water quality and pollution in the uk

• chemicals such as pesticides and fertilisers run off from farming land into rivers
• hot water used for cooling processes in industry may be pumped into rivers or the sea
• rubbish such as supermarket trolleys and plastic bags can be dumped into rivers and lakes
• pollution such as oil from boats and ships can often end up in rivers and coastal waters
• untreated waste is pumped into rivers from industries
• run off from roads and motorways such as oil and salt from salt gritting
• people put inappropriate items such as waste engine oil or cooking oil into drains
• sewage containing bacteria may be pumped into rivers and seas
• toxic waste can poison wildlife and can sometimes be transferred to humans if they eat fish or shellfish leading to birth defects and sometimes cancer
• the supply of drinking water can be poisoned
• increased water temperatures can lead to the death of wildlife and disrupt habitats
• increased fertilisers can increase nutrients in the water, speeding up the growth of algae leading to eutrophication and not enough oxygen in the water so the wildlife will also die increased algae may also block the sunlight
• pesticides can kill important parts of the ecosystem
• the microbacterial in sewage can cause the spread of infectious diseases in aquatic life, animals and humans
• people whos livelihoods depend on a clean water supply such as farmers and fishermen may suffer from bad water quality
• legislation: the uk and eu have strict laws which ensure that factories and farms are limited in the amount and type of discharge they put into rivers. Water companies which provide our drinking water and sewage systems have very clear regulations and penalties
• Education Campaigns: These inform the public about the damage caused by putting inappropriate items into the sewage systems, such as engine oil and baby wipes. They advise of how to dispose of them correctly.
• Waste Water Treatments: Local water treatment plants remove suspended solids such as silt and soil, bacteria, algae, chemicals and minerals to produce clean water for human consumption. They use a number of processes.
• Building better treatment plants and investing in new infrastructure: Better sewers and water mains can prevent spills and accidents, but can lead to higher water bills to pay for the investment. For example, Thames Water in London is investing heavily in its sewage works and new tunnels.
• Pollution Traps: When new roads and motorways are built close to rivers and watercourses, pollution traps such as reed beds are often installed to ‘catch’ pollution.
• Green Roofs and Walls: In cities, new buildings often have green roofs which filter out pollutants naturally in rainwater. They provide sustainable water management by reducing the risk of flooding by reducing run-off from roofs. They can also help to combat climate change by increasing absorption of Carbon Dioxide from the atmosphere.
• advantages to legislation

  · The UK/EU have strict laws which ensure factories/farms are limited in type and amount of discharge

  · Water companies have guidelines and penalties
• disadvantages to legislation

  · Brexit/no longer part of the EU so the rules and laws no longer apply

  · The government rarely carry through with the fines so companies have no incentive to stick to them

  · Small companies don’t have as many rules
• education campaigns advantages

  · Teaching younger generations likely to change attitudes


  ·

  Consumer power – making better choices from education
• education campaigns disadvantages

  · Easy to forget over time

  · Some will ignore it

  · Individual’s choice – will they care?!
• waste water treatments advantages

  · Can be done locally, provides jobs

  · It does the job! Cleans the water – very effective

  · Steady supply
• waste water treatments disadvantages

  • its a long and expensive process
  • could cause illness if it goes wrong
• building better treatment plans advantagess

  • can prevent spills and accidents
  • ensures a clean and safe supply
• building better treatment plans disadvantages

  • its a long and expensive process
  • could cause illness if it goes wrong
• pollution traps advantages

  • catches pollution before it gets to rivers and water courses
  • natural method to control water quality
• pollution trap disadvantages

  • doesnt catch every pollutant
  • if it rains heavily the pollutants can be washed out into the river
• green roofs advantages

  · Sustainable water supply on a small scale

  · Filters out pollutants naturally

  · Increases absorption of CO2

  · Reduces risk of flooding by reducing roof run-off
• green roofs disadvantages

  · Limited in its use as currently done on a small scale

  · Maintenance needed on roof

  · Have to have right conditions to have one (eg no listed buildings)