Water Pollution: Water Pollution: Types, Causes, Types, Causes,

Consequences, Regulation Consequences, Regulation and Economicsand Economics

Freshwater pollution and its Freshwater pollution and its controlcontrol• Water for human consumption and other Water for human consumption and other organisms needs to be…organisms needs to be… – Disease-freeDisease-free– NontoxicNontoxic

• Half of the world’s major rivers are Half of the world’s major rivers are seriously depleted and pollutedseriously depleted and polluted– They poison surrounding ecosystemsThey poison surrounding ecosystems– Threaten the health and livelihood of peopleThreaten the health and livelihood of people

• The invisible pollution of groundwater has The invisible pollution of groundwater has been called a “covert crisis”been called a “covert crisis”

Water Quality DefinitionsWater Quality Definitions• ContaminantContaminant - any constituent in - any constituent in

the water deleterious to a particular the water deleterious to a particular end use regardless of its origin and end use regardless of its origin and whether it occurs in the watershed, whether it occurs in the watershed, source or in a water supply systemsource or in a water supply system

• PollutantPollutant - any constituent in the - any constituent in the water source deleterious to a water source deleterious to a particular end use that is of particular end use that is of anthropogenic originanthropogenic origin

• Pollutant = subset of contaminantPollutant = subset of contaminant

ContaminantsPollutants

Contaminants

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Water PollutionWater Pollution

• Any chemical, biological and physical change Any chemical, biological and physical change in water quality that has a harmful effect on in water quality that has a harmful effect on living organisms or makes it unusable for living organisms or makes it unusable for agricultureagriculture

The massive quantity of pollutants produced by > The massive quantity of pollutants produced by > 6 billion humans, their machines, plants, animals6 billion humans, their machines, plants, animals

The limited supply of fresh liquid water into which The limited supply of fresh liquid water into which most water-destined pollutants are dischargedmost water-destined pollutants are discharged

The growing number of ‘technological pollutants’ The growing number of ‘technological pollutants’ released into the environment, i.e. manufactured released into the environment, i.e. manufactured synthetic materialssynthetic materials

bss.sfsu.edu/ehines/geog600/ Freshwater%20and%20ocean%20Pollution.ppt

Types of PollutionTypes of Pollution• Disease-causing Agents – pathogensDisease-causing Agents – pathogens

• Oxygen Demanding Agents – organic Oxygen Demanding Agents – organic waste: manurewaste: manure

• Inorganic Plant Nutrients – nitrogen and Inorganic Plant Nutrients – nitrogen and phosphorusphosphorus

• Sediment or Suspended Material – Sediment or Suspended Material – erosion, soilerosion, soil

• Toxic Chemicals – acids, heavy metals, Toxic Chemicals – acids, heavy metals, organicsorganics

• Heat – electric and nuclear power plantsHeat – electric and nuclear power plants

Point and nonpoint source water Point and nonpoint source water pollutionpollution

• Point source water pollutionPoint source water pollution = discrete locations of = discrete locations of pollutionpollution– Factory or sewer pipesFactory or sewer pipes

• Nonpoint source water pollutionNonpoint source water pollution = pollution from = pollution from multiple cumulative inputs over a large areamultiple cumulative inputs over a large area– Farms, cities, streets, neighborhoodsFarms, cities, streets, neighborhoods

• The U.S. Clean Water ActThe U.S. Clean Water Act– Addressed point sources Addressed point sources – Targeted industrial dischargeTargeted industrial discharge

• In the U.S., nonpoint sources have a greater impact on In the U.S., nonpoint sources have a greater impact on qualityquality– Limit development on watershed land surrounding reservoirsLimit development on watershed land surrounding reservoirs

Freshwater pollution Freshwater pollution sourcessources

Pathogens and waterborne Pathogens and waterborne diseasesdiseases

• Enters water supply via inadequately treated Enters water supply via inadequately treated human waste and animal waste via feedlotshuman waste and animal waste via feedlots

• Causes more human health problems than Causes more human health problems than any other type of water pollutionany other type of water pollution

• Fecal coliform bacteria indicate fecal Fecal coliform bacteria indicate fecal contamination of watercontamination of water– The water can hold other pathogens, such as The water can hold other pathogens, such as

giardiais, typhoid, hepatitis Agiardiais, typhoid, hepatitis A

Waterborne PathogensWaterborne Pathogens• Disease symptoms usually are explosive Disease symptoms usually are explosive

emissions from either end of the digestive tractemissions from either end of the digestive tract

Escherichia coli

Vibrio sp.

