- Pass laws to control pollution emissions from different sources, such as factories and
agriculture. - Pass laws that require polluters to clean up water they pollute.
- Provide money to build and run water treatment facilities (and fund research to im-
prove water quality technology). - Educate the public, teach them how to prevent and clean up water pollution.
- Enforce laws.
TheUnitedNationsandotherinternationalgroupshaveestablishedorganizationstoimprove
global water quality standards. Some international organizations provide developing nations
with the technology and education to collect, treat, and distribute water. Another priority
is educating the people in these countries about how they can help improve the quality of
the water they use.
In the United States, legislators passed the Clean Water Act which gives the Environmental
Protection Agency the authority to sets standards for water quality for industry, agriculture
and domestic uses (Figure21.23).
Figure 21.23: Scientists control water pollution by sampling the water and studying the
pollutants are in the water. ( 19 )
One of the toughest problems is enforcement, catching anyone who is not following water
regulations. Scientists are working to create methods to accurately track the source of water
pollutants. Monitoring (tracking) methods allow the government to identify, catch and
punish violators.
Who is responsible for reducing water pollution? Everyone who pollutes water is responsible
for helping to clean it up. This includes individuals, communities, industries, and farmers.