Water is a vital resource for any city, and Cashion, Oklahoma, is no exception. As a small city in the northwest part of Oklahoma, Cashion is a thriving community that relies heavily on its water sources for everyday life. Cashion’s water supply comes from various sources, including local wells, surface water from nearby lakes, and water purchased from Oklahoma City (Eck et al., 2019). Additionally, Cashion is home to a state-of-the-art water treatment facility that provides safe, clean drinking water to the city’s residents.
The city of Cashion also has a unique relationship with its local water sources. The nearby lakes provide recreational opportunities for the citizens of Cashion, including fishing, boating, irrigation, swimming, and camping which helps the agricultural industry in Cashion (Eck et al., 2019). This essay discusses the quality of water as per the report of 2021 obtained from the municipality, the quality issue and the source of pollution, and how the pollution impacts human health and the environment while identifying the management practices to minimize water pollution.
In Cashion, the water quality is monitored by our local municipality. The most recent water quality report for Cashion was issued in 2021. It found that the water complied with all local and federal regulations. It also stated that the water was free from harmful contaminants like lead, bacteria, and pesticides (2021 water quality report, 2021). In addition to checking for contaminants, the report also tested for levels of certain minerals.
The report found that the water had good calcium, magnesium, and potassium levels. These minerals can benefit health and are commonly found in water sources. The report also tested for chlorine, which is used to disinfect water and kill harmful bacteria. The report found that chlorine levels in the water were within acceptable levels. This is important, as high chlorine levels can be hazardous to health. Overall, the water quality in Cashion complies with all local and federal regulations.
Various sources of pollution have affected the water quality in the community, including point sources, non-point sources, and natural sources. Point sources of water pollution in Cashion include several industrial factories and two Superfund sites (Datta et al., 2018). The factories release various environmental pollutants, including heavy metals, petroleum products, and other hazardous chemicals. The Superfund sites are former industrial sites that have been contaminated with hazardous materials and require remediation. The pollutants from these sites can contaminate the local water supply and cause harm to human health.
Additionally, non-point sources of water pollution in Cashion are primarily attributed to agricultural runoff. Runoff from agricultural fields can contain pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals that can harm aquatic life and human health (Datta et al., 2018). Additionally, agricultural runoff can also cause eutrophication, which occurs when excess nutrients from runoff cause algal blooms that can deplete oxygen in the water. Further, natural sources of water pollution in Cashion include sedimentation and runoff from storm events. Sedimentation can cause turbidity in the water, reducing the amount of sunlight that can penetrate the water and limiting the growth of aquatic plants and organisms. Also, storm runoff can cause flooding, increasing the number of pollutants entering the water, including oil and petroleum products, heavy metals, and other hazardous materials.
Pollution from both point sources and non-point sources is having a significant impact on the environment and human health in Cashion, Oklahoma. According to Weckler (2021), point sources, such as industrial factories and Superfund sites, are responsible for releasing pollutants directly into the environment, while non-point sources, such as agricultural runoff, contaminate the environment through indirect methods. For example, industrial factories can release pollutants into the air, water, and soil, while agricultural runoff can contaminate soil, water, and air with pesticides, fertilizers, and other toxic chemicals.
These pollutants can have a devastating effect on the environment and human health, such as contributing to air pollution, water contamination, and soil degradation (Weckler, 2021). Additionally, they can lead to various health issues, including asthma, respiratory problems, and cancer. In Cashion, Oklahoma, two specific examples of point source pollution are the Cargill Meat Solutions plant and the Cashion Superfund Site. Two particular examples of non-point source pollution include agricultural runoff from nearby farms and sediment from local construction sites (Weckler, 2021). Clearly, both point and non-point sources are having a drastic impact on the environment and human health in Cashion, Oklahoma.
Several management practices can be employed to minimize water pollution in the area. These include reducing wastewater discharge, implementing stormwater management plans, and increasing public awareness. Each of these practices is essential for maintaining a healthy and safe environment for Cashion’s citizens and the environment (Dalcin & Fernandes Marques, 2020). By reducing the amount of wastewater discharge, Cashion can ensure that contaminants are not released into nearby water sources. Consequently, stormwater management plans will help to reduce the amount of runoff and pollution entering local waterways (Dalcin & Fernandes Marques, 2020). Finally, increased public awareness helps ensure that individuals take the necessary steps to reduce their environmental impact.
In conclusion, the water quality in Cashion complies with all local and federal regulations and is free from harmful contaminants. However, the water quality is still being impacted by a variety of sources of pollution, including point sources, non-point sources, and natural sources. To protect the environment and human health in Cashion, it is crucial to implement management practices that reduce water pollution and increase public awareness. By doing so, Cashion can ensure that its citizens have access to clean and safe drinking water and that its environment is protected.
References
“2021 water quality report.” (2021). Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust. Web.
Dalcin, A. P., & Fernandes Marques, G. (2020). Integrating Water Management Instruments to Reconcile a Hydro‐Economic Water Allocation Strategy with Other Water Preferences. Water Resources Research, 56(5). Web.
Datta, S., Taghvaeian, S., Ochsner, T., Moriasi, D., Gowda, P., & Steiner, J. (2018). Performance Assessment of Five Different Soil Moisture Sensors under Irrigated Field Conditions in Oklahoma. Sensors, 18(11), 3786. Web.
Eck, C. J., Wagner, K. L., Chapagain, B., & Joshi, O. (2019). A Survey of Perceptions and Attitudes about Water Issues in Oklahoma: A Comparative Study. Journal of Contemporary Water Research &Amp; Education, 168(1), 66–77. Web.
Weckler, P. (2021). Spatial distribution of water pollution incidents reported to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Web.