Barbara E. Moore, Ph.D., Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio

Giardia sp.*

Indicator TestsIndicator Tests

Total coliform[Endo agar]

Fecal coliform[m-FC agar]

Fecal streptococci[M-enterococcus]

Prescott et al., MicrobiologyBarbara E. Moore, Ph.D., Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio

Pathogens cause massive human Pathogens cause massive human health problemshealth problems

• Currently, 1.1 billion people are without safe Currently, 1.1 billion people are without safe drinking waterdrinking water

• 2.4 billion have no sewer or sanitary facilities2.4 billion have no sewer or sanitary facilities– Mostly rural Asians and AfricansMostly rural Asians and Africans

• An estimated 5 million people die per yearAn estimated 5 million people die per year

• Solutions:Solutions:• Treat sewageTreat sewage• Disinfect drinking waterDisinfect drinking water• Public education to encourage personal hygienePublic education to encourage personal hygiene• Government enforcement of regulationsGovernment enforcement of regulations

Biological Oxygen Demand Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)(BOD)• BOD: Oxygen is removed from water when BOD: Oxygen is removed from water when

organic matter is consumed by bacteria. organic matter is consumed by bacteria.

• Low oxygen conditions may kill fish and other Low oxygen conditions may kill fish and other organisms.organisms.

Sources of organic matterSources of organic matter

• Natural inputs-- bogs, swamps, leaf fall, and Natural inputs-- bogs, swamps, leaf fall, and vegetation aligning waterways. vegetation aligning waterways.

• Human inputs-- pulp and paper mills, meat-Human inputs-- pulp and paper mills, meat-packing plants, food processing industries, and packing plants, food processing industries, and wastewater treatment plants. wastewater treatment plants.

• Nonpoint inputs-- runoff from urban areas, Nonpoint inputs-- runoff from urban areas, agricultural areas, and feedlots. agricultural areas, and feedlots.

http://www.lcusd.net/lchs/mewoldsen/http://www.lcusd.net/lchs/mewoldsen/Water_Pollution_LCHS.pptWater_Pollution_LCHS.ppt

flowing water can recover rapidly by dilution and decay

Pollution of Streams and LakPollution of Streams and Lakeses

© Brooks/Cole Publishing Company / ITP Water Resources and Water Pollution by Paul Rich

Nutrient pollutionNutrient pollution• PollutionPollution = = the release of matter or the release of matter or

energy into the environment that causes energy into the environment that causes undesirable impacts on the health and undesirable impacts on the health and well-being of humans or other organisms well-being of humans or other organisms

• Nutrient pollution from fertilizers, farms, Nutrient pollution from fertilizers, farms, sewage, lawns, golf coursessewage, lawns, golf courses– Leads to eutrophication Leads to eutrophication

• SolutionsSolutions•Phosphate-free detergentsPhosphate-free detergents

•Planting vegetation to increase nutrient uptakePlanting vegetation to increase nutrient uptake

•Treat wastewaterTreat wastewater

•Reduce fertilizer applicationReduce fertilizer application

Nitrogen Nitrogen Cycle Cycle

Quiz

Accelerated results with human input of nutrients to a lakeEutrophication

© Brooks/Cole Publishing Company / ITP Water Resources and Water Pollution Water Resources and Water Pollution by Paul Rich

Eutrophication is a natural Eutrophication is a natural process, but…process, but…

• Human activities dramatically increase the rate at Human activities dramatically increase the rate at which it occurswhich it occurs

Sediment pollutionSediment pollution

• Sediment can impair aquatic ecosystemsSediment can impair aquatic ecosystems– Clear-cutting, mining, poor cultivation practicesClear-cutting, mining, poor cultivation practices– Dramatically changes aquatic habitats, and fish Dramatically changes aquatic habitats, and fish

may not survivemay not survive– Solutions: better management of farms and Solutions: better management of farms and

forests; avoid large-scale disturbance of forests; avoid large-scale disturbance of vegetationvegetation

