About River Pollution
The threat of global climate change we are currently facing has seriously undermined the problem of river pollution. Climate change is without a doubt the most serious environmental problem the humanity has ever faced in history, however, the effects of river pollution can have devastating consequences as well if the problem does not receive more attention. The measurements of the river water quality in the UK show encouraging results in the recent years but the things are progressing extremely slowly, while many people remain unaware of the impact their everyday actions have on the river water quality.
Unfortunately, most people tend to be unaware that the things they throw in drains and toilets end up in the nature in one form or another. Warnings on the labels such as “hazardous to aquatic life” therefore often remain unnoticed, while the problem with river pollution remains closely associated with industry. Toxic industrial waste remains a serious river pollutant, however, it is not the only factor that makes our rivers potentially dangerous for wildlife species and human health. Just as problematic is agricultural pollution as the chemicals used on farmland can be washed off into rivers by rain, illegal rubbish dumps near the rivers, sewage and in the end, irresponsible human actions such as pouring car oil, pharmaceuticals and a number of other hazardous substances into drains and toilets.
The effects of river pollution range from mild to extreme, depending on the severity of pollution. In the worst case, rivers can become too toxic for life which can lead to extinction of animal and plant species on a particular area or even complete disappearance of life in the river. And when a river becomes dead, it often causes a permanent loss of biodiversity which affects humanity as well in a number of ways.
In addition to harming the environment, river pollution is also a major public health concern. Many towns and cities are supplied with drinking water from rivers and as a result, a drop of the river water quality can affect the health of millions of people. It may be true that the water is purified and that the contaminants are removed before the water is supplied to our homes, however, drinking water is not entirely free of contaminants. These must be within the safe amounts but there is a major difference if they are present only in traces or just below the safe levels.
River pollution is a serious environmental problem which can have devastating consequences for life on Earth including humanity. But since it is rarely caused by a single factor, it requires a complex approach which must include increasing public awareness about the effects of river pollution on the environment and human health as well as measures an individual can take to help protect the rivers. The public must be made aware that the river water quality affects everyone not just the communities that live nearby rivers and that yearly clean-ups do not solve the river pollution problem.