Water Quality Flashcards
what contaminants might groundwater contain
•Ground water may contain some natural contaminants (without human activity or pollution magnesium, calcium and chlorides)
water contaminants from human activities
bacteria, heavy metals, nitrates, radon, fertilizers and pesticides, industrial products and wastes, household wastes, lead and copper
human activities that cause water contamination
- improper use of fertilizers, animal manures, herbicides, insecticides, and pesticides
- improperly built or poorly located and or maintained septic systems for household wastewater
- local businesses/factories
- leaking or abandoned underground storage tanks and piping
- storm-water drains that discharge chemicals to ground water
- improper disposal or storage of wastes
- chemical spills at local industrial sites
how do bacteria/viruses/parasites become contaminants?
water close to ground level are at most risk since runoff or water flowing over the land surface might pick up these pollutants from wildlife and soil. When consumed it causes illnesses
how do heavy metals become contaminants?
underground rocks and soils may contain arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead. Activities such as mining and construction can release large amounts of metals into nearby water sources
how do nitrates become contaminants?
found in human and animal wastes, septic tanks, large number of farm animals, landfills, and garbage dumps can cause pollution. Nitrates cause blue baby syndrome
how do fertilizers/pesticides become contaminants?
farmers use both to promote growth and reduce insect damage. Chemicals may end up in ground water. Many fertilizers contain forms of nitrogen that can break down into harmful nitrates. Depends on amount and kind of chemicals
how do industrial products and wastes become contaminants?
harmful chemicals used in businesses and industry and can become issues if not managed well. Spills and improper disposal of chemicals can cause pollution, underground storage tanks and pipes can leak if installed improperly, flooding of landfills can create pollution to be carried to other sources of water
how do household wastes become contaminants?
- improper disposal of many common products can pollute ground water (cleaning solvents, used motor oil, paints, soaps and detergents)
how do lead and copper become contaminants?
household plumbing materials are most common source of lead and copper in home drinking water. Corrosive water may cause metals in pipes to leach into water. Lead causes damage to brain, kidneys, nervous system, and red blood cells. Age of plumbing materials important too (older=worse)
_________ Act doesn’t protect private wells so people have to have responsibility for safety of water drawn from wells. Rely on help from local health departments (yearly testing, placement and construction of new wells to meet state and local regulations).
Safe Drinking Water Act
6 steps for monitoring water quality
- Identify potential problem sources, 2. Talk with local experts, 3. Have water tested periodically, 4. Have test results interpreted and explained clearly, 5. Set regular maintenance schedule for well, do scheduled maintenance and keep records, 6. Remedy any problems
____ rules only apply to public drinking water systems- must comply with federal and state regulations for frequent analysis, testing, and reporting of results
EPA
three processes used to remove contaminants
coagulation, filtration, disinfection
water interventions can take place at many points along supply chain. Interventions could include: source protection, mechanical ______, storage, treatment, and distribution safety of water can be improved and level of access increased
mechanical abstraction
people more vulnerable to contaminated drinking water
children, elderly, HIV, pregnant
challenges in achieving optimal water quality
unequal distribution of clean water, costly, laws not enforced (Flint), many polluters (business, factories, farmers)
Safe Drinking Water Act SDWA
- the federal law that protects public drinking water supplies throughout the nation. Regulates the nation’s public drinking water supply and protects sources of drinking water
- Under the SDWA, EPA sets standards for drinking water quality and with its partners implements various technical and financial programs to ensure drinking water safety
- SDWA applies to every public water system in U.S
- EPA sets national standards for drinking waters based on sound science
- National primary drinking water regulations (set by EPA) set enforceable max contaminant levels for particular contaminants in drinking water or required ways to treat water to remove contaminants
how are waterborne illnesses caused
by ingestion or consuming water, by dermal contact (contact of water with skin), or by inhalation
cholera and prevention
bacteria that causes diarrheal illness, associated with aquatic environments, shell stocks and humans. Prevention = source protection and boiling water poor sanitary conditions of water system
E coli and prevention
bacteria that causes diarrheal illness. Reservoir = cattle, deer, goats, sheep and humans. Typically associated with contaminated food and water. Prevention = source protection or boiling water
salmonella and prevention
bacteria that causes diarrheal illness. Humans and animals are reservoir and typically associated with contaminated food and water. Prevention = source protection and boiling of water
Legionella and prevention
bacteria that causes respiratory illness legionnaire’s disease (causes severe pneumonia) and Pontiac fever (non-pneumonia illness, more like flu). Naturally found in water (natural and artificial sources). Prevention = maintaining proper temperatures in water
