Phosphate-Free Detergent

Phosphates present in cleaners are harmful chemicals. Phosphates lead to algae blooms and reduce the oxygen in the water that kills fish and other aquatic animals.

14. Use Environmentally Friendly Detergents

Whenever possible, get environmentally friendly detergents, soaps, and dishwashing liquids. While these are sometimes more expensive, you are doing the environment a great service by using less harmful substances.

15. Gardening

While everyone wants a nice garden in their home, it is incredible how much water we waste during that process. Install a rainwater harvesting pit in your home because it can catch rainfall throughout the year and allow you to use that to water your grass and plants.

16. Avoid Pesticides

If you need to overhaul your garden, attempt to do so without using any herbicides or pesticides. These are very harmful to the environmen t. Talk to landscaping companies in your area about environmentally-friendly replacements for these products.

17. Conserve Soil

When chemicals get into the soil, they spread through the water because of the topsoil getting carried by the falling rain. This is normal, but if the soil is exposed to excess phosphates or harmful substances, it can cause serious damage to the ground. Contrast banks right in front of waterways so that you can stop the soil's movement.

18. Do Regular Car Maintenance

In case you have a car, truck, or another mechanical device, you should try to take it for maintenance after regular intervals. Oil and other fluids that leak from motor vehicles end up in the local water system or running off into creeks and streams.

This runoff problem can be easily solved if you are diligent about maintaining and repairing your vehicles. Leaky seals, hoses, and gaskets tend to become expensive mechanical problems. Replacing the worn parts can also save you money.

This ensures the item is running efficiently and not polluting the environment that much. Remember, pollution in the air does have an eventual impact on our water supply.

19. Oil Spill

The waste that gathers up when you are working on your car or other mechanical devices is harmful to the environment. Oil and transmission fluid are two examples of substances you do not want in your drains or sewers.

20. Cellar Drains or Septic Tanks

If you have a cellar drain or septic tank, be sure that it is not draining directly into your sewerage system. This can cause serious issues and pollution in the system. Talk to your local water authority about proper ways to manage a cellar drain or septic tank.

21. Just Do Not Litter!

If you are visiting an area where there is a nearby lake, river, or ocean, do not throw any type of litter or trash into or near the water. Even if you throw away a wrapper on the beach, the tide will eventually pick it up and take it into the water supply.

22. Use Water Sparingly

Turn off the tap while you are brushing your teeth. Bathing actually uses a lot more water than showering. But do not take 20-minute showers when 10 minutes is all you need. Every bit of water you conserve is a way to help the environment.

Install a water-efficient toilet. For the time being, a brick or 1/2 gal container can be used in the standard toilet tank to reduce water use per flush.

23. Plant Fauna at Lakes or Rivers

If you live in an area where a lake or river is present, you might want to think about planting some local fauna near the water.

Trees are also helpful. Not only do they look beautiful when they grow, but these natural items reduce erosion that washes pollution into the water and help protect the nearby water supply from pollutants. Fauna also limits the Carbon Dioxide in the water, which balances out its pH level.

24. Clean Up Litter

If you see someone littering near water, ask them to keep their items and throw them somewhere else. If you see litter on the floor, pick it up and put it in a bag and throw it away when you get home. It is easy to think that someone else will do the job, but we can all help each other and our environment by being proactive.

25. Stop Chemical Pollution

If you notice someone throwing chemicals into the water, or hear about such an incident, talk to your local water authorities about the matter. Tell them what you saw or know and implore them to take action. If you stay quiet, you are letting the problem get worse.

26. Eat Organic Food More

Sticking to an organic diet reduces the amount of chemical pollution that ends up in the water. Organic foods tend to be produced with few synthetic chemicals.

27. Choose Food Wisely

The food we choose to eat has a severe impact on the quality of the environment. The chemicals used to grow food, the fuel used for transportation of the crops, and the fuel used to run farm equipment on industrial farms ultimately impact the environment.

28. Buy Sustainable Meats

While you enjoy a hamburger from time to time, it is essential to think about the impact of factory farms on our water supply. These farms produce huge amounts of waste, which ends up harming the nearby water supplies.

Whenever possible, buy sustainable meats instead of those produced at factory farms.

29. Best Is Cutting Down on Meat Consumption

Animals that are raised for meat takes lots of water for the food and grains they need, as well as to keep them alive. Moreover, the antibiotics and solid waste both tend to end up in groundwater and rivers.

30. Stop Immersion of Ashes in the River

While it is a common practice, especially in the Hindu religion, to immerse the ashes of a deceased person into the holy water of sacred river Ganga, it pollutes the river water and adversely affects the water quality.

