Mitigating Water Pollution: Key Causes and Effective Water Testing Solutions

Water pollution remains a pressing issue worldwide, posing significant threats to both the environment and public health. Various contaminants found in water can cause severe risks, underscoring the necessity for rigorous monitoring and testing.

As a global leader in inspection, verification, testing, and certification, SGS is committed to supporting efforts to uphold clean water standards. This article explores three major causes of water pollution and demonstrates how SGS's comprehensive water testing services help mitigate these issues.

Mitigating Industrial Pollution

Industrial operations often produce an array of pollutants, including heavy metals, chemicals, and organic waste. These pollutants, if not properly managed, can contaminate water resources. Factories and manufacturing plants may inadvertently introduce harmful substances such as lead, mercury, and arsenic into the water supply through untreated or inadequately treated wastewater. These industrial pollutants pose a significant threat to water quality, impacting both the environment and public health.

SGS's industrial hygiene services help industries identify, manage, and mitigate these risks. Our comprehensive water quality testing includes analyses for volatile organics, semi-volatile organics, pesticides, PCBs, herbicides, petroleum hydrocarbons, metals, microbiology, and general chemistry methods. By ensuring compliance with local and international regulations, SGS aids in maintaining safe and clean water standards.

Addressing Agricultural Contamination

Agriculture is another major source of water contamination. The use of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides can lead to nutrient runoff, which can harm water bodies. Overuse of nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers can trigger excessive algae growth, depleting oxygen levels in water and endangering aquatic life.

SGS offers robust agricultural water testing services that include soil and water testing to ensure the safe and sustainable use of agrochemicals. Through our services, we assist farmers in managing their use of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, minimizing their impact on water sources and the broader ecosystem. Our testing services encompass groundwater and surface water, employing low-level methods to meet federal or local regulations.

Managing Sewage and Wastewater Pollution

Untreated or inadequately treated sewage and wastewater are significant contributors to water pollution. They contain organic matter, pathogens, and potentially hazardous chemicals, which, if released into water bodies without proper treatment, can spread diseases, cause eutrophication, and contaminate drinking water supplies.

SGS provides advanced wastewater testing services to detect and quantify these pollutants. Our services include pre- and post-treatment analysis to verify permit requirements, ensuring that wastewater treatment processes are effective and compliant with environmental regulations. This aids in the prevention of water pollution and protects public health.

Specialty Testing and Laboratory Water Testing

SGS's specialty testing services include analysis for explosives, dioxins/furans, PCB congeners, PFAS, and radiological analyses. Our laboratory water testing and pharmaceutical water system validation services are designed to maintain high standards of water quality. With advanced methods, SGS reduces the cost of field sampling and transportation while delivering superior results with smaller sample volumes.

Regular monitoring of water purification systems is crucial to ensure the safety of finished products. SGS offers testing for drinking water, groundwater, surface water, wastewater, stormwater, and more, providing comprehensive solutions to meet regulatory requirements and safeguard public health.