Fresh Water/Oceans

Fresh Water

How does this affect me?

Scientists and other researchers have identified most single (so called “point”) sources of water pollution. For example, industrial waste from a factory could wreak havoc with our fresh water if allowed to escape.

Yet, we still need to research the effects of the following materials that regularly come into our rivers:

• Human and livestock waste
  
  
• Fertilizers from agricultural, horticultural, and gardening operations
  
  
• Oil, rubber, and grease from our cars, coming off roads and parking lots

North Carolina hosts many rare and unusual animals, such as freshwater mussels and a variety of amphibians (frogs and salamanders). Alarmingly, they are disappearing quickly as a result of these types of contamination in our rivers. Disappearing freshwater mussels and amphibians provide clues about the quality of our water — and in some areas, it’s not good news.

Our water purification facilities catch most bacteria, viruses, and mineral/chemical contaminants, but these facilities don’t catch everything. We risk our health if we use polluted water to drink, cook with, and even swim in. Many risks to surface water also affect our underground and therefore well water.

Many North Carolina industries need clean water. If they have to clean the water themselves rather than use our natural water, the companies must purchase decontamination materials. So their costs to produce clean water go up. When companies’ costs become too high, companies may leave and employees lose their jobs.

Although North Carolina has plentiful freshwater resources above and below ground, many newer developments have and could continue to run short of water during droughts. Development planning does not always consider where the water is going to come from and water is not only needed by humans. All living organisms and systems need it.

Did you know that North Carolina is the 8th most visited state by tourists? Tourism is a very valuable industry. But, polluted water detracts from our state’s attractiveness, leading to reduced tourism and loss of jobs. That impacts our economy. 

North Carolinians are changing the way that our ecosystem puzzle fits together. When we pollute our rivers and lakes, we ultimately affect:

• The wetlands,
  
  
• Animal life,
  
  
• The plants,
  
  
• The fisheries,
  
  
• The oceans,
  
  
• Tourism,
  
  
• Water supplies to our homes, and
  
  
• Our health.