Water should be used wisely and not polluted.

Dealing with
Water Pollution

How can water pollution be reduced?

IN AGRICULTURE

Farmers often use too much pesticides or herbicides on their crops just to make sure that pests and other plant diseases are kept away from their crops. However, excess amounts of these pesticides will do a great harm to the environment. These chemicals can seep into the ground water and contaminate the ground water supply. Besides that, fertilisers washed into the rivers or stream may cause eutrophication.

However, there are a few ways of reducing the use of pesticides and herbicides.

Education

Firstly, informing and educating farmers of the harm pesticides can cause. For example, some organisations have programs to teach farmers alternative ways to control pests and weeds and also farmers will be taught how to dispose of excess pesticides and herbicides safely.

Organic Farming

Secondly, a relatively new way of farming known as organic farming have been increasingly popular among countries such as the united states. In organic farming, no artificial chemicals are used, thus with no doubt at all it will reduce the amount of pesticides and herbicides used.

IN INDUSTRIES

Industries often release poisonous chemical waste into seas, rivers or lakes, resulting in the destruction of Mother Nature.

What these industries can do is to remove all the harmful chemicals in the waste before releasing it to the sea.

What are the global efforts to reduce water pollution?

• The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (or MARPOL, from marine pollution) was set up in 1973. MARPOL limits the amounts of oil, sewage and poisonous waste, and rubbish that ships can release into the sea.
• The Bonn Agreement (1969) aimed to protect the coastal areas around the North Sea.
• The Hensinki Convention (1947) aimed to protect the water around the Baltic Sea.
• The London Dumping Convention (1972) banned the dumping of fuel oil, chemical weapons materials, nuclear waste, and other dangerous substances.

What can we do to reduce water pollution?

There are a few ways in which we can do something to help reduce sea pollution:

• Do not leave rubbish or any litter on the beach, in the sea or rivers, after a picnic. Make the effort to dispose them without the need to harm the environment.
• Help a local conservation group clean up local rivers and beaches.
• Contact local authorities if sea pollution is spotted.
• Take part in cleanup acts held in your school to and do your part for the environment.