In comparison, the number of people living on earth is increasing every year. This means more people are sharing the same amount of fresh, clean water. That is why we have to make sure that we do not contaminate or pollute our water sources.
When we throw rubbish into the river and dump toxic waste into the ocean, we pollute the water. Polluted water can kill fish and animals that drink it. It can also make us very sick.
"Is water from the pipe we use and drink safe?" you may ask. Yes, because it has been treated. Natural water from the river and rain is not safe because it is not treated and often is polluted by impurities and, even, chemicals.
To make water safe for drinking, we have to treat it in a water treatment plant. Water is pumped from the river into a water intake plant. From here, the river water is pumped to the filtration plant where water is soaked through beds of sand and gravel. The art and impurities stay behind in the sand and gravel, producing clean water. This clean water flows into clean water tanks where chlorine is added to kill any germs and bacteria. In addition, fluoride is added to give dental protection. This clean and treated water is safe for consumption and is pumped to balancing reservoirs. From here, taps will carry water through a network of pipes to taps in your homes and factories.
"So why can't we treat and clean all the pollution and make water safe and clean?"
Not all pollution and contamination can be treated in a water treatment plant. But, we can help stop and prevent contamination of our water source.