Toxic chemicalsToxic chemicals• From natural and synthetic sourcesFrom natural and synthetic sources

– Pesticides, petroleum products, synthetic chemicalsPesticides, petroleum products, synthetic chemicals– Arsenic, lead, mercury, acid rain, acid drainage from Arsenic, lead, mercury, acid rain, acid drainage from

minesmines

• Effects include: poisoning animals and plants, Effects include: poisoning animals and plants, altering aquatic ecosystems, and affecting altering aquatic ecosystems, and affecting human healthhuman health

• Solutions:Solutions:• Legislating and enforcing more stringent regulations Legislating and enforcing more stringent regulations

of industryof industry• Modify industrial processesModify industrial processes• Modify our purchasing decisionsModify our purchasing decisions

Thermal pollutionThermal pollution• Warmer water holds less oxygenWarmer water holds less oxygen

– Dissolved oxygen decreases as Dissolved oxygen decreases as temperature increases temperature increases

– Industrial cooling heats waterIndustrial cooling heats water– Removing streamside cover also raises Removing streamside cover also raises

water temperaturewater temperature

• Water that is too cold causes problemsWater that is too cold causes problems– Water at the bottom of reservoirs is colderWater at the bottom of reservoirs is colder– When water is released, downstream water When water is released, downstream water

temperatures drop suddenly and may kill temperatures drop suddenly and may kill aquatic organismsaquatic organisms

Indicators of Indicators of water qualitywater quality

• Scientists measure properties of water to Scientists measure properties of water to characterize its qualitycharacterize its quality– Biological indicators: presence of disease-causing Biological indicators: presence of disease-causing

organisms; benthic macroinvertebrate diversityorganisms; benthic macroinvertebrate diversity– Chemical indicators: pH, nutrient concentration, Chemical indicators: pH, nutrient concentration,

taste, odor, hardness, dissolved oxygentaste, odor, hardness, dissolved oxygen– Physical indicators: turbidity, color, temperaturePhysical indicators: turbidity, color, temperature

What’s Happening in the Bear Creek What’s Happening in the Bear Creek Watershed?Watershed?

 Situation The scarcity of clean surface water was once a concern primarily of state and federal agencies. Recently it has attracted the attention of local communities. Community members are turning to environmental consulting companies such as yours for advice. Your company - Earth, Wind, and Water, Inc. - has helped many public agencies and private businesses in the small town of Oak View. Earth, Wind, and Water, Inc. monitors environmental quality. It develops practices that environmentally and economically benefit Oak View.Your newest client, Mr. Charles Taylor, owns Taylor's Trout-A-Rama. Taylor's Trout-A-Rama is a local streamside catch-and-release campsite. Mr. Taylor is upset over the fact that the fish in that stretch of Bear Creek have been dying. His business, like the trout, is going belly-up. He has called on your firm to figure out what is killing the fish in that section of Bear Creek, and how to stop it. Preliminary fieldwork has been done on Bear Creek and is available for your analysis.

Click the Pic!

Water Quality StandardsWater Quality Standards

• In most countries, water quality In most countries, water quality standards have gradually emerged standards have gradually emerged and are still evolving for different and are still evolving for different water useswater uses

• Standards are a function ofStandards are a function of– our ability to detect and remove our ability to detect and remove

contaminantscontaminants– our understanding and/or fear of their our understanding and/or fear of their

actual or possible impactsactual or possible impactsisis.csuhayward.edu/alss/Geography/ mlee/geog4350/4350c4f01.ppt

U.S. Water Quality U.S. Water Quality StandardsStandards

• The EPA have recorded at least 700 The EPA have recorded at least 700 contaminants that have been found in contaminants that have been found in municipal drinking water supplies around municipal drinking water supplies around the country, many of which are harmful to the country, many of which are harmful to humanshumans

• The EPA currently requires the monitoring The EPA currently requires the monitoring and reporting of some 83 variables and and reporting of some 83 variables and have set maximum contaminant levels for have set maximum contaminant levels for each (MCLS). This will likely increase sooneach (MCLS). This will likely increase soon

isis.csuhayward.edu/alss/Geography/ mlee/geog4350/4350c4f01.ppt

Legislative efforts reduce Legislative efforts reduce pollutionpollution• Federal Water Pollution Control Act (1972)Federal Water Pollution Control Act (1972)

