Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies (e.g. lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers and groundwater).

Water pollution
occurs when pollutants are directly or indirectly discharged into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful
compounds.
Biological pollutants such as bacteria, viruses and parasites can be treated chemically or by biological
means. Other living organisms may be introduced or may occur naturally that will eliminate harmful
infestations by competition in the food web or by depleting nutrients vital for the survival of the harmful
life, such as causing an anoxic (oxygen poor) condition.
Harmful bacteria can be eliminated from groundwater by making sure the water remains in the ground for
30 days prior to being used by humans or animals. This treatment is very effective for bacteria such as E.
coli. Viruses usually are eliminated in this way as well, or they are significantly reduced in number and
viability.
Bacteria such as Staphylococcus and Giardia can be eliminated by chlorination or other chemical
treatment of the water. Note that Giadia can survive for an hour even in properly chlorinated water.
Parasitic infections are usually the result of a complex growth cycle of a parasite. Just one of the stages in
the growth cycle needs to be addressed in order to break the cycle. Simply eliminating flies from potable
water areas can halt some parasites. Other rely on poorly drained areas, or areas populated by snails, and
either of those situations can be addressed to eliminate parasites.
Water that has
been polluted by
chemicals can be
difficult to treat in
the natural
environment.
Physical Pollutants
Physical pollutants such as sediment and heat are often released from a point source. Since sediment will
naturally settle to the bottom of a still body of water, this type of pollution can be removed from water by
use of a stilling pond or retention pond before release to a waterway. Heated water can be allowed to
naturally cool before being released into a waterway.
Sediment loads can also be introduced by nonpoint sources such as farmlands and construction activities.
Remediation often consists of changes to farming practices, such as no-till farming. Land disturbed by
construction can be temporarily seeded or mulched before the final grading and stabilization.
Construction areas are often surrounded by silt fence before the area is stabilized to prevent sediment-
laden runoff to enter waterways.
Silt-laden runoff
should be
addressed before
it enters a
waterway.
Chemical Pollutants
Chemical pollutants represent a challenge to treat in a natural environment because of the complex
interaction of the natural chemical mineral and biological environment. These types of pollutants are
best treated at the source before being released into a waterway or groundwater. Many industrial
process discharges can be detrimental to water quality, and they are usually monitored closely by
regulatory agencies. Treatment is recommended for industrial process water before discharge. Many
past industrial practices released heavy metals such as chromium, arsenic and mercury into the
environment. These metals are still present and active today.
Other types of chemical processes occur as a result of changes and modifications to the landscape or as a
result of farming and landscaping practices. These impacts include overuse of pesticides and fertilizers,
and acid waters from mining drainage.
Treatment options vary from simple dilution in the case of road salt runoff, to modification of application
methods or farming methods in the case of fertilizer use. Acid rock drainage can be treated in a number
of ways, such as by limestone channels or artificial wetlands before the water is released downstream
into the ecosystem.
Runoff from salted
roads can degrade
waterways
Snails can be vectors for a
variety of parasitic infections,
usually in tropical climates.