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25 Simple and Easy Ways to Reduce Water Pollution That Nobody Would Tell You

Water pollution is defined as contamination of water bodies which includes lakes, rivers, oceans, and groundwater. We all know how the pollution of our water is a major issue, especially as we ramp up our production of potentially harmful substances. Not only does water pollution result in contaminated water, but it also hurts the wildlife that depends on safe water for survival.

With increased global warming and climate change, our planet is already reeling under an acute water crisis. Moreover, with the population of this world growing at an explosive rate, the water resources are also getting polluted at a higher rate. Water pollution-related problems and issues have been growing at a rapid pace and this in turn leading to more waterborne diseases.

water-pollution-plastic-bottles-trash — Source: Canva

Water and air, the two essential fluids on which all life depends, have become global garbage cans.

~ Jacques Yves Cousteau

While there is no single short step to stop water pollution, there are a number of things that we can do in our daily lifestyle to reduce water pollution. The best way to clean the polluted water is not to clean the polluted water but to stop polluting.

Here we have compiled a list of 30+ such ways that can help you to reduce water pollution and make it safe for animals, unique. organisms and ecosystems that are being harmed and becoming extinct at an alarming rate.

Contents

30+ Simple and Easy Ways to Reduce Water Pollution Now
- 1. Use Less Plastic
- 2. Reuse Items
- 3. Recyclable Options
- 4. Do Not Dispose of Oils in the Sink
- 5. Cleaning Chemicals
- 6. Handle Toxic Chemicals Properly
- 7. Shop to Stop Water Pollution
- 8. Do Not Throw Away Medicines
- 9. Avoid Toilets For Throwing Household Items
- 10. Garbage Disposal
- 11. Dishwashing or Laundry
- 12. Limit the Use of Detergents and Bleaches
- 13. Use Phosphate-Free Detergent
- 14. Use Environmentally Friendly Detergents
- 15. Gardening
- 16. Avoid Pesticides
- 17. Conserve Soil
- 18. Do Regular Car Maintenance
- 19. Oil Spill
- 20. Cellar Drains or Septic Tanks
- 21. Just Do Not Litter!
- 22. Use Water Sparingly
- 23. Plant Fauna at Lakes or Rivers
- 24. Clean Up Litter
- 25. Stop Chemical Pollution
- 26. Eat Organic Food More
- 27. Choose Food Wisely
- 28. Buy Sustainable Meats
- 29. Best Is Cutting Down on Meat Consumption
- 30. Stop Immersion of Ashes in the River
- 31. Join Water Conservation Organizations
- 32. Volunteer and help Cleaning of Beaches, Rivers and Locality

30+ Simple and Easy Ways to Reduce Water Pollution Now

Let's have a look at 30+ easy and simple ways that you can do to reduce the water pollution going on today.

1. Use Less Plastic

It is very difficult to break down plastic after it is produced. Much of the plastic we consume ends up in the world's water supply, where it is even harder to fish out and safely throw away.

If you can use as few plastic items as possible, you are helping the environment. Plastic waste also spreads decay in the water supply.

2. Reuse Items

Whenever you buy something that is not recyclable, such as plastic, it is better to reuse this item as many times as possible. This habit limits your consumption and means less of those products will end up in the world's rivers, lakes, and oceans.

3. Recyclable Options

If there are two options for a particular item, try to pick the one that is easily recyclable. Glass bottles are much better for the environment than plastic, for example.

4. Do Not Dispose of Oils in the Sink

While there is nothing wrong with consuming oils in your food or applying them on your body, it is a bad idea to dispose of grease, fat and used cooking oil in the sink or down the drain.

It is better to dispose of oils in the garbage, or collect all your excess oil in one bottle and then throw that away.

5. Cleaning Chemicals

Similar to oils, cleaning chemicals are hazardous when they enter the water supply. If you are emptying containers of household cleaning supplies, do it in the trash can, not in the sink.

6. Handle Toxic Chemicals Properly

The toxic chemicals like ammonia, bleach, paint, paint thinner, and many other chemicals are becoming a severe problem, and if these are dumped down the drain or the toilet, the effects add up. Therefore proper disposal of these is important.

There are many recycling centers and drop-off sites for safe disposal of these hazardous wastes that can take the old paint, used motor oil, and other chemicals and recycle them.

7. Shop to Stop Water Pollution

Try to avoid buying products that contain persistent and dangerous chemicals in the first place. Nowadays, companies are selling non-toxic cleaners and biodegradable cleaners and pesticides.

If you spend a little extra money on those products, it automatically cuts down on water pollution.

8. Do Not Throw Away Medicines

Never throw away medicines in the water supply, either. Even if you do not need them, it is a bad idea to flush pills, liquid or powder medications or drugs down the toilet or crush them in your kitchen sink disposal.

Hormones and other compounds end up causing adverse effects on fish and other aquatic wildlife, on septic systems and contaminate drinking water. Follow the safe way for proper disposal for all types of medical wastes.

9. Avoid Toilets For Throwing Household Items

Do not throw household items, such as dust cloths, tissues, dental floss, wrappers, and other paper goods into the toilet when you are done with them.

Toilet paper is specifically made in a way that breaks down easily in water pipes, but the fiber-reinforced cleaning products that pollute the system.

10. Garbage Disposal

Even though most homes have a garbage disposal system in the sink, it is better to use it as rarely as possible. This system can break down solid objects, but those items are harmful to the water supply. It is better to throw them in the trash can when possible.

11. Dishwashing or Laundry

Only use your dishwasher or washing machine when it is close to being full. Using these machines to clean one or two dishes or a few pairs of clothes is an incredible waste of water. The less amount of water you use during washing, the less you promote water pollution.

