We live in a world shaped by constant innovation. But with how fast-paced life has become and how much we rely on modern conveniences, we tend to forget where it all comes from and what kind of environmental impact it leaves behind.
The systems that support our way of life (such as manufacturing, agriculture, energy, and transportation) release harmful pollutants into the environment and affect the quality of our air, land, and water.
While air and land pollution remain major concerns, water pollution may be the most pressing issue we face today.
Global Pollution Statistics
The image above is a graph from Statista that illustrates the global effects of pollution, including air, water, and other forms.
The top three nations with the highest number of pollution-related deaths in 2019 were India, China, and Nigeria. India alone accounted for 2.33 million deaths, which is more than the combined total of all the other countries on the list except China.
While the data includes all forms of pollution, a significant portion of the health impact comes from contaminated water.
A 2016 preliminary report by the United Nations Environment Program estimated that severe pathogenic pollution affects roughly one-third of all rivers in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Severe organic pollution impacts about one-seventh of rivers, while salinity pollution affects about one-tenth.
This contributes to widespread illness and loss of life, especially among vulnerable groups like children and the elderly.
What is Water Pollution?
Water pollution is the contamination of bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, and oceans. It lowers water quality, harms aquatic life, and can sometimes reach household water sources, posing a serious risk to human health.
Most water pollution is caused by human activity, including littering, improper industrial waste disposal, and poor waste management systems. According to Pawsome Advice, 80% of sewage in developing countries is dumped untreated into the environment.
Major events like the Deepwater Horizon oil spill have shown how devastating water pollution can be to marine life. But even less visible forms, like groundwater contamination from chemicals, or pollution caused by microorganisms and thermal waste, are serious and ongoing threats.
In the U.S., the problem is closer than many realize. USA Today reported in 2017 that nearly one-fifth of the U.S. population (around 63 million people) lacks access to clean drinking water, further adding to concerning U.S. water pollution statistics.
Nearly half of the country’s rivers and a third of its lakes are too polluted for swimming, fishing, or drinking, based on data from the NRDC.
In some communities, outdated water systems have led to contamination from substances like arsenic and lead, and incidents in Flint, Michigan, and East Chicago, Indiana, serve as stark reminders of the scale of the issue.
Water pollution graphs and water pollution charts are useful for tracking changes over time and showing the scale of the problem in different parts of the world.
Sourgum’s Zero Waste and Sustainability Services
Reducing pollution starts with better waste management, not just at the individual level but across businesses and industries as well. At Sourgum, we offer services that help companies limit the amount of waste that ends up in landfills or waterways.
We work directly with businesses to minimize waste at the source, improve recycling practices, and divert materials from landfills. Our sustainability consulting supports organizations that want to meet ESG goals through responsible waste handling.
For every dumpster rented, we plant a tree through our partner One Tree Planted. So far, we’ve planted over 20,000 trees and continue to grow that number with each order.
Types of Water Pollution
FairPlanet has developed a simplified list of the various types of water pollution, supported by water pollution statistics and global research. Here’s the summary:
Chemical Pollution
The most common form of water pollution.
It occurs when harmful substances like pesticides, heavy metals, or industrial chemicals are introduced into water sources
Surface Water Pollution
Affects lagoons, rivers, oceans, and lakes.
Typically happens when pollutants like oil spills or improperly discarded industrial waste mix directly with surface water.
Groundwater Pollution
Occurs when chemicals on the surface soil seep into the ground via rainwater.
Especially common near farms or areas with poor chemical handling practices.
Suspended Matter Pollution
When things like straws, cans, and other waste enter water systems and do not break down. This can lead to oxygen depletion, as mentioned below, as it disrupts oxygen flow in and out of the water.
Biological Pollutants
Biological pollutants come from living organisms or organic waste that enters water systems. They can be separated into several categories based on their source and impact.
Nutrient Pollution
When fertilizer-contaminated water is introduced to larger bodies of water, it increases underwater vegetation to an unsustainable level, contaminating the water supply.
Oxygen Depletion Pollution
Caused by the introduction of biodegradable substances into the water.
These microorganisms consume large amounts of oxygen, making the water unsafe for larger aquatic animals.
Their presence can also promote the growth of other microorganisms that release toxins and further contaminate the water.
Microbiological Pollution
A natural type of contamination of water caused by microorganisms and other disease-carrying substances being introduced to the water.
PFAS: Toxic Chemicals That Don’t Go Away
A large portion of water contamination in the United States is linked to PFAS, or polyfluoroalkyl substances.
These man-made chemicals were first introduced in the 1940s during the rise of mass-produced consumer goods like aerosol spray cans and plastic products. PFAS are used in a wide range of everyday items and industrial processes, and they break down extremely slowly.
As a result, they leave long-lasting traces of pollution in any environment they touch.
PFAS can be found in many products, including:
Firefighting foam
Industrial manufacturing and chemical production
Food packaging materials
Household goods
Personal care products
PFAS and Your Health
Although PFAS have been in use for decades, only recently has research begun to reveal how they affect human health and the environment. According to the EPA, long-term exposure to certain types of PFAS may lead to:
Reproductive issues, including reduced fertility or high blood pressure during pregnancy.
Developmental delays in children, such as low birth weight, early puberty, bone changes, or behavioral concerns.
Increased risk of certain cancers, including prostate, kidney, and testicular cancer.
A weakened immune system that may struggle to fight infections or respond to vaccines.
Disruption of hormone function.
Elevated cholesterol and increased risk of obesity.
Water Pollution and Global Health
Contaminated water poses serious risks to public health around the world.
The CDC and the World Health Organization both link exposure to unsafe water with a range of diseases and life-threatening conditions. Here are some alarming water pollution statistics that highlight just how serious the problem is:
Poor sanitation and contaminated drinking water contribute to 88% of deaths from diarrheal diseases.
Waterborne illnesses are the leading cause of death for young children worldwide.
Each day, 2 million tons of sewage, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff are dumped into water sources.
More people die each year from polluted water than from war or violence.
The most common illnesses caused by water pollution include cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid, and polio.
What’s Being Done About Water Pollution In The U.S.
Cleaning up water pollution starts with finding the source. Sometimes it’s as straightforward as digging up a leaking oil tank. Other times, it requires bigger steps, like updating laws to control harmful materials.
Speaking of legislation, it shapes how we manage waste, monitor pollution, and hold polluters accountable.
For example, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) gives the Environmental Protection Agency the authority to control hazardous waste, from creating standards for underground storage to monitoring the treatment of radioactive waste.
The Clean Water Act also helps by setting national standards for water quality, covering everything from drinking and swimming to farming and fishing.
Each state has its own water quality standards. To see how your local water measures up, visit your state’s environmental agency website.
How to Help Stop Water Pollution
Legislation is important, but individual action matters too. There are many ways we can stop, or at least reduce and prevent water pollution. According to NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), we can:
Reduce the amount of plastic use, or recycle and reuse plastics correctly.
Dispose of chemical cleaners, oils, and non-biodegradable items correctly to make sure they don't end up in places they don't belong, like our waters.
Regularly check up on your car and take it to get serviced regularly so it doesn't leak oil, antifreeze, or coolant.
If you have a yard, consider landscaping that reduces runoff and avoid applying pesticides and herbicides. Be sure to properly dispose of any yard waste.
If you have a dog or any pet that can go outdoors, make sure you clean up after them, especially after they poop.
Additionally, you can vote! Candidates in local elections likely have a position on water quality and other environmental legislation, so make the green choice that will help your area improve its environmental impact during your next election.
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