Our planet's fresh water resources are derived from two sources ground water and surface water.
Through Every Stage of the Water Life Cycle
Our planet's fresh water resources are derived from two sources ground water and surface water. Usable fresh water amounts to less than 1% of the total water that resides on earth. It is the most precious resource we have, yet human kind continues to pollute it.
Around the world governments and individuals are starting to realize that we no longer can take fresh water for granted. We need to be more diligent in protecting its resource, that is crucial to plant and human survival.
To make changes in our habits we must understand the life cycle of water and how it may be impacted from unpredictable weather derived from climate change and other human activities that interrupt the ecological balance of clean water.
The Natural Life Cycle of Water
Water is heated by the sun and evaporates from surface water as vapor, it also transpires from trees and plants. The vapor condenses in the atmosphere to develop cloud formations, at some point these clouds become heavy with moisture and precipitation is released. Precipitation falls as rain,hail, or snow, depending on the climate and temperature. When precipitation reaches the ground it percolates through the surface, saturating the soil, and becomes groundwater. When soil does not have the capacity to absorb the water, water accumulates on the surface and flows into rivers and ponds via drains or basins, some are man-made and others are naturally formed [1].
As climate change continues to make rain patterns more unpredictable, safeguarding ground and surface water to ensure minimal pollutants penetrate collection systems are becoming more and more important. There are no other more pronounced situations where this is happening than in India. A perfect example of pollution destroying fresh water resources to a point that it has now become a crisis in their country.
Natural Water Cycle
Fresh Water Pollution
Human activities in the home, industrial and agricultural settings produce waste that pollutes the atmosphere and ground and makes its way into our fresh water. Among some of the biggest pollutant threats to surface and ground water is the discharge that comes from plumbing, septic and sewage.
Waste from the home is flushed away into septic and sewage systems, where it is treated. In North America sewage treatment processes can filter water to return to the ecosystem clean and drinkable. However, many of the treatment chemicals used can be harmful to the environment. And unfortunately, due to underfunded municipalities and governments that aren’t focusing on sustainable water treatment, much of the waste is returned to ground and surface water untreated. Older systems combine sewage and storm drainage and can easily overflow from heavy rainfall. Capacity is a continually growing problem with human population growth. Leaks, overflow, and treatment cells held in surface waters can all pollute ground water with raw sewage and treatment chemicals. For more information on improper sewage treatment check out this article: “Billions of liters of raw sewage, untreated waste water pouring into Canadian waterways” from CBC News “Billions of liters of raw sewage, untreated waste water pouring into Canadian waterways” from CBC News [2].
Pollution entering the fresh water cycle
In almost every industry water is used in manufacturing processes, production of raw materials, and energy production. The water used picks up pollutants and chemicals in industrial cleaners during the processes [3]. Only the most toxic waste from these facilities are treated along with sewage discharge, but lots of it is discarded into drainage systems with storm water where it is diluted but may not be treated correctly.
Farm waste from livestock manure and crop fertilizers can easily make its way into the ground water when rain causes runoff. Crop fertilizers contain high amounts of phosphorus to stimulate the growth of plants, when this phosphorus is introduced to water it continues to stimulate growth of algae, weeds, and aquatic plants as well. The increase in aquatic plant growth in the water causes excess nutrients and the bacteria can’t keep up with the decay.
This is not just about the pollution of the water cycle, its about how the pollution of water can affect our food chain. Surface water can become contaminated with toxins and heavy metals, and the water is used for irrigation of crops, drinking for livestock, and growing fish. When livestock and fish ingest the water, they are ingesting heavy metals like mercury, arsenic, lead, and iron. While the concentration of these metals is very little and may not harm the animal directly, it can bio accumulate over time. This means that when humans eat these animals they are ingesting high levels of these metals, which can cause many health problems such as kidney failure and nerve damage.
Fresh Water Pollution Must be Addressed
There Are Two Ways to do This
1. Remove the pollutants from contaminated waters
2. Reduce the amount of pollutants introduced to the water at the source
Nature’s Pond powered by Koenders Water Solutions has natural processes to do both.
1. Removing Pollutants from Contaminated Water
Nature's Pond powered by Koenders Water Solutions Inc has been working with Farmers, Municipalities, Golf Courses, and Pond Owners for the last 30 years manufacturing products that reduce the need for chemical treatments, and clean and clear water naturally. Nature’s Pond has designed a proven 3 Step Program to do this.
Clean water cycle
STEP 1 – RENEW
Natures Pond Conditioner is made from a natural blend of beneficial bacteria, enzymes, plant extracts and a food-grade dye. This powerful formula goes to work breaking down and consuming phosphorus, nitrogen, cyanobacteria, and other polluting nutrients to start the process towards clean and clear water. Nature's Pond Conditioner comes in Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer treatments so you can treat your pond year-round.
STEP 2 – REVIVE
Once the nutrients have been broken down, bottom up aeration infuses the water with oxygen, allowing the digested nutrients to make its way out of the pond and into the air. The oxygen supports the beneficial bacteria in the water to further help eradicate cyanobacteria and polluting nutrients. Koenders Water Solutions manufacture's several models of electric and windmill powered aeration systems. You can find a full product list at www.koenderswatersolutions.com
STEP 3 – REMOVE
Finally remove unwanted aquatic vegetation manually to maintain the health of your pond with the Cutter n’ Rake. Removing vegetation is much more effective that killing it off with herbicides and algaecides, when this approach is used the dead matter sinks to the bottom, creating a build up of muck and sludge. The best way to avoid this is by simple removal with a Cutter n' Rake, with a detachable floating head you can effectively cut and rake out vegetation from the surface and depths of a pond.
Learn more about our 3 Step Pond Care Program here https://www.savingtheplanetswater.com/blog/a-natural-3-part-pond-care-program-that-works
2. Reducing Contaminants that are Polluting the Fresh Water Resources
Koenders Water Solutions now manufacturers a natural treatment that reduces toxic discharge from plumbing, septic and sewage which has a huge impact on ground and surface water resources.
Nature's Pond '4-in-One Plumbing, Septic & Sewage' is a highly concentrated mix of beneficial bacteria and enzymes suspended in purified water - a simple, 'Ready-To-Use', safe and versatile product designed to clean all plumbing and septic systems right from dishwashers and washing machines to the plumbing that feeds septic and sewage such as kitchen sinks, toilets, drains in barns and everywhere else. Its liquid form protects the bacteria from heat, cold and humidity, extending the shelf life to 24-36 months.
This blend has unique capabilities which enhances the natural metabolism of Fats, Oils and Greases (FOG) of human, animal and plant origin. Over 70% of plumbing issues such as odors and clogs are derived from excess FOG and organic waste. FOG's and organic waste also have an impact on downstream water treatment, whether that be septic and sewage in rural areas or city water treatment facilities. FOGs, especially, can deplete oxygen levels in receiving waters, clog sewage systems by restricting capacity and can block pipes (Fatbergs) and damage equipment resulting in treatment facility down time.
Nature's Pond 4-In-One Plumbing, Septic and Sewage
For more information about 4-in-One Plumbing, Septic, and Sewage visit Nature's Pond Care or by phone at 1-888-777-4933.
Sources:
http://www.naturespondcare.com/education/india.html
https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/water-overview/basics/hydrologic-cycle.html
http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/Oc-Po/Pollution-of-Lakes-and-Streams.html
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/sewage-pollution-wastewater-cities-1.3889072