Water Pollution: Sources and Solutions Worksheet

Question 1

A storm washes litter from a parking lot into a storm drain that leads to a nearby creek. Explain how the litter can become water pollution.

Accepted Answer

The litter can become water pollution because rainwater carries it into the storm drain and then into the creek. The trash can harm animals, block sunlight, and make the water unsafe.

Question 2

Name two possible sources of water pollution from a farm.

Accepted Answer

Two possible sources of water pollution from a farm are fertilizer and animal waste. Rain can wash these materials into streams, ponds, or groundwater.

Question 3

A family pours old paint down a sink drain. Describe why this is harmful and what they should do instead.

Accepted Answer

Pouring old paint down a sink drain is harmful because chemicals in the paint can pollute water and hurt living things. The family should take the paint to a household hazardous waste collection site or follow local disposal rules.

Question 4

Look at the scene of a river near a town. List three things in the scene that could pollute the river.

Accepted Answer

Three things that could pollute the river are trash on the ground, oil leaking from cars, and fertilizer washing from lawns. These pollutants can be carried into the river by rainwater.

Question 5

Choose the better action: washing a car in a driveway or washing a car at a car wash that treats its wastewater. Explain your choice.

Accepted Answer

Washing a car at a car wash that treats its wastewater is the better action. Soap, dirt, and oil from a driveway can wash into storm drains, but a car wash can collect and treat the dirty water.

Question 6

A pond has too much algae after heavy rain washes lawn fertilizer into it. Explain how fertilizer can cause this problem.

Accepted Answer

Fertilizer contains nutrients that help plants grow. When too much fertilizer enters a pond, algae can grow quickly and cover the water, which can reduce oxygen for fish and other animals.

Question 7

Sort each item as a point source or nonpoint source of pollution: a pipe releasing dirty water from one factory, oil washing off many roads after rain, and fertilizer running off many lawns.

Accepted Answer

A pipe releasing dirty water from one factory is a point source because it comes from one clear location. Oil washing off many roads and fertilizer running off many lawns are nonpoint sources because they come from many places.

Question 8

Explain why picking up pet waste helps protect water quality.

Accepted Answer

Picking up pet waste helps protect water quality because rain can wash the waste into storm drains, streams, or lakes. Pet waste can add harmful bacteria and extra nutrients to the water.

Question 9

A student sees someone throwing a plastic bag near a stream. Write one polite sentence the student could say to encourage a better choice.

Accepted Answer

The student could say, "Please put that bag in a trash can so it does not wash into the stream and harm animals." This sentence is polite and explains why the action matters.

Question 10

Study a simple diagram of the water cycle with clouds, rain, land, rivers, and groundwater. Explain one way pollution on land can reach water.

Accepted Answer

Pollution on land can reach water when rain falls and washes pollutants into rivers, lakes, or storm drains. Some pollution can also soak into the ground and reach groundwater.

Question 11

A school wants to reduce water pollution. Choose two actions the school could take and explain how each one helps.

Accepted Answer

The school could place more trash and recycling bins outside so litter is less likely to wash into storm drains. The school could also plant a rain garden to soak up runoff and filter some pollutants before they reach nearby water.

Question 12

A construction site has bare soil near a stream. Explain why this can be a water pollution problem after a rainstorm.

Accepted Answer

Bare soil can be a water pollution problem because rain can wash loose dirt into the stream. Too much sediment can make the water cloudy, cover fish eggs, and harm habitats.

Question 13

Which is the best way to dispose of used motor oil: pour it in a ditch, put it in a storm drain, or take it to a recycling center that accepts oil? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

The best way to dispose of used motor oil is to take it to a recycling center that accepts oil. Pouring it in a ditch or storm drain can pollute soil and water and harm living things.

Question 14

In a watershed, all water drains to the same river, lake, or ocean. Explain why people who live far from a river can still affect the river's water quality.

Accepted Answer

People who live far from a river can still affect its water quality because runoff from their streets, yards, and neighborhoods can flow through storm drains, ditches, or smaller streams into the river.

Question 15

Write a short plan with three steps your family could follow to help prevent water pollution at home.

Accepted Answer

A family plan could include picking up litter and pet waste, using less fertilizer on the lawn, and taking chemicals such as paint or oil to proper collection sites. These steps help keep pollutants out of storm drains, soil, and nearby water.

Water Pollution: Sources and Solutions

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