Dead bodies are cremated on the river banks. Partially burnt bodies are also flung into the river to keep up with religious faiths.

31. Join Water Conservation Organizations

If you have time, you can join a water conservation organization. If you have a busy schedule, consider donating to a nearby organization a few times a year. Even small donations can have a positive impact on those who are fighting to keep our water supply safe and healthy.

32. Volunteer and help Cleaning of Beaches, Rivers and Locality

Sometimes you cannot afford to donate, but you can volunteer to help clean up the local rivers or beaches or help collect thrown away chemicals from local residents. Some environmental groups regularly need volunteer labor, join them.
References: Solution to Water Pollution Water Pollution by WWF Problems of Water Pollution by NCBI Water Pollution Facts by UNESCO

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30+ Simple and Easy Ways to Reduce Water Pollution That Nobody Would Tell You - Conserve Energy Future

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Water pollution is defined as contamination of water bodies which includes lakes, rivers, oceans and groundwater. We all know how the pollution of our water is a major issue, especially as we ramp up our production of potentially harmful substances.

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While the largest ocean covers one-third of the planet's surface, the smallest oceans and seas don't have such an impressive resume. However, they are important for resources, trade, recreation, and the economy.

It might surprise you to know that the world's smallest ocean is still 1.5 times the size of the US. Many seas are much smaller than that, and we'll let you know which ones below.

Top 10 World's Smallest Oceans and Seas

You might not recognize every name on this list, but here are some of the globe's tiniest oceans and seas:

10. Alboran Sea

At just over 20,000 square miles, the Alboran Sea is quite small. This sea, which lies in the Western Mediterranean, falls between the Strait of Gibraltar and Africa. It is the transition zone between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

Although the Alboran Sea's coastline spans three countries, the Spanish have assumed control of the waterway's coastline in Algeria and Morocco.

Some of the world's smallest seas are the most special. The Alboran Sea is home to the greatest population of bottlenose dolphins and has the only harbor porpoises in the Mediterranean Sea. Large numbers of plankton provide oxygen for the marine animals that live here.

9. Adriatic Sea

The Adriatic Sea covers about 53,500 square miles within the Mediterranean Sea. Its maximum depth is 4,035 feet.

Bordered by Italy and Croatia, the Adriatic Sea is dotted with many small islands and has some dangerous, fjord-like areas between them. However, the islands lie mostly along the Croatian coast. The Italian coastline is smooth and continuous.

The tides in the Adriatic are different from the tides in the Mediterranean. They have a range of about 3 feet, whereas the Mediterranean tidal range is closer to 1 foot. The tides in the Adriatic Sea also exhibit a different pattern than Mediterranean tides.

Because of its low nutrient content, the Adriatic Sea has limited biodiversity. Still, there is enough sea life to make the area a treasure for divers. The crystal-clear water is another reason that people are attracted to the Adriatic Sea.

8. Hudson Bay

You may not know that the Hudson Bay is actually a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean. Combined with the Hudson Strait, the Hudson Bay creates an inland sea system where saltwater and freshwater mix.

The Hudson Bay covers about 474,000 square miles. Its deepest point is 890 feet. Even though it is one of the smallest seas, it is the world's second-largest bay.
(You can read about the Largest Oceans and Seas)

The northern part of the bay has a polar climate. This is unusual for an area that lies below the 60 degrees north latitude line. The water usually freezes from mid-winter to early summer. But the length of time that the Hudson Bay spends frozen is shorter every year.

In the summers, about 50,000 beluga whales flock to the Hudson Bay. In the winter, polar bears hunt on the frozen ice. But not many people live along its coast.

Because the Hudson Bay is covered by ice for a large part of the year and receives a lot of runoff from the land, it has a low salinity level. The freezing point of the water is also higher than in many other oceans and seas.

7. Yellow Sea

The Yellow Sea gets its name from the sediment that flows into it from nearby rivers. The soil is rich with minerals that lend their color to the water. However, pollution from industrial and domestic runoff is turning the sea more brown than yellow.

The Yellow Sea is one of the shallowest in the world. Its average depth is between 120 and 240 feet. The sea is 146,719 square miles in area. Although the Yellow Sea contains saltwater, its salinity is fairly low. The salinity drops even further during monsoon season.

This area is the most important region for the millions of birds that migrate through the East Asian-Australasian Flyway every year. Approximately 600 million people live in the Yellow Sea's catchment area.

6. Baltic Sea

The Baltic Sea covers an area of about 151,000 square miles. Its coastline runs for about 5,000 miles. At the deepest point, the bottom of the sea is 180 feet below sea level. This is a relatively shallow sea that developed when the ice sheets retreated about 10,000 to 15,000 years ago.

