We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Industry

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is the Most Common Waste in Water?

By Felicia Dye
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 6,895
Share

Water pollution can be found in many forms, such as human and animal waste, which can both cause widespread illness. Due to industrial pursuits, hazardous materials are present in some surface and ground water supplies. Waste in water commonly results from human recreation such as boating. The lack of proper sanitation services largely contributes to the prominence of household garbage in water in some places.

The type of waste in water tends to be greatly affected by location. People in rural areas where most households have private wells are likely to find different pollutants than people in cities where water is supplied by the municipality. Likewise, citizens in one country may have issues that are not experienced by people in another nation.

Animal waste in water is a problem that can be found around the globe. In many developed countries, there are strict regulations regarding the maintenance of livestock to help reduce these risks, but even these may not completely eliminate the problem. Animal waste is a major concern because the microorganisms that these pollutants introduce into water systems can cause widespread illnesses, which are often fatal.

Hazardous waste in water at the surface and under ground is often a problem for people who live in industrial areas or near factories. Such businesses are often located near large bodies of water. It is not uncommon for it to be discovered that a factory or plant has attempted to lower its operational costs or circumvent regulations by illegally dumping waste into a body of water. The resulting illness of individuals living nearby is often a tip-off of the problem.

Surface water is also heavily polluted by individuals. In underdeveloped countries, this is especially problematic. People commonly live without the convenient facilities that individuals have in developed nations. As a result, they use rivers, lakes, and streams as toilets, for bathing, and for laundry. Even worse, as there generally is little or no garbage removal service, the waste in water in these countries largely consists of household garbage.

In developed countries, although the amount of waste in water and the types of pollutants may vary, it is still common to find that humans are creating problems. One major contributing factor is water recreation. Motor oil and fuel from boats are very prominent in some waters. Although in these nations people generally have adequate access to sanitation services, it is still commonly found that individuals throw unwanted objects overboard.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By Viranty — On Mar 15, 2014

@RoyalSpyder - Honestly, that's one thing I really don't like about geese. As harmless as they are, the problem is that they're always pooping. Yes, I know that every animal does this, but with geese, it seems like it's more frequent. Maybe this is due to the fact that they always travel in groups. Either way, something really needs to do done to resolve this issue. As the article indirectly states, not only can the surrounding water become contaminated, but even more so, they can spread their filthy germs and diseases into the water systems.

By RoyalSpyder — On Mar 14, 2014

What caught my attention the most in this article is when animal waste in water is mentioned. In the old city that I lived in, this was more than just a huge problem. Right by my school, there was a pond, where all of the geese would hang by. Every few weeks, the water would become disgustingly contaminated. It was brown, green, and there was sludge everywhere. However, after doing some research, I found out what the issue was - animal waste. When the geese were/are in the water, they poop a lot, causing it to become contaminated overtime.

By Chmander — On Mar 13, 2014

As the article states, water comes in many forms of pollution. In my opinion, this is what makes it "unique", per se. In other words, there's not an exact or definitive term for water pollution.

Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-the-most-common-waste-in-water.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.