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Water Pollutant Problem/Solution Paper

In: English and Literature

Submitted By treclewis
Words 713
Pages 3
What kills more living things than tobacco and alcohol combined each year and is growing exponentially? The answer is water pollutants. Each year we lose a valuable waterway that suffocates all living things within it and the economy which surrounds it. Florida's Treasure Coast is a prime example of this growing problem. Not only are its wildlife and economy affected, but the people coming in contact with the water are getting sick as well. If no action is taken now, their future will be as dark and rotten as the water that was once enjoyed but now desolate.

The combination of rain run-off and substantial water discharges from Lake Okeechobee are creating a toxic wasteland for the Indian River lagoon, St. Lucie River and Estuary. This includes inadequately treated sewage, manure, fertilizer and other harmful pollutants. An upwards of 1.2 billion gallons of water per day is being discharged from the lake into the above mentioned surrounding waterways, leading to high bacterial levels and toxic algae blooms. Not only does this force people out of the water due to health risks, but it's also killing the entire ecosystem. Dengue fever and other diseases have risen dramatically and have claimed lives, human and animal, in its path. Deaths in species such as manatees, dolphins, and pelicans have reached a record high in the 150 mile long estuary that runs along Florida's east coast. To top it off, with the area being nearly 100% marine related, economic death is occurring in a wide spread, downward spiral.

First, in order to take action on the devastating effects of Lake Okeechobee, one must be educated on the damage being done and the importance of the waterways. Incorporating mandatory curriculum into our school systems is one way to ensure ecosystem education. By doing so you're setting future generations up for success in better caring for the environment around

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