Figure 21.16: Municipal and agricultural pollution. ( 15 )Types of Water Pollution
Municipal Pollution
Wastewater usually contains many different contaminants. This makes it difficult for the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to identify the main source when toxic chemicals
are found in wastewater. The pollution coming from homes, stores and other businesses is
called municipal pollution (Figure21.16). Contaminants come from:
- Sewage disposal (some sewage is inadequately treated or untreated)
- Storm drains
- Septic tanks: sewage from homes
- Boats that dump sewage
- Yard runoff (See agriculture discussion of fertilizer waste)
Industrial Pollution
Many kinds of pollutants from factories and hospitals end up in our air and waterways
(Figure21.17). Some of the most hazardous industrial pollutants include:
- Radioactive substances from nuclear power plants, as well as medical and scientific