Water Pollution

We all use water, we couldn’t live withoutclean water. Everytime we use water, wecontribute to producing sewage, which inturn can pollute the environment

http://bundaberg.qld.gov.au/features/water-wise

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WHY IS POLLUTION A PROBLEM?Plants and animals living in streams, rivers and oceans, rely on waterto provide them with oxygen, which is essential for life. Pollutantssuch as sewage, vegetable and animal waste, silt and detergents canall reduce the amount of oxygen available. Pollutants such asfertilisers, chemicals and oil can directly poison animal and plant life.

HOW IS WATER POLLUTED?Water pollution can happen whensewage is not effectively treated beforeit is released into the environment orwater becomes polluted by people’sactivities – littering or dumping. Thiscan happen in many ways, some areaccidental but others are deliberate.

Urban Development• Building and construction can wash soil into our waterways.• Rainwater that falls on our houses and roads is carried away in asystem of pipes that is separate from the sewerage system.These stormwater drains also collect any litter or other material,including animal droppings. All of this rubbish is generally carriedstraight into rivers or out to the sea by stormwater drains.• Stormwater drains are also commonly responsible for carryingspilled toxic chemicals, such as pesticides, detergents, fertilisers,oil and other materials into our waterways.

IndustryPollution to our waterways can occur through direct discharge andcontamination of soil. Industry needs to be careful with the types ofwaste chemicals and materials that are discharged to theenvironment. Council has a Trade Waste policy that sets thestandard of Industrial Waste allowed into the sewerage system.Farming and horticultureMost farmers use a wide range of fertilisers, herbicides, insecticidesand other chemicals on their crops and these can run into thewaterways. The movement of cattle roaming and grazing on the farmcan also cause soil to be washed into the waterways.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF WATER POLLUTION?

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http://www.qwc.qld.gov.au/What+is+purified+recycled+water

What is purified recycled water?Purified recycled water is wastewater that has been treated to a very high standard using world's best technology through a 7-barrier process:·In addition to current wastewater treatment standards, the water is subject to micro-filtration, reverse osmosis and advanced oxidation ·This drinking-quality water is then injected into another water supply source such as a dam, where natural processes provide an additional environmental and time buffer ·Finally, the blended water is subjected to the usual treatment process which currently applies to dam water at the existing water treatment plant before distribution to consumers.At all stages of this process, the water is subject to water quality monitoring and testing. In Queensland, purified recycled water will be subject to a new regulatory regime to ensure it meets health and safety requirements. Purified recycled water will be introduced into SEQ's drinking water supplies as a part of an emergency drought response with SEQ's combined dam levels reach 40%.

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