Pollution and Water Quality

According to the United Nations, declining water quality has become a global issue of concern as human populations grow, industrial and agricultural activities expand, and climate change threatens to cause major alterations to the hydrological cycle. Resources available in this sub-theme include manuals describing water quality testing and treatment, reports and assessments of water quality from around the world, methods of maintaining water quality and managing pollution, and other resources that support enabling environments for effective water quality control.

Pollution and Water Quality Resources

The complicated history of environmental racism

Publication date:
July 22, 2021
Many people understand the environment as a force of nature that cannot favor or disfavor different populations. However, similar to all things on Earth, the environment is subject to human influences. Unfortunately, these influences often tend to lower their hands to the worsts of our society...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
United States

Op-ed: Water Pollution in Iowa Is Environmental Injustice

Publication date:
July 22, 2021
Environmental injustice and systemic racism affect communities throughout the United States, but many communities in rural states face additional challenges. The farming activities prevalent in many rural areas can inflict serious damage on water resources, but the damage does not involve all...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
United States

Indianapolis: When Lead and Racism Are Both in the Water

Publication date:
July 22, 2021
Many policymakers and activists have heard about the environmental injustice and water disasters in places like Flint, Michigan, but Indianapolis, Indiana, is a lesser-known epicenter for environmental racism. Indianapolis’ history of heavy industry and manufacturing not only put lead directly into...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
United States

Water Pollution: Everything You Need to Know

Publication date:
July 22, 2021
Natural Resources Defense Council
This widespread problem of water pollution is jeopardizing human health. Unsafe water kills more people each year than war and all other forms of violence combined. Meanwhile, drinkable water sources are finite: Less than 1 percent of the earth’s freshwater is actually accessible for human use...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
Global

How Industrial Agriculture Affects Our Water

Publication date:
July 22, 2021
Industrial agriculture is one of the leading causes of water pollution in the United States. Studies have found that 46 percent of the nation’s rivers and streams are in “poor biological condition,” and 21 percent of lakes are “hypereutrophic” (meaning that high levels of nutrients are degrading...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
United States

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