– Renamed the Clean Water Act in 1977Renamed the Clean Water Act in 1977– Illegal to discharge pollution without a permitIllegal to discharge pollution without a permit– Standards for industrial wastewaterStandards for industrial wastewater– Funded sewage treatment plantsFunded sewage treatment plants

• Because of legislation, the situation is much Because of legislation, the situation is much better than it wasbetter than it was

• Other nations have also reduced pollutionOther nations have also reduced pollution

Legal Attempts to Control Legal Attempts to Control Water PollutionWater Pollution

1.1. Clean Water Act 1977, now a state-federal Clean Water Act 1977, now a state-federal partnershippartnership

2.2. The Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act The Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act 19871987

3.3. Federal Water Pollution Control Act 1972 Federal Water Pollution Control Act 1972 amended to create:amended to create:

4.4. Safe Drinking Water Act, 1974, amended 1996Safe Drinking Water Act, 1974, amended 19965.5. London Dumping Convention (1975) is the London Dumping Convention (1975) is the

international treaty regulating disposal of international treaty regulating disposal of wastes generated by normal operation of wastes generated by normal operation of vessels vessels

bss.sfsu.edu/ehines/geog600/ Freshwater%20and%20ocean%20Pollution.ppt

Clean Water ActClean Water Act

• The Clean Water Act is a 1977 amendment to the Federal The Clean Water Act is a 1977 amendment to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972Water Pollution Control Act of 1972– Set the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants in Set the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants in

the USthe US

• The law gave EPA the authority to set water quality The law gave EPA the authority to set water quality standards for industry and for all contaminants in surface standards for industry and for all contaminants in surface waterswaters• Attain water quality levels that make these waterways safe to fish and/or Attain water quality levels that make these waterways safe to fish and/or

swim in swim in • Restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the

nation's water nation's water

• The CWA makes it unlawful for any person to discharge The CWA makes it unlawful for any person to discharge any pollutant from a point source into navigable waters any pollutant from a point source into navigable waters unless a permit (NPDES) is obtainedunless a permit (NPDES) is obtained

• The amounts and types of pollutants than can be The amounts and types of pollutants than can be discharged or allowed to run in to waters from watersheds discharged or allowed to run in to waters from watersheds are regulatedare regulated

Environmental Science ENSC 2800 - Pollution in the Bay-Delta

Safe Drinking Water ActSafe Drinking Water Act• The Safe Drinking Water Act (1974) The Safe Drinking Water Act (1974)

was established to protect the was established to protect the quality of drinking water in the U.Squality of drinking water in the U.S

• This law focuses on all waters This law focuses on all waters actually or potentially designed for actually or potentially designed for drinking use, whether from above drinking use, whether from above ground or underground sourcesground or underground sources

Environmental Science ENSC 2800 - Pollution in the Bay-Delta

It is better to prevent It is better to prevent pollutionpollution

• It is far better to prevent groundwater It is far better to prevent groundwater contamination than correct itcontamination than correct it

• Other options are not as good:Other options are not as good:– Removing just one herbicide from water costs Removing just one herbicide from water costs

$400 million$400 million– Pumping, treating, and re-injecting it takes too Pumping, treating, and re-injecting it takes too

longlong– Restricting pollutants above aquifers would shift Restricting pollutants above aquifers would shift

pollution elsewherepollution elsewhere

• Consumers can purchase environmentally Consumers can purchase environmentally friendly productsfriendly products– Become involved in local “river watch” projectsBecome involved in local “river watch” projects

EconomicsEconomics

• Definition:Definition:– The study of how people use their The study of how people use their

limited resources to try to satisfy their limited resources to try to satisfy their unlimited wants.unlimited wants.

– In a free market, the price of a good is In a free market, the price of a good is determined by its supply and by the determined by its supply and by the demand for it.demand for it.

Source and SinkSource and Sink

• Economies depend on the natural Economies depend on the natural environment as sources for raw materials environment as sources for raw materials and sinks for waste products.and sinks for waste products.

Source and SinkSource and Sink

• Source: is that part of the environment Source: is that part of the environment from which materials move.from which materials move.

