Pipes Pouring Into the River

About this drawing

River pollution from factories happens when wastewater full of chemicals, oils or heat is dumped straight into a stream. Farms and towns can add to the problem with fertilizer runoff and sewage, and together they change how the water looks, smells and feels.

Dirty water holds less dissolved oxygen, which fish need to breathe, so they may get sick or die. Some pollutants are toxic and build up in the food chain, moving from tiny insects to fish to the birds and people who eat them. A single spill can harm a river for miles downstream.

In the United States, the Clean Water Act of 1972 made it illegal to dump pollution into rivers and lakes without a permit, and many waterways have recovered since then. Wastewater treatment plants also help by screening out trash, letting solids settle and using helpful bacteria to break down waste before the water is released.

The worried faces of the two kids in this scene make a natural conversation starter. Ask how they would feel standing on that bank, who should fix the problem and what families can do, like keeping cooking grease and wipes out of the drain.

• water pollution
• rivers
• factories
• clean water
• environment