12. Limit the Use of Detergents and Bleaches

While it is okay to use detergents and bleaches in dishwashers and washing machines, it is better to limit your use as much as possible. Do not put two cups of bleach in your washing machine when the instructions only call for half a cup.

13. Use Phosphate-Free Detergent

Phosphates present in cleaners are harmful chemicals. Phosphates lead to algae blooms and reduce the oxygen in the water that kills fish and other aquatic animals.

14. Use Environmentally Friendly Detergents

Whenever possible, get environmentally friendly detergents, soaps, and dishwashing liquids. While these are sometimes more expensive, you are doing the environment a great service by using less harmful substances.

15. Gardening

While everyone wants a nice garden in their home, it is incredible how much water we waste during that process. Install a rainwater harvesting pit in your home because it can catch rainfall throughout the year and allow you to use that to water your grass and plants.

16. Avoid Pesticides

If you need to overhaul your garden, attempt to do so without using any herbicides or pesticides. These are very harmful to the environment. Talk to landscaping companies in your area about environmentally-friendly replacements for these products.

17. Conserve Soil

When chemicals get into the soil, they spread through the water because of the topsoil getting carried by the falling rain. This is normal, but if the soil is exposed to excess phosphates or harmful substances, it can cause serious damage to the ground. Contrast banks right in front of waterways so that you can stop the soil's movement.

18. Do Regular Car Maintenance

In case you have a car, truck, or another mechanical device, you should try to take it for maintenance after regular intervals. Oil and other fluids that leak from motor vehicles end up in the local water system or running off into creeks and streams.

This runoff problem can be easily solved if you are diligent about maintaining and repairing your vehicles. Leaky seals, hoses, and gaskets tend to become expensive mechanical problems. Replacing the worn parts can also save you money.

This ensures the item is running efficiently and not polluting the environment that much. Remember, pollution in the air does have an eventual impact on our water supply.

19. Oil Spill

The waste that gathers up when you are working on your car or other mechanical devices is harmful to the environment. Oil and transmission fluid are two examples of substances you do not want in your drains or sewers.

20. Cellar Drains or Septic Tanks

If you have a cellar drain or septic tank, be sure that it is not draining directly into your sewerage system. This can cause serious issues and pollution in the system. Talk to your local water authority about proper ways to manage a cellar drain or septic tank.

21. Just Do Not Litter!

If you are visiting an area where there is a nearby lake, river, or ocean, do not throw any type of litter or trash into or near the water. Even if you throw away a wrapper on the beach, the tide will eventually pick it up and take it into the water supply.

groundwater-pollution-waste-plastic — Source: Canva

22. Use Water Sparingly

Turn off the tap while you are brushing your teeth. Bathing actually uses a lot more water than showering. But do not take 20-minute showers when 10 minutes is all you need. Every bit of water you conserve is a way to help the environment.

Install a water-efficient toilet. For the time being, a brick or 1/2 gal container can be used in the standard toilet tank to reduce water use per flush.

23. Plant Fauna at Lakes or Rivers

If you live in an area where a lake or river is present, you might want to think about planting some local fauna near the water.

Trees are also helpful. Not only do they look beautiful when they grow, but these natural items reduce erosion that washes pollution into the water and help protect the nearby water supply from pollutants. Fauna also limits the Carbon Dioxide in the water, which balances out its pH level.

24. Clean Up Litter

If you see someone littering near water, ask them to keep their items and throw them somewhere else. If you see litter on the floor, pick it up and put it in a bag and throw it away when you get home. It is easy to think that someone else will do the job, but we can all help each other and our environment by being proactive.

25. Stop Chemical Pollution

If you notice someone throwing chemicals into the water, or hear about such an incident, talk to your local water authorities about the matter. Tell them what you saw or know and implore them to take action. If you stay quiet, you are letting the problem get worse.

26. Eat Organic Food More

Sticking to an organic diet reduces the amount of chemical pollution that ends up in the water. Organic foods tend to be produced with few synthetic chemicals.

27. Choose Food Wisely

The food we choose to eat has a severe impact on the quality of the environment. The chemicals used to grow food, the fuel used for transportation of the crops, and the fuel used to run farm equipment on industrial farms ultimately impact the environment.

28. Buy Sustainable Meats

While you enjoy a hamburger from time to time, it is essential to think about the impact of factory farms on our water supply. These farms produce huge amounts of waste, which ends up harming the nearby water supplies.

Whenever possible, buy sustainable meats instead of those produced at factory farms.

29. Best Is Cutting Down on Meat Consumption

Animals that are raised for meat takes lots of water for the food and grains they need, as well as to keep them alive. Moreover, the antibiotics and solid waste both tend to end up in groundwater and rivers.

30. Stop Immersion of Ashes in the River

While it is a common practice, especially in the Hindu religion, to immerse the ashes of a deceased person into the holy water of sacred river Ganga, it pollutes the river water and adversely affects the water quality.

Dead bodies are cremated on the river banks. Partially burnt bodies are also flung into the river to keep up with religious faiths.

31. Join Water Conservation Organizations

If you have time, you can join a water conservation organization. If you have a busy schedule, consider donating to a nearby organization a few times a year. Even small donations can have a positive impact on those who are fighting to keep our water supply safe and healthy.

32. Volunteer and help Cleaning of Beaches, Rivers and Locality

Sometimes you cannot afford to donate, but you can volunteer to help clean up the local rivers or beaches or help collect thrown away chemicals from local residents. Some environmental groups regularly need volunteer labor, join them.

References:

Solution to Water Pollution

Water Pollution by WWF

Problems of Water Pollution by NCBI

Water Pollution Facts by UNESCO