• Sink: is that part of the natural Sink: is that part of the natural environment that receives an input of environment that receives an input of materials.materials.

• Both of these include natural capitalBoth of these include natural capital– Earth’s resources and processes that sustain Earth’s resources and processes that sustain

living organisms. (minerals, Forests, soils, living organisms. (minerals, Forests, soils, clean air, etc.)clean air, etc.)

Nationals Income AccountsNationals Income Accounts

• Represents the total income of a nation for Represents the total income of a nation for a given year.a given year.

• How do we measure it?How do we measure it?– Gross Domestic ProductGross Domestic Product– Net Domestic ProductNet Domestic Product

• Warning! Warning! WarningWarning! Warning! Warning– These are misleading by not incorporating These are misleading by not incorporating

environmental factors (Externalities).environmental factors (Externalities).• Natural resource depletionNatural resource depletion• Cost and benefits of pollution control.Cost and benefits of pollution control.

???

What is wrong with the What is wrong with the calculations?calculations?

• In the business worldIn the business world– If a company manufactures a product, the If a company manufactures a product, the

output is calculated by GNP.output is calculated by GNP.– But, the wear on the capital is calculated into But, the wear on the capital is calculated into

NDP.NDP.

• In contrastIn contrast– If an oil company drains oil from the ground it If an oil company drains oil from the ground it

is calculated into GNP.is calculated into GNP.– But, as the amount of oil is drain no calculation But, as the amount of oil is drain no calculation

is made into NDP. The lack of resource should is made into NDP. The lack of resource should have economic drain.have economic drain.

Costs of Pollution ControlCosts of Pollution Control

• A situation:A situation:– A company will produce 100 million $ in A company will produce 100 million $ in

output but pollute a river.output but pollute a river.– That same company can use workers to That same company can use workers to

clean the pollution but only make 90 clean the pollution but only make 90 million $ and have a clean river.million $ and have a clean river.

– What will the company do?????What will the company do?????•Problem is there is no value on the clean Problem is there is no value on the clean

river…. Only GNP is calculated…river…. Only GNP is calculated…

Economist’s View of Economist’s View of PollutionPollution• If a product is made that harms the If a product is made that harms the

environment, that harm is not environment, that harm is not factored into the cost of the product.factored into the cost of the product.– Hmmmmm, sounds a little irresponsible. Hmmmmm, sounds a little irresponsible.

• Some sort of marginal cost needs to Some sort of marginal cost needs to be associated with the product.be associated with the product.

•Ex. Effect of the pollutant on human health.Ex. Effect of the pollutant on human health.•Ex. Effect of the pollutant on organisms Ex. Effect of the pollutant on organisms

within the environment.within the environment.

Marginal Cost of PollutionMarginal Cost of Pollution

• This is the added cost This is the added cost for all present and for all present and future members of future members of society of an society of an additional unit or additional unit or pollution.pollution.

• Ex. Sulfur DioxideEx. Sulfur Dioxide– Used in manufacturing Used in manufacturing

and comes out of the and comes out of the atmosphere in acid rain.atmosphere in acid rain.

What about stopping pollution?What about stopping pollution?

• Marginal cost of Marginal cost of pollution pollution abatement:abatement:– The amount of The amount of

money needed to money needed to dispose of a dispose of a pollutant in a non pollutant in a non harmful way.harmful way.

What is the optimal amount of What is the optimal amount of pollution? pollution? (If there is such a thing?)(If there is such a thing?)

• If pollution exceeds If pollution exceeds the optimum amount the optimum amount of pollutionof pollution– the harm done exceeds the harm done exceeds

the cost to reduce it.the cost to reduce it.

• If pollution is small it If pollution is small it may cost too much to may cost too much to control the small control the small amount.amount.

Flaws in Optimum Pollution Flaws in Optimum Pollution

• 1. The true cost of environmental 1. The true cost of environmental damage by pollution is too difficult to damage by pollution is too difficult to assess.assess.

• 2. The risks of unanticipated 2. The risks of unanticipated environmental catastrophe are not environmental catastrophe are not taken into account in assessing the taken into account in assessing the potential environmental damage of potential environmental damage of pollution.pollution.

So……………So……………

• How much is a scenic river worth????How much is a scenic river worth????– Maybe more so to some people than Maybe more so to some people than

others.others.