Water Quality and General Types of Water Pollution.

How is water transported from its source to its use site? What problems are associated with these practices?

Through the use of aqueducts or canals. Problems that arise are the fact that large amounts of water are diverted from their original end point and completely change the ecosystems that no longer are receiving water or limited amounts of water.

-How is water waste treated? -Septic Tank

-Septic tank systems, primary treatment, secondary treatment, advanced treatment, disinfection, constructed wetlands -Home plumbing connected to a tank where microbial action decomposes wastewater as solids settle to the bottom. A leach field of perforated pipes drains the water from the top of the tank into the soil where soil decomposers complete the biological decomposition of the waste.

How is water quality monitored?

Water quality is typically monitored on site by testing the conductivity of the water, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, pH, etc.

What standards have been established to measure water quality? Who establishes these standards?

An indicator used to measure the quality of water is fecal coliform bacteria. The World Health Organization has established standards that say that 0 colonies of fecal coliform bacteria can be in 100 mL of drinking water and that 200 colonies can be in 100 mL of swimming water.

What are the common sources of groundwater pollution and how is this problem being addressed?

Common sources include LUSTs, infiltration into aquifers from the surface by abandoned wells, leaking sewage collection systems and septic systems, and runoff from agriculture and urban landscapes. Polluted surface waters exchange pollution with groundwater. Saltwater intrudes into coastal aquifers when they are overpumped and the pressure that kept it out is reduced.

Define, describe, and explain the significance for water quality of each of the following: • Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) • Waterborne pathogenic microbes and fecal coliform bacteria • Nutrients (N, P) • Oil (Exxon Valdez) • sediment

DO is the amount of oxygen dissolved in water, expressed as mg/l. It is essential to aquatic animal respiration and water that is saturated will support the most diverse aquatic community. BOD is a measure of the demand that is present for the available DO. In natural waters there is a level of BOD that is normal. When oxygen demanding wastes are discharged to a waterway, bacterial populations grow rapidly and consume the waste.Pathogenic microbes can be a serious problem in polluted water. They include bacteria that causes typhoid fever, cholera,and bacterial dysentery. Fecal coliform bacteria is an indication that water is polluted by the waste of humans or animals.

What effects do dams and reservoirs have on the environment? Why are some dams being removed?

Dams can negatively affect the environment by diverting water and causing droughts downstream which can also affect wetlands, removing a lot of the nutrient silt that flows downstream and affects deltas and estuaries, causing floods upstream, and affecting the migrating and breeding of certain fish for which fish ladders need to be built.

What is eutrophication? Causes? What is cultural eutrophication?

Eutrophication is the process of adding nutrients to an aquatic system. It can occur naturally from runoff or when human actions create inputs of nutrients to a system, as is the case in cultural eutrophication.

What are some examples of water pollutants?

Inorganic Wastes, organic wastes, thermal, radioactive, sediments, and pathogens.

What is the difference between point and nonpoint sources of pollution? How can these sources be reduced?

Point sources of pollution are discharged from a single source such as a discharge pipe while nonpoint sources are widespread and very difficult to determine the source. Point sources have been reduced by setting standards and issuing permits that manage the cumulative load of pollution in waterways. Nonpoint sources must be addressed through education and community commitments to change human actions that lead to pollution.

How does urbanization contribute to flooding? How can this problem be minimized?

Urbanization contributes to paved roads and loss of recharge areas for water to infiltrate into the ground. When less water absorbs into the ground, this creates more surface water runoff and flooding. A way to minimize flooding are urban gardens.

Can wastewater be recycled and reused? What are some of the problems with wastewater reuse?

Wastewater can be treated to the point where it is safe to use for irrigation and drinking purposes. Some problems with this are the difficulty and cost of removing some chemicals and heavy metals.

What is water pollution and water quality?

Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies. Water quality refers to the chemical, physical, biological, and radiological characteristics of water.