We have had a lot of rain this month. I know that rain is good for the grass and flowers, and it helps to clean things off, but it can also be problematic by causing Stormwater pollution. Understanding Stormwater pollution is quite simple. When it rains, it pours, and when it pours, the Stormwater process is set in motion. Stormwater comes from precipitation. Rainwater flows over the ground. Stormwater that does not soak into the ground becomes surface runoff. Like driveways, sidewalks, and streets, impervious surfaces prevent rainwater runoff from quickly flowing into the ground. That is why Stormwater pollution problems are significant in more populated areas. This runoff becomes polluted as it runs along roads, parking lots, roofs, commercial spaces, lawns, and farms. As the water flows along, it picks up anything in its path. The water carries pollutants such as automotive fluids, fertilizers and pesticides, bacteria, sediments, litter, and pet waste.
Runoff leads to significant waterway issues. Surface runoff flows directly into local creeks, streams, and waterways or into storm drains or sewers that eventually flow into waterways (rivers, streams, lakes, oceans). Typically there is no process for treatment before these waters enter local channels. So, the waters that we love to play in, swim in, boat in, and let's not forget we also get drinking water from these waters can become contaminated by the debris that joined the Stormwater. The noticeable thing about this debris is that we, including you and me, and our lifestyles cause these problems. Indeed, we have many issues with Stormwater and waterway pollution. Still, our problems reduce when you examine the significant issues in many countries around the world. Here are just a few examples.
Polluted drinking waters are a problem for about half of the world's population. Each year there are about 250 million cases of water-based diseases, resulting in roughly 5 to 10 million deaths. (Source: Top Facts about Pollution) The effects of water pollution are varied and depend on what chemicals are dumped and in which locations. Over 27% of the urban population in the developing world does not have piped water in their homes. (UNESCO) A lack of safe water and sanitation in cities leads to cholera, malaria, and diarrhea. (WHO)
In developing countries, 70% of industrial wastes are dumped untreated into waters, polluting the usable water supply. Accidents involving oil tankers or offshore platforms, or oil pipelines have at times caused extensive oil spills. Such spills are the most apparent causes of acute oil pollution of the marine environment. An estimated 200 million gallons of used motor oil are improperly disposed of in the USA by dumping it on the ground, tossing it in the trash (ending up in landfills), or pouring it down storm sewers and drains. (EPA)
Water pollution is very harmful to humans, animals, and water life. The effects can be catastrophic, depending on the kind of chemicals, concentrations of the pollutants, and where there are polluted. The main problem caused by water pollution is that it kills organisms that depend on these water bodies. Pollution disrupts the natural food chain as well. Pollutants such as lead and cadmium are eaten by tiny animals. Later, these animals are consumed by fish and shellfish, and the food chain continues to be disrupted at all higher levels, even up to us humans.
Ecosystems (the interaction of living things in a place, depending on each other for life) can be severely changed or destroyed by water pollution.
To find out ways that you can make a difference, check out our website: www.keeplibertybeautiful.org. Then, contact us at Keep Liberty Beautiful at 912 880- 4888 or klcb@libertycountyga.com to get involved today.
Don't forget to donate your shoes from now until September 18, 2021. We have a great community partner joining in on the support, Rotary Club of Hinesville! Thank you and, next week, there will be collection boxes at the following locations: Connection Church, GeoVista Credit Union, and Thomas Hill Jewelers.
We hope you plan to join us on August 21, 2021, to conduct the Great Georgia Pollinator Census from 10:00am to 12:00pm at the KLB office. Please RSVP at https://bit.ly/pollencensus to ensure we have enough supplies and food.