The ugly cousin of all this modern use of water resources is the pollution and disruption of natural systems. For example, when a factory uses water as a coolant, the water becomes warm. Often times when this heated water is dumped into thermally sound waterways, it increases the overall temperature of the water. This may not seem harmful, but the problem is that warm water cannot hold much dissolved oxygen. The result is suffocation of many living organisms in the water that require dissolved oxygen. Much wildlife dies as a result of this pollution.
Another problem is sewage dumping. With sewage there is a gross excess of nutrients; namely nitrates and phosphates. Although this situation may seem good, given that a tremendous surge in plant and especially algae growth occurs, in fact, it is tragic. After the bloom season passes, all the formerly living surplus plants die, and decompose. Decomposition requires oxygen. When there is more detritus decomposing than any given ecosystem can support, the dissolved oxygen level drops dangerously low. This process is called eutrophication, and can ruin a body of water.
A major source of fresh water is today’s society is ground water. This water is usually stored in aquifers, or underground waterways. Sometimes, these aquifers are drained excessive and cannot be filled in time to meet their original water amount. This process, called overdraft, can be more clearly defined as the drainage of a body of water more faster than it is filled. Due to overdraft, problems such as subsidence and saltwater intrusion. Subsidence is when the water within the aquifers decreases, and pressure from the outside is so great the that the overlying land sinks. Salt water intrusion happens when salt water from the ocean begins to intrude the freshwater aquifers and ruins the water supply.
Most people are ignorant to the fact that water conservation begins with something as simple as turning the water off when brushing teeth. Some basic things that you can do are as follows:
- use a low-flow shower head to conserve water
- take showers for less time (remember showering is a luxury)
- use water-saver toilet
- "when yellow keep it mellow
when brown flush it down" - don’t flush every time you go
- use low flow shower heads
- water plants directly, instead of sprinklers
- use water that don’t require a lot of water
The links on this page will include further information about conservation, water quality factors, and purification techniques.
Links to other sites on the Web
Water Effects on Enviorment
Conservation of Water
Water Quality Terms
Glossary of Words Pertaining to Water Quality
Water Quality
Page 4 - Imapcts on Water Resources
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