Download Environmental Health Unit: Water Pollution Lesson

Objectives:
•TSWBAT identify types, causes, dangers,
preventing, and treating water pollution.
•TSWBAT create solutions and actions to reduce
water pollution in our building and at home.
Why is water important?
Water Pollution
Water covers over 70% of the
Earth's surface and is a very
important resource for people and
the environment. Water pollution
affects drinking water, rivers,
lakes and oceans all over the
world. This consequently harms
human health and the natural
environment.
Types of Pollution
 Can come from a number of
different sources:
 Single source = point-source
pollution (oil spill)
 Many sources = nonpoint-source
pollution (fertilizers, toxic
chemicals, bacteria)
 Most affect the immediate area
surrounding the source.
 May affect the environment
hundreds of miles away from the
source = transboundary
pollution.
Sources of Water Pollution
 Runoff - when rainwater or melting snow
flows across the ground and into the water
supply (picks up pesticides, fertilizers, salts)
 Wastewater – used water from homes,
communities, farms, and businesses (can
contain pollutants such as human wastes and
pathogens)
 Sediment – runoff can carry soil and other
sediments into the water supply
 Oil – spills from oil tankers and offshore
drilling rigs can pollute the water
Great Garbage Patch
What do you think???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTurihxSTnI&feature=gr
ec_index
Dangers of Pollution
 Virtually all types of
water pollution are
harmful to the health of
humans and animals.
 Water pollution may not
damage our health
immediately but can be
harmful after long term
exposure.
How can you protect the
overwatering lawn and
environment?  Avoid
garden
 Practicing conservation
 Reduce the use of household
 Repair leaky faucets
 Don’t leave water

running unnecessarily
 Wait until you have a full 

load before doing
laundry or running the
dishwasher
 Install low flow

showerheads, toilets, and
faucet aerators
chemicals
Know how to discard hazardous
wastes
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Eat a bit less meat, especially
beef. A typical hamburger can
take 630 gallons to produce.
"The Hidden Water We Use”
Buy less stuff. Everything takes
water to make. So if we buy less,
we shrink our water footprint.
Waste Disposal
 If wastes are not properly
contained or destroyed,
they can pollute the land
and water we rely on to
live
 Many types of waste are
biodegradable (able to
be broken down by
microorganisms in the
environment)
 Solid waste – trash or
garbage
- Landfills (specially
engineered area where
waste can be buried safely)
- Incineration (burning
wastes in specially
designed incinerators)
Hazardous Wastes
 Waste materials with
properties that make
them dangerous to
human health or the
environment
 Corrosive, chemically
unstable, highly
flammable, or toxic
 Most must be treated to
make them less harmful
before being discarded
 Industrial wastes – solvents used
for cleaning and degreasing,
sludge and wastewater
 Household wastes – pesticides,
paints, cleaning fluids, and
batteries
 Radioactive wastes – sources
such as nuclear power plants
produce wastes that emit
radiation
 Mercury – found in medical and
dental wastes and in certain
parts of cars
Preventing Pollution
 Conserve water
 Turn off the tap when running water is not necessary (helps prevent
water shortages & reduces amount of water needing treatment)
 Use tap water rather than bottled water (The US goes through 50
billion water bottles a year)
 Be careful about what you throw down your sink or toilet.
 Don't throw paints, oils or other forms of litter down the drain.
 Use environmentally friendly household products: The
production, use and disposal of environmentally unfriendly
products create pollution, groundwater contamination and other
threats to the ecosystem.
Preventing Pollution
 Don’t overuse pesticides and fertilizers
 This will prevent runoffs of the material into nearby
water sources.
 Plants in your garden: prevent fertilizer, pesticides &
contaminated water from running off into nearby
water sources.
 Don't throw litter into rivers, lakes or oceans.
 Help clean up any litter you see on beaches or in rivers
and lakes. Make sure it is safe to collect the litter and put
it in a nearby bin.
Preventing Pollution
 Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. Because
you’re saving hot water, you’ll also reduce your energy bill.
 If you’re in the market for a toilet, buy a low-volume, ultra
low-volume, or dual-flush model.
 Fix leaky faucets. All those wasted drops add up—
sometimes to 10-25 gallons a day.
 Run your dishwasher and washing machine only when full.
When it’s time to replace them, buy a water- and energyefficient model. Remember, saving water saves energy, and
saving energy saves water.
Preventing Pollution
 Eat a bit less meat, especially beef. A typical hamburger can take 630




gallons to produce. "The Hidden Water We Use”
Buy less stuff. Everything takes water to make. So if we buy less, we
shrink our water footprint.
Recycle plastics, glass, metals, and paper. Buy re-usable products rather
than throw-aways, as it takes water to make most everything.
Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth and washing the dishes.
Shave a minute or two off your shower time. Millions of people doing
even the little things makes a difference.
Know the source of your drinking water—the river, lake, or aquifer that
supplies your home. Once you know it, you’ll care about it. You just
won’t want to waste water.