Pollution and Water

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Pollution and Water

• EQ What is the greatest threat to our water
  quality?

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Pollution What is it exactly?

• Pollutant something that causes harm to the
  environment
• Examples
• Toxic Chemicals
• Sewage
• Run-off from rain that carries fertilizers, oils,
  pesticides, etc into local water
• All of these reduce water quality

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Sources of Pollution

• Point Source comes from a single source that
  can easily be identified (you can Point to the
  source of the pollution)
• Examples Hog farm, drainage pipe from factory
• Because it comes from a single source it is
  easier to fix . . . hey you (point to the
  person/company) stop polluting!

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Point Source Pictures- Ewww
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Other Sources of Pollution

• Non-Point Source Pollution Pollution that comes
  from many sources and/or is NOT easily
  identified.
• Examples Mall parking lots, street sewers,etc.
• Because we are never truly sure where it is
  coming from or who is doing it, non-point source
  pollution is much more difficult to clean up and
  prevent !

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With Non-Point Water Pollution

• We do not know how it gets there but it can be
  just as harmful to our water system.

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Fertilizer Non-point Water Pollutant

• Phosphorous and nitrogen are key ingredients in
  fertilizer
• These nutrients are carried into water system
  through RUN-OFF from lawns, farming fields, and
  golf courses.
• They cause harmful algae blooms like pfisteria in
  estuaries. (These algae blooms are toxic to the
  touch and to breathe and cause fish kills.)
• It also leads to low levels of dissolved oxygen
  in the water which cause fish to die.

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Algae in Water
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Red Tide - Pfisteria
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Take the test Sources of Water Pollutant

• Do you
• Pick up dog and cat feces in the yard?
• Fertilize your lawn before a rain storm?
• Use bug or insect sprays?
• Dump motor oil or paint in the yard?
• Wash your car in the driveway?

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STOP POINTLESS WATER POLLUTION !
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Never Litter !

• The trash you throw out will later be in what you
  drink !

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Stewardship Being a responsible citizen !

• Turn off the water when you are brushing your
  teeth.
• Repair leaky faucets and running toilets.
• Never pile leaves or debris on the curb.
• Keep storm drains clear of trash and yard debris.
• NEVER put down fertilizer before a storm.