Water Pollution Information

GEI Works Makes Products to Prevent Water Pollution

Triton turbidity barrier controls pollutants released into waterwaysWater is an important element to life on Earth and possibly the most endangered element on Earth. While some pollution is man-caused, the job of protecting our water supply from water pollution falls back to man alone.

Lakes, rivers, oceans, and groundwater all require constant vigilance to maintain clean and healthy water supplies for all life on the planet. Damage to indigenous biological communities is done when pollutants are discharged into any of these water supply sources. The danger applies not only to plant and animal life but to human life as well. Pollution contamination potentially will wipe out entire species if not curbed and contained.


Water Quality

Debris boom captures floating water pollutantsWhile the finger of blame is most often pointed at developed countries like the U.S., underdeveloped countries have millions of deaths annually that are directly due to unhygienic conditions and lack of clean water.

Water quality is contaminated by natural causes also, including volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, storms and algae blooms.

When water quality becomes so poor that it is rendered unable to support fish or is unsafe for human consumption it is in a state of pollution.

Water Contamination

Common sources of contamination include construction site activity, drainage ditches and runoffs, pipes, sewage treatment facilities, storm sewer systems, roadways and parking lots.

Staked turbidity barrier prevents stormwater runoff from polluting nearby water systemsGroundwater becomes polluted when a spill occurs above ground but seeps down into the underground aquifer and then spreads out.

Plant matter and cloudiness (turbidity) in water disturbs plant growth and clogs the gills of fish.

Toxic chemical spills easily cause disease and death in plants, fish and animals. Poorly managed sewage treatment releases bacteria into the environment, as will runoff drainage from livestock excrement.

Organic and inorganic contaminants destroy water quality. These include detergents, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), waste products, insecticides, fertilizers, chemicals, trash, and shipwrecks. Thermal pollution is another hazard to water quality that causes changes to plant and aqua life water temperatures become unstable.

Pollution In Water Bodies

One problem inherent with pollution of a liquid such as water is in its capability to spread out over a large area.

Oceans used for dumping become hazardous with large areas of trash that collect and subsequently interfere with avian and fish life.

Underground contamination runs out miles from the source of pollution.

Once pollutants enter the food chain through consumption by lower animals that are then eaten by higher animal life, the contamination causes disease or death and spreads further to humans.

Water Containment And Treatment

Unprotected storm drains introduce water pollution into the canals, rivers and oceansOnce detected, water pollution requires containment and treatment to clean water sources. Common problems to fix include silt build up and turbidity in the water.

Silt and debris clogs and contains contamination and pollutants. Turbidity in the water causes clouding that damages the ability of fish and plants to obtain oxygen.

Using water pollution control tools allows companies doing remediation to comply with Clean Water Act (1998) and NPDES phase II (National Pollution Discharge Elimination System) regulations.

Protecting water resources from pollution is essential to quality of life for all living things. There cannot be enough emphasis put upon the need for remedial action.
