Forms Of Water Pollution

There are many forms of water pollution. Here are some of the common ones that you may read about:

• E.coli - These bacteria (micro-organisms) are caused by animal waste in the stormwater system, septic tank overflows etc. The level of E.coli in water is used as a guide to the amount of these wastes in the water.
• Toxic chemicals - Many chemicals used in industry are poisonous to wildlife (and humans). Dioxin and heavy metals, such as mercury, are well known examples of the thousands of toxic chemicals produced by industry. Even in small quantities, toxic chemicals are a very serious cause of water pollution. They are harmful to the sewage treatment process and pass through largely untreated.
• Oil - All kinds of oil end up in our waterways through accidental spills or illegal dumping. Because oil floats on the surface of water, any oil spill can be dangerous.
• Plastics - An average Australian household uses around 2,000 plastic bags in a year. Plastic bags and other plastic items are very useful around the home but can have disastrous effects on marine life. A great deal of this plastic pollution finds its way into the sea through stormwater drains.