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Have the following information available: the address and nature of spill or runoff. Take pictures, and if you can, get
a sample in a sterile container. Take photos and record the time and date.
Note:
Always wear gloves and eye protection, and never go into a pipe!
top Identifying a water polluter is a snap when you spot a single pipeline spewing wastes.
It's not so simple when you consider that the line-up includes nearly everything we do
on land. It all contributes to nonpoint-source pollution- polluted runoff that enters surface,
ground water, and the oceans from widespread and distant activities.
It can lead to beach and shellfish-bed closings, and spoiled habitats for fish and other
aquatic life.
The State of America's Oceans Report
Pew Oceans Commission. This report
covers the state of America's oceans, the first comprehensive review of U.S.
ocean policy in more that 30 years. The report provides recommendations for restoring
and protecting ocean ecosystems, rebuilding fish populations, controlling
coastal development, curbing pollution, and improving ocean governance. (June 2003)
- Urban/StormWater Runoff
Urban runoff from buildings and paved surfaces carries sediment, nutrients, bacteria, oil, trace
metals, chemicals, road salt, pet droppings, and litter. During non-rainy season and rain events.
- Automobiles
Leaking oil and motor fluids run off roadways and into waterways. Brake dust is a growing
concern because new soft pads are made with copper. Copper is very toxic to marine
biota, tons of copper is entering coastal waters from storm drains that drain freeways and
roadways. Emissions send nitrogen and other contaminants into the atmosphere, eventually to
settle into coastal waters.
- Land Clearing
Construction, clearing land, and logging often lead to soil erosion, putting more sediment in
rivers and coastal waters. Filling in wetlands takes away vast natural water filters that can break
down many common pollutants before they reach other water bodies. Fine sediments are like
magnets for hydrocarbons and other toxics when they're in the runoff flows.
- Sewage
Sewage, leached from faulty septic systems, old city line's not being maintained, or dumped
directly overboard instead of emptied at boat pumpout stations, contributes nutrients and
disease-causing organisms.
- Air Pollution
Airborne pollutants, chiefly from factories and automobiles, are responsible for almost a third
of all contaminants and nutrients entering marine waters.
- Industrial Waste
Industrial runoff brings heavy metals and other compounds into marine waters, from
industrial-waste landfills, from mining, and from storm water draining off of industrial sites.
- Endocrine (Hormone) Disruptors
There is mounting concern in the scientific, environmental, private, and governmental sectors
concerning a wide range of substances, known as endocrine disruptors, that have the potential
to interfere with the normal functioning of a living organism's hormone system. Endocrine
disruption has the potential to compromise proper development in organisms, leading to
reproductive, behavioral, immune system and neurological problems, as well as the development
of cancer. Effects often do not show up until later in life.
Chemicals that mimic or antagonize the female hormone estrogen, the male hormone testosterone
as well as thyroid hormones are currently receiving the most attention. All three hormone groups
are needed to support life in humans and other mammals as well as amphibians, fish, birds, and
reptiles. Possible effects on invertebrates also are receiving attention. In order to manage fish and
wildlife populations for the American people, the Fish and Wildlife Service addresses the risks
and effects of industrial organic pollutants, metals and pesticides, including those that may possess
endocrine activity, on the natural resources of the country.
- Agriculture and Livestock
Runoff from barnyards, feedlots, and cropland contributes nutrients from manure and fertilizers,
as well as pesticides and eroded soil.
top
Once buried, plastic bottles can take as long as 700 years to decompose !
More than 1 billion water bottles are being tossed into the state's landfills or incinerated annually,
a Department of Conservation study says. That adds up to an estimated $26 million in unclaimed
California Refund Value!
The plastic is taking up increasingly precious space in the state's landfills. When incinerated,
it releases chemicals that can poison the environment or exacerbate breathing disorders,
the study says.
If recycled, the billion bottles could be converted into 74 million square feet of carpet, 74 million
extra-large T-shirts or 16 million sweaters, the study said.
In a survey of San Diego residents, here are the most prevalent behaviors admitted to that contribute
to pollution in urban runoff:
- 78 percent allow water from car washing to run onto pavement
- 23 percent allow water from garden watering to run into gutter or street
- 16 percent sometimes don't pick up dog droppings while walking the dog
- 23 percent don't always pick up dog droppings in their own yard on a regular basis
- 32 percent of those who own RVs don't always use a formal waste station to dump holding tanks
from recreational vehicles
- 29 percent don't clean up paintbrushes, rollers and pans in an appropriate location, such as a sink,
tub or toilet
- 29 percent dump paint down a storm drain or gutter
- 19 percent dump cooking grease down kitchen sink or other drain at home rather than place
grease in trash
- 42 percent don't clean sewer line between home and sewer main on a regular basis
- 23 percent sometimes litter
- 23 percent sometimes use recreational water as a bathroom rather than actual restroom
Source: JD Frantz Research Inc
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