The Baltic Sea naturally connects to the Atlantic Ocean via the Danish Straits. It also connects to the White Sea via a man-made canal.

The Baltic Sea lies along the northern coast of Europe. It has a cold climate and has frozen 20 times, the most recent being in 1987. About half of its surface area is usually frozen in the winter.

In addition to being one of the smallest seas, the Baltic is the youngest. It is also the largest brackish water sea in the world. The sea is contained by land and receives a great deal of runoff from the surrounding areas. Therefore, it has a unique environment.

In the Middle Ages, the Baltic Sea was an essential trade route. However, fishing and trading are less significant in the area than they once were.

5. Persian Gulf

You might not realize that the Persian Gulf is a sea. It is considered a marginal sea of the Indian Ocean. The gulf spans an area of about 93,000 square miles between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. Its narrowest area is only 35 miles wide, and it is only 300 feet deep. The Persian Gulf is fairly young compared to other oceans and seas. It formed only about 15,000 years ago.

The ecology of the Persian Gulf was once strong. However, industrialization and oil spills have damaged the environment. Artificial islands that lie in the sea, which draw tourism, have also harmed the mangrove forests, which provide homes and food for much of the area's wildlife.

One of the most notable creatures found in the Persian Gulf is the dugong dugan. This sea cow is a relative of the manatee and the only herbivorous sea mammal.

4. Sea of Cortez

Many people call the Sea of Cortez the Gulf of California. This body of water falls between Mexico and the Baja peninsula.

The marine life in the Sea of Cortez is plentiful. Even though the sea covers only 62,000 square miles, it offers legendary snorkeling and scuba diving. Jacques Cousteau once called the Sea of Cortez "nature's aquarium" for its impressive sprinkling of wildlife. The Sea of Cortez is home to whale sharks, orcas, leatherback sea turtles, and blue whales.

More than 9,000 islands sit in the Sea of Cortez, providing nesting spots for birds. This is an ideal destination for seeing some nature while you bask in the mild climate. Not to mention, 70 percent of Mexico's commercial fish come from the Sea of Cortez, and the area is home to more than 900 fish species.

3. Sea of Marmara

Although experts dispute which sea is actually the smallest, most agree that the Sea of Marmara is the one. Covering only about 7,053 square feet, this sea is in Turkey. It connects the Aegean and Black Seas and has many gulfs along its coastline.

This sea gets its name from Marmara Island, a word which comes from the Greek word for marble. Marmara Island is rich in marble. Some of the other islands that lie in this sea are Avsa, Imrali, Prince Islands, Pasalimani, and Ekinlik Islands.

If you're looking for an untouched, pristine body of water, look no further than the Ross Sea. You'll have to travel quite a distance to get here, though. The sea lies in Antarctica, in the Southern Ocean.

The Ross Sea features one of the largest ice shelves in the world. The 200-foot-tall ice cliffs look impressive, and they extend even farther below the surface of the water.

Adélie penguin colonies have lived in the Ross Sea for millions of years. The birds lay eggs on the small, rocky areas that aren't covered by ice.

1. Arctic Ocean

The Arctic Ocean is the world's smallest ocean. Its waters are usually covered with ice, but unique and plentiful animal life flourishes beneath the cold surface.

The Arctic Ocean covers about 5.4 million square miles. It is the only ocean that is smaller than Russia. Perhaps because it is the smallest ocean and lies in one of the coldest areas of the world, the Arctic Ocean is warming faster than any other ocean or sea in the world. It could become ice-free within the next 100 years.

However, the area is threatened by the development of natural resources such as oil, overfishing, mining, and shipping. Although the Arctic Ocean is the smallest in the world, it would have a big impact if all of its ice melted.

Weather patterns around the world would change. The more than 400,000 indigenous people who live in the Arctic would have to relocate as their shorelines eroded. Sea ice reflects sunlight and helps reduce the planet's temperature. If the ice melts in this smallest ocean, global warming could intensify.

Other Small Oceans and Seas Worthy of Mention

Gulf of Alaska: 591,900 square miles

Andaman Sea: 307,994 square miles

Solomon Sea: 277,994 square miles

Visayan Sea: 3,861 square miles

These may be the world's smallest oceans and seas, but each one is noteworthy for some reason. All of the world's bodies of water are important, and many of these smaller oceans and seas have ecological, financial, or environmental significance.

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Top 10 World's Smallest Oceans And Seas | In Smooth Waters

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While the largest ocean covers one-third of the planet's surface, the smallest oceans and seas don't have such an impressive resume. However, they are important for resources, trade, recreation, and the economy. It might surprise you to know that the world's smallest ocean is still 1.5 times the size of the US.