How to Reduce Water Pollution

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Many people are unaware that a large part of the water pollution problem can be traced right back to their own backyards and homes. It's almost impossible for government agencies to minimize this type of pollution, but you can help solve the problem by following a few simple steps.

Steps

Conservation and Recycling

1. Conserve water. Turn off the tap when water isn't necessary and try to take shorter showers if possible. This not only helps prevent water shortages, but reduces the amount of contaminated water that needs treatment.
2. Don't throw litter into sinks and toilets. Paints, oils and other similar items should be disposed of in the trash.
3. Help clean up litter in water-filled areas. This includes beaches, lakes, oceans. Make sure it is safe to collect the litter and put it in a nearby dustbin.
4. Contain and compost yard waste. Yard waste that sits around can easily wash into storm drains when it rains. Even if the waste doesn't contain chemicals such as herbicides and pesticides, the introduction of large quantities of sticks, leaves, and grass clippings can overwhelm waterways with unhealthy quantities of nutrients.
   • Compost yard wastes. Your compost should be contained in a bin or barrel to prevent the materials from being washed away. Some municipalities provide these for free or at low cost.
   • Use a mulching mower instead of bagging grass clippings. Mulching mowers add a natural layer of compost to your lawn and you don't have to deal with disposal of grass clippings.
   • Dispose of yard and grass clippings properly. If you don't compost or have yard wastes that you can't compost, contact your local waste management or environmental protection agency to determine how to dispose them.

Tips

• If you are not sure whether something is hazardous, check with your local waste management or environmental protection department, or do some research online.
• Think about the big picture. You may think that a little oil leak on your car isn't a big deal. However, the oil from thousands or millions of cars with minor oil leaks adds up quickly and soon you're looking at a cumulative oil spill far worse than any oil tanker crash. You can't fix all the oil leaks in the world, but you can fix yours. Be part of the solution.
• Educate your family, friends, and neighbors about ways to reduce their contributions to pollution. If your community doesn't already have environmental education programs, pollution control regulations or a hazardous waste recycling facility, take the initiative on this.
• In many areas, agricultural runoff is a bigger pollution problem than urban runoff. If you're involved in agriculture, contact your local extension service or environmental protection agency to find out more about ways you can reduce your environmental impact.

Related wikiHows

• How to Reduce Stormwater Runoff at Your Home
• How to Save the Environment at Home

Sources and Citations

• Water Quality Stewardship Guide, Northern Va Soil & Water Conservation District
• Puget Sound Parnership (State of Washington)
• Earth911.org
• New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

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