| What do the human body and the planet earth | | | | running streams. The effects of water pollution to |
| have in common? | | | | humanity is staggering. But we should also |
| Water. If the human body has about two-thirds | | | | consider all the other life forms that suffer - the |
| water, our planet has about 70% of it, which | | | | fishes and other animals such as birds, and plants. |
| establishes the fact that water constitutes a | | | | And what happens when humans eat the very |
| major portion in both body masses. And that is | | | | fishes that live in polluted waters? Do you still |
| what's alarming. If 70% of the earth's surface is | | | | want that answered? |
| made up of water, then humankind should have | | | | But where there is life, there is hope. There is |
| been very wary of anything that would pollute | | | | something that we can do - you can do - to save |
| this major portion of the planet. Alas, the human | | | | the only planet that we have. You could be an |
| race has done otherwise. Water pollution is now a | | | | advocate, in your own simple way, of retrieving |
| global problem. | | | | the lost beauty of oceans, lakes, rivers and |
| Today, water pollution is rampant and the chief | | | | streams. Here is a list that might get you to |
| source of water pollution is the human race. We | | | | consider in fighting water pollution: |
| are the very ones that need water most and, | | | | 1. Primarily, you should prevent water pollution. |
| yet, we have polluted it, even to the brink of | | | | Just like an illness, it is much simpler to prevent its |
| extinction. | | | | occurrence rather than to cure. Begin at your |
| There are many types of water pollutants but | | | | own home. Make sure that you conserve water. |
| these can be segregated into four classifications: | | | | You can never imagine the water shortages that |
| natural, agricultural, municipal and industrial | | | | happen all over the globe. So if you have a |
| pollutants. Natural water pollutants could include all | | | | constant supply of water at home, use it wisely. |
| the natural phenomena that happen from time to | | | | 2. Plant trees (if circumstance would allow you). |
| time such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes that | | | | Having more trees or plants in your yard would |
| cause major upheavals in the ocean floor and | | | | prevent pollutants from flowing freely into nearby |
| storms that cause flashfloods. Even global | | | | bodies of water. Since they keep the soil from |
| warming could be qualified as a cause of water | | | | eroding, water pollution or, at least, the quality of |
| pollution. | | | | the water is improved. |
| Agricultural pollution consists mainly of poultry and | | | | 3. Do not throw any form of garbage into any |
| other agricultural animal wastes that are carelessly | | | | body of water. Sign up for any organization that |
| thrown off to bodies of water near farms. It | | | | aims in cleaning up beaches (or lakes, or streams). |
| could also be the fertilizers or pesticides that are | | | | Be an active member of such organizations. |
| used to make better crops, which erode into | | | | 4. Never throw water pollutants down your sink |
| lakes, rivers or streams. Municipal wastes are | | | | or toilet bowl. Make sure to dispose wastewater |
| those that come from residential areas. This is | | | | properly. Think of the many septic tanks that |
| the liquid waste that households throw into bodies | | | | contribute to water pollution. Now, 'get the |
| of water. Industrial pollution consists of all the | | | | picture? |
| wastes that major industrial firms chuck into the | | | | Luckily, for all of us, there were concerned |
| waters. This last classification is the most severe | | | | lawmakers out there that have made legislations |
| and most rampant among the three - and it is | | | | on water pollution. The U.S. alone has several |
| also the one that has caused the most damage. | | | | anti-water pollution laws such as the Federal |
| Industrial waste could include contaminants that | | | | Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, The Safe |
| are hard to take off from the waters once they | | | | Drinking Water Act of 1974, and the Federal |
| spread - petroleum from oil spills or nuclear | | | | Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, which |
| wastes. | | | | was amended in 1988. These laws prevent |
| The bodies of water in the world are in | | | | further damage to U.S. waters. |
| catastrophic danger, what with all the industries in | | | | Although water pollution is an extensive problem, |
| the world today, plus our individual wastes all put | | | | bridling it is still possible. And everything begins |
| together! No wonder mankind now drinks from | | | | with each and every individual in each and every |
| bottles instead of just scooping water from | | | | home. And yes, that population includes YOU. |