Contaminant - any constituent in the water deleterious to a particular end use regardless of its origin and whether it occurs

in the watershed, source or in a water supply system Pollutant - any constituent in the water source deleterious to a particular end use that is of anthropogenic origin Types of pollutant Pollution of Streams and Lakes Ocean Pollution Groundwater Pollution Drinking Water Quality Waste Water Treatment Water Legislation Point sources factories, sewage treatment plants, mines, oil wells, oil tankers Nonpoint sources acid deposition, substances picked up in runoff, seepage into groundwater Disease-causing Agents pathogens Oxygen Demanding Agents organic waste: manure Water-soluble Inorganic Chemicals acids, toxic metals Inorganic Plant Nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus Organic Chemicals oil, pesticides, detergents Sediment or Suspended Material erosion, soil Water-soluble Radioactive Isotopes radon uranium Heat electric and nuclear power plants Sources of organic matter Natural inputs-- bogs, swamps, leaf fall, and vegetation aligning waterways. Human inputs-- pulp and paper mills, meat-packing plants, food processing industries, and wastewater treatment plants. Nonpoint inputs-- runoff from urban areas, agricultural areas, and feedlots. Metallic elements having a density greater than 5 g/cm3 Sources of Heavy Metals Natural, Industrial, Burning fossil fuels, Environmental Pollution

Causes of acid rain Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) are the primary causes of acid rain. In the US, about 2/3 of all SO2 and 1/4 of all NOx comes from electric power generation that relies on burning fossil fuels like coal. As of the year 2000, the most acidic rain falling in the US has a pH of about 4.3. Inorganic Plant Nutrients Organic Chemicals Sediment or Suspended Material Water-soluble Radioactive Isotopes Heat Genetic Pollution Organic Chemicals Sediment or Suspended Material Water-soluble Radioactive Isotopes Heat Genetic Pollution Degradable: That can be chemically decomposed: decomposable plastic wastes Photodegradable: that the product is decomposed (broken down) by exposure to light Biodegradable: Capable of being decomposed by biological agents, especially bacteria Thermal Pollution occurs when water is withdrawn, used for cooling purposes, and then heated water is returned to its original source 75% of 175,000 known waste disposal sites in US may be producing hazardous subsurface plumes (contaminated regions of the subsurface) Screening - the removal of any coarse floating objects, weeds, etc. from the water. Aeration - dissolving oxygen into the water to remove smell and taste, promote helpful bacteria to grow, and precipitate nuisance metals like iron and manganese Disinfection - water completely free of suspended sediment is treated with a powerful oxidizing agent usually chlorine, chlorine then ammonia (chloramine), or ozone. Troublesome organics: Activated carbon filters are required where soluble organic constituents are present because many will pass straight through standard plants, e.g. pesticides, phenols, MTBE and so forth