How to Reduce Water Pollution

Last Updated: August 24, 2022 References Approved

Water is one of the world's most important resources, and we can all do our part to stop it from getting polluted. Simple changes like using natural cleaning products instead of toxic ones in your home and planting more trees and flowers in your yard can make an important impact. On a larger scale, consider speaking up against industries that dump waste into local streams, rivers, and beach fronts to reduce water pollution in your community. Every action you take makes a difference.

1

Use fewer chemicals to clean your home.

Natural cleaners are just as effective at getting the house clean. It's an easy switch that makes a big difference. Using toxic chemicals like bleach and ammonia to clean your home is not only bad for the water supply, it's not necessary. With natural cleaners, you don't have to worry that you're contributing to water pollution when you use them.
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides a list of cleaning products (as well as a variety of other products) that are considered "green," meaning they won't pollute the water supply. See epa.gov/greenerproducts.^{[1]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  United States Environmental Protection Agency
  Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices
  Go to source}
- Common household supplies like white vinegar and baking soda can be used for everything from washing windows to scrubbing bathroom tiles, and they're completely non-toxic.

2

Dispose of waste properly.

Never pour something that isn't biodegradable down the drain. When it is necessary to use something that's toxic to the water supply, such as paint or ammonia, take care to dispose of it properly. If you're not sure how to get rid of something, check your local government's website or contact your sanitation department to find out how toxic waste should be disposed of in your community. The following materials should never be poured down the drain:
- Paint
- Motor oil
- Cleaning solvents
- Ammonia
- Pool chemicals

3

Don't flush medication.

Use a local “take back” program for safe disposal instead. Medication is made with a variety of substances that can be detrimental to the water supply. Local "take back" programs allow you to turn in medication so it can be disposed of properly and without any risk of contamination.^{[2]
X
Trustworthy Source
National Resources Defence Council
Multinational environmental advocacy group focused on grassroots activism and legislative action
Go to source} That way it won't end up back in the drinking water, where it can harm people and animals.

4

Don't flush trash.

Instead of flushing them down the toilet, throw them away. Flushing items that don't break down, like diapers, wet wipes, and plastic tampon applicators can cause problems in the sewer system. These items will eventually end up in local streams, rivers and other bodies of water, where they can harm fish and other wildlife.
- You can also help by using cloth diapers, recycled toilet paper and biodegradable tampons, which reduces the number of items that end up in the landfill.

5

Conserve as much water as possible.

Conservation is an important way to help preserve water as a global resource.^{[3]
X
Expert Source

Kathryn Kellogg
Environmentalist
Expert Interview. 28 June 2019.} Treating water so it's clean enough to drink and use around the house requires a lot of energy, so it's important to conserve as much as possible, especially in areas where droughts are occurring. Adopt the following habits to conserve more water around your house:
- Take showers instead of baths, since baths require more water.
- Turn off your faucets when you aren't using water, such as when you're brushing your teeth.
- Don't overwater your lawn. Make sure lawn sprinklers are turned off when it rains.
- Water your garden before the sun comes up or after it sets to reduce evaporation, which leads to water waste.^{[4]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  National Resources Defence Council
  Multinational environmental advocacy group focused on grassroots activism and legislative action
  Go to source}

6

Avoid using plastic.

Since it isn't biodegradable, plastic often ends up collecting in water sources. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, for example, is a huge vortex of trash, mainly plastic, that has collected in the ocean since it has nowhere else to go.^{[5]
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Research source} This trash endangers marine life and affects humans as well. Whenever possible, use glass or cloth containers instead of plastic.

7

Don't use pesticides and herbicides.

These chemicals leach deep into the ground and get into the groundwater below. Contaminated groundwater can have a negative effect on the environment as well as the people who depend on it. Switch to natural methods for getting rid of pests and weeds.
- Look into organic gardening practices to find creative ways to deal with garden pests. For example, many pests can be dealt with using a simple solution of dish soap and water.
- Planting native species can also help, since native species have developed a resistance to the pests and weeds in the area. Species native to other lands are more susceptible to disease as well.

8

Replace concrete with ground cover

Keeping your lawn is much better for the environment. When a house is surrounded by concrete patios and other surfaces, chemicals pool and runoff leaches into the groundwater instead of getting evenly distributed staying closer to the surface. It might be tempting to pave over your yard so you don't have to deal with mowing the lawn, but it’ll have a negative impact.

