Two Classifications of Water Pollution Sources

The two classifications of water pollution sources are point and nonpoint; both yield detrimental results for the environment. Point source pollution refers to pollutants that are introduced to a waterway through a direct mean, such as a factory. As seen below, shipyards add pollutants to the water. Other examples of point source pollution are discharges from sewage plants, factories, and storm drains.

Nonpoint source pollution refers to pollutants that have been diffused and are introduced to water indirectly. Some examples of nonpoint source pollution are oil, grease, sediment from improperly managed construction sites, crop and forest lands; salt from irrigation practices, bacteria and nutrients from livestock, atmospheric deposition, and toxic chemicals from urban runoff and energy production.




The causes of water pollutants are described in the examples previously mentioned. The effects vary but usually include poison seeping into drinking water and animals that are used for food, unbalanced river and lake ecosystems, and deforestation to name a few.
Pollution is generally detected by means of physical tests such as temperature based tests, solid concentration tests, and turbidity evaluations; biological tests that use animals and plants as indicators; and chemical tests that look for metals, nutrients, and pollutants in the water. (http://www.lenntech.com/water-pollution-faq.htm) (http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/Ag_Runoff_Fact_Sheet.pdf)

Outside of the realm of treating already polluted water by killing bacteria or sorting chemicals out of the water, the best way to avoid water pollution is to utilize preventative measures. For example, farmers should take note to not overuse fertilizer and perhaps even begin a regimen of biodynamic farming. In addition, settling ponds and buffer zones can be used to help prevent pollutants from entering streams. Similarly, fertilizers in residential lawns should be eliminated in a collective effort to reduce water pollution and chemicals like paint, oil, and antifreeze should be disposed of properly. Also, wetlands should be preserved, as they act as natural buffer zones to prevent pollution from entering main water sources. (http://www.grinningplanet.com/2008/01-08/water-pollution-solutions-article.htm)

Some health effects of water pollution are birth defects, cancer, immune system suppression, reproductive failure, acute poisoning, typhoid fever, kidney damage, general organ failure, and Cholera. (http://pollution-control.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_effects_of_water_pollution_on_health) (www.waterpollution.org.uk/health)

Developed countries are less at risk for water pollution because of their treatment facilities. In third world countries where the population is abundant and the area is small, the chances for pollution are exemplified and specifically, water achieves high levels of pollution much more quickly. In addition, poor nations suffer from environmental hardship because oftentimes production is high and pollution is unrestricted. Unfortunately, Western nations also tend to drop their waste into third world countries' rivers. (http://pollution-control.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_effects_of_water_pollution_on_health)


Photo Credit:
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2. http://www.ewg.org/project/2009tapwater/graph/G6.jpg
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