Non Point Water Pollutants

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Clean water is one of the most crucial resources on Earth. It supports countless ecosystems as well as recreation and esthetic pleasure. With increased pollutant inputs, clean water has become scares. One major contributor to the decreased water quality is non-point source water pollution. non-point source water pollution causes eutrophication which is the excessive enrichment of water . Eutrophication cripples aquatic ecosystems, creates vast economic losses and is a threat to human health. For these reasons non-point source water polluters should be regulated in order to keep our water supply clean.

Water treatment is considered to be a relevant action to ensure environmental sustainability. With an increase in water pollutants, water treatment plants are forced to develop additional processes in order to adequately purify the polluted water. In a report for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed it was stated that the presence of non-point source pollutants caused “a 35% increase” in cost for the wastewater treatment plant (Rees 2014). As well, a study in …show more content…

Excess nitrogen in water has been linked to methemoglobinemia, a condition where increased levels of methemoglobin are present in the blood preventing oxygen to be carried throughout the body. Methemoglobinemia is potentially lethal to infants. Along with nitrogen, phosphorus indirectly can harm human health. Phosphorus is a catalyst for toxic algal growth. A study from Sarasota County, Florida documented “increased emergency room visit(s) for respiratory illnesses resulting from algal blooms”(EPA 2015). Non-point source water pollutants not only harm humans, but also live stock.Nitrogen enriched water “causes methemoglobinemia and abortions in cattle”(Caraco 1998). Along with live stock, entire aquatic ecosystems are damaged by the eutrophication caused by non-point source water

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