I’m Thirsty! Climate Change and its Effects on Water Quality

Contributors: Nobi Kennedy, Bamidele Osamika, Leah Ross, Mitch Singstock, Anna Parnigoni, Van Sullivan, and Viviana Saldarriaga 

This piece is a part of Green Umbrella’s 2024 PSA Campaign on climate health impacts, highlighting a recent report completed with Scioto Analysis which was supported in part by bi3, HealthPath, and the Interact for Health Data for Equity grant.

Water is the most vital part of human life, making up 60-75% of a human body’s weight. A loss of just 4% of total water leads to dehydration, and a loss of 15% can be fatal. Because clean, safe, and accessible water is vital, polluted water is a threat to community health. 

The Toxic Truth

In Ohio, only 86% of its rivers meet the state water quality standards. The Ohio River is the main source of water for more than five million people in the Greater Cincinnati region alone, but in 2020, the EPA considered the Ohio River Basin one of the most toxic watersheds in the nation. The Ohio River has significant water pollution issues due to a combination of industrial activities, agricultural runoff, and inadequate waste management. Discharge of industrial waste has moved into the Ohio River watershed from other states, causing the highest burden of toxic discharges than any other watershed in the country. Many of these discharges are permitted by law and the impact of the pollutants are widespread.

Navigating Water Pollution, From Source to Waterway

Water pollution occurs when contaminants such as chemicals, pathogens, and organic or  inorganic substances get into water sources, rendering it unfit for consumption. Water pollution can occur in a number of ways, and because of the physical nature of water, pollution affects more than the area where it is released.

Point source pollution can be pinned to origins like factories, power plants, and other industries. This type of pollution is subject to federal regulations, unlike nonpoint source pollution. Nonpoint source pollution is released at a specific point and carried by stormwater runoff, precipitation, atmospheric deposition, drainage, and/or seepage to other locations. It can present as sediment, litter, bacteria, nutrients, metals, oils, grease, or chemicals that enter lakes and streams. Also known as “pollution runoff,” nonpoint source pollution is difficult to control as it stems from unregulated origins, such as flooding or runoff.

Agriculture and Water Health

Agricultural operations have a significant impact on water quality due to nonpoint source pollution. Management of animal waste, soil erosion, and soil nutrient loss; proper disposal of chemical pesticides; and working with local conservation partners ensure nonpoint source pollution can be monitored. Extreme climate events and poor agricultural management practices can lead to runoff carrying fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste. This further degrades water quality, prompting algal blooms and harming aquatic life. 

Urban Impacts on Water Quality

Paved surfaces are impervious to water, making urban environments more susceptible to nonpoint source pollution. Pavement makes it easier for stormwater to pick up, absorb, and carry pollutants. Debris from construction, landscaping chemicals, and sewer overflow can contaminate natural waterways and city drinking water sources. Exacerbated by climate change, intense and more frequent downpours can overwhelm stormwater management systems and allow for contaminants to enter local water supplies.

Warmer Planet, Dirtier Waters

The rise in global overall temperatures contributes to higher levels of bacteria and toxins in our waterways, posing serious threats to public health. Increased water temperature can result in:

• Surges in bacteria like E. coli
• Increased concentrations of metals and other toxins in water
• Decreased oxygen available to aquatic life
• Algal blooms

Warming, along with more frequent and severe weather events, is deteriorating the quality of our water supplies and the ecological life that inhabit our waterways.

What You Can Do for Cleaner Water

Taking steps at home to secure clean water is essential for safeguarding against contaminants often found in tap water, particularly after an extreme weather event, such as flooding which could compromise drinking water. Utilizing water filters, whether installed at the faucet or within your refrigerator, can significantly reduce the presence of harmful substances. Additionally, boiling water is an effective method for eliminating many pathogens. Maintaining a clean watershed is a crucial component of community health. By preventing trash, medications, non-degradable items, and chemicals from entering our drainage systems, we help limit pollution and protect water quality. Citizens can take part by keeping litter and debris from collection in street drains and by throwing out medications instead of flushing them. Participating in local river cleanups and advocating for improved water quality standards can further contribute to the health and safety of our community.

Prioritizing Clean Water

Access to clean drinking water is fundamental to creating a livable, healthy environment and it is at the center of the climate crisis globally. Understanding both point source and non point source pollutants, cities can mitigate the effects of urban runoff by installing permeable surfaces, rain gardens or bioswales which can help absorb rain water. For urban areas where there is less natural landscape to filter contaminated waters, underground tanks and separation units with hydraulic buffers, physicochemical filtration and adsorption systems can offer innovative and realistic solutions to urban runoff challenges. The EPA issues drinking water standards to ensure that the tap water we consume is safe. Better management of industrial waste is also necessary to minimize water contamination. Corporations should be held accountable, as improper disposal of waste into our rivers threatens our ecosystem. As extreme weather, precipitation, and flooding become more prevalent, strategies to address climate impacts on water and investing in robust sewage and water treatment infrastructure is crucial. Advancements will not only mitigate the risk of disease but also enhance our capacity to cope with future environmental challenges. For further details, review these environmental insights and actions aimed at sustainable community practices.

Resources

• EWG Tap Water Database

Federal assistance programs

• One Water Council
• Clean Water Act
• Water Quality Improvement grants (OH)
• Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Grant Program (OH)
• Brownfield Grants
• Emergency Watershed Protection

Learn more about Water Quality and climate change by viewing a recording of our latest Climate Health Webinar.

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