9

Prevent soil erosion from occurring.

Plant tree and local ground cover to support your soil. When soil gets eroded and ends up in streams, rivers and other waterways, chemicals that exist in soil mix with the water and create problems for plant and animal life. For example, when phosphorus levels get too high in a body of water, they lead to algae blooms that can kill fish populations. The plants' roots hold the soil in place and keep it from falling into the water.^{[6]
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Research source}

10

Contain and compost yard waste.

Yard waste that sits around can easily wash into storm drains when it rains. Even if the waste doesn't contain chemicals such as herbicides and pesticides, the introduction of large quantities of sticks, leaves, and grass clippings can overwhelm waterways with unhealthy quantities of nutrients.
- Your compost should be contained in a bin or barrel to prevent the materials from being washed away. Some municipalities provide these for free or at low cost.
- Use a mulching mower instead of bagging grass clippings. Mulching mowers add a natural layer of compost to your lawn and you don't have to deal with disposal of grass clippings.
- Dispose of yard waste and grass clippings properly. If you don't compost or if you have yard waste that you can't compost, contact your local waste management or environmental protection agency to determine how to dispose them.

11

Keep your car in good repair.

Oil and chemical leaks can leach into the groundwater beneath the soil. Get your car regularly tuned up and make sure to repair any leaks as soon as they occur.
- In addition, don't forget to dispose of motor oil properly instead of washing it down the drain.
- Make sure to get your tires inspected at an auto repair shop at least once a year. Tire shreds are a major pollutant in the world's oceans because they often are washed into storm drains and end up in waterways. Keeping your tires cared for is a simple way to have a huge impact!|^{[7]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Kathryn Kellogg
  Environmentalist
  Expert Interview. 28 June 2019.}

12

Get involved at school and work.

Encourage and educate your peers to get involved. You can take the same actions at work or school that you'd take at home to reduce water pollution. Look into the policies at your workplace or school and find out if there are changes you could help to facilitate to create a pollution-free environment. Getting classmates, teachers, and coworkers involved is a great way to educate others and make a difference.^{[8]
X
Expert Source

Kathryn Kellogg
Environmentalist
Expert Interview. 28 June 2019.}
- For example, you could recommend that your office or school switch to eco-friendly cleaning supplies, and make suggestions as to which ones work well.
- You could also put up signs reminding people to conserve water in the bathroom and kitchen areas. This could include reminders never to leave a sink running longer than necessary and encouraging the men or boys to use urinals rather than toilet stalls.

13

Help clean up litter in water-filled areas.

Volunteer for a cleanup day in your city to purify local waterways. If you live near a local body of water, there's a lot you can do to help reduce pollution there. See if there's a group working to clean up local beaches, lakes, rivers or oceans.
- If you can't find a local group working to reduce water pollution in your area, you might be just the person to start one! Consider hosting a cleanup day. Set a date, publicize the event, and have a plan in place for collecting and disposing of the trash.

14

Speak up about water issues that affect your community.

You might be able to make a bigger impact on a local level. Corporations that allow industrial waste to seep into waterways are the biggest culprits when it comes to water pollution.^{[9]
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Research source} There are regulations in place to prevent this from occurring, but it's still a common occurrence. Find out if there's a certain factory or energy plant in your area responsible for polluting local waterways, and speak up about the problem.
- Learn about local and national laws against water pollution and join up with groups working to protect water in your area.^{[10]
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  Research source}
- Voting for political candidates who strive to protect waterways is a great way to do your part to reduce pollution.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I bathe or wash in a body of water without polluting it?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Strictly speaking, it's not possible. Even if you didn't use any soap or other cleansing agent, your skin oil and other contaminants would enter the water.
Question

Why do people litter?

Community Answer

Because they're lazy and uncaring and would rather just drop their garbage wherever they are than look for a place to throw it away.
Question

How can we save water?

Community Answer

Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth. This can save 6 liters of water per minute. Place a cistern displacement device in your toilet cistern to reduce the volume of water used in each flush. You can get one of these from your water provider. Take a shorter shower. Showers can use anything between 6 and 45 liters per minute. Always use full loads in your washing machine and dishwasher. This cuts out unnecessary washes in between. Fix a dripping tap. A dripping tap can waste 15 liters of water a day, or 5,500 liters of water a year. Install a water butt to your drainpipe and use the water collected to water your plants, clean your car and wash your windows.