Facilitators-Handbook-For-Permaculture

Workshop Module 2: Natural Patterns and Permaculture Design 79

Pollutants and

their source Impacts

Solutions/

alternatives

Why it is more

sustainable

Soaps and shampoos

from washing in streams

and rivers Polluted water,

which can travel

downstream

Health problems

in water plants

and creatures,

animals, and

people

Use natural soaps and

shampoos

Ingredients in natural

soaps break down very

quickly into harmless

chemicals

Soaps from washing

vehicles in streams and

rivers

Create separate

washing areas with

water treatment

systems

Chemicals are treated and

become harmless before

Soaps from washing they enter the river

machinery in streams

and rivers

Outflow from chemical

farming inputs (fertilizers

and pesticides)

Use natural farming

techniques

No polluting chemicals

enter rivers

Toxic paints and other

chemicals, including

oil and grease from

machinery and vehicles

Can harm and kill

water creatures in

rivers and oceans

Blocked

waterways

Flooding

Damaged

irrigation systems

Beautiful natural

environments

become ugly

Create special areas

for paints, used oil,

etc, if possible send

to waste treatment

Stops damage to the

rivers and the general

environment

Non-biodegradable

wastes dumped into

rivers and streams,

like household wastes,

plastic bags, plastic

packaging from soaps

and shampoos, etc

Avoid using plastic

whenever possible

Recycle whenever

possible

Don’t dump ANY

plastic waste in rivers

Bury or burn plastic

using fast burning

rubbish systems

Waste is reduced

Wastes are recycled

Causes much less damage

to the environment, stops

damage to rivers

Defecating in rivers and

streams

Polluted water,

which can travel

downstream

Spread of water

born diseases

Use toilets whenever

possible

Create black water

cleaning systems

Use compost toilets

Stops the spread of

diseases and pollution

through water systems

Table 1 - Pollutants and their impacts Table 2 - Solutions/alternatives

Step 3

After each workgroup has drawn their conclusions about the solutions/alternatives, they

can present the results to the entire group for feedback and other suggestions.

Note: The same processes described above can be used by the facilitator to work with

the participants to brainstorm solutions about other types of pollution.