an argumentative essay about sewage spill

Sewage Spills is the Biggest Threat We are Facing in South Africa: An Argumentative Essay Guide

Sewage Spills is the Biggest Threat We are Facing in South Africa: An Argumentative Essay Guide :

The issue of sewage spills in South Africa has become a topic of growing concern in recent years, as the country continues to grapple with the negative consequences of these occurrences on public health, the environment, and the economy. T his article aims to provide a comprehensive guide for students who are tasked with writing an argumentative essay on this critical subject matter. By examining the root causes, the impact on various sectors, and the proposed solutions to address this crisis, students will be well-equipped to develop a robust and thought-provoking argument. Engaging in such discourse is crucial for fostering awareness, facilitating informed debates, and ultimately driving meaningful change in South Africa’s approach to sewage management.

Table of Contents

Sewage Spills in South Africa is a Serious Issue

Sewage spills in South Africa pose a significant threat to the environment, as they lead to the pollution of rivers, lakes, and other water sources, which in turn disrupts ecosystems and destroys habitats. A prime example of this is the ongoing contamination of the Vaal River, South Africa’s second-largest river, which has been severely polluted by sewage spills from the Emfuleni Local Municipality. The deterioration of water quality has resulted in massive fish kills, the loss of aquatic biodiversity, and the spread of invasive species such as the water hyacinth. Consequently, the contamination has had a ripple effect on the environment, disrupting the balance of ecosystems and threatening the survival of various species that depend on these water sources.

The public health risks associated with sewage spills in South Africa are another major cause for concern. The release of untreated sewage into water sources can lead to the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid fever, particularly in communities that rely on these sources for drinking, bathing, and other daily activities. For instance, the Sebokeng sewage spill in 2018 contaminated nearby water sources and posed serious health risks to local residents, who were exposed to harmful pathogens and bacteria present in the sewage. In such cases, communities often experience outbreaks of waterborne diseases, putting immense pressure on the already strained healthcare system in the country.

The economic costs associated with sewage spills cannot be overlooked. South Africa’s tourism industry, which contributes significantly to the national economy, can suffer greatly from the negative publicity associated with contaminated water sources and polluted environments. For example, the ongoing sewage spills in the Vaal River have discouraged recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and bird-watching, leading to the decline of tourism revenue in the area. Additionally, sewage spills can impact the agricultural sector, as polluted water used for irrigation can contaminate crops, rendering them unfit for consumption or sale. This not only affects the livelihoods of farmers but also contributes to food insecurity in the affected regions.

Sewage Spills in South Africa: An Argumentative Essay Guide

Introduction

• Briefly introduce the topic of sewage spills in South Africa
• State the purpose of the essay: to present an argumentative essay on the causes, consequences, and possible solutions to sewage spills in South Africa
• Provide a roadmap of the main points that will be discussed in the essay

Causes of Sewage Spills

• Aging Infrastructure: Discuss how aging and poorly maintained infrastructure contributes to sewage spills (e.g., the 2018 Sebokeng sewage spill)
• Urbanization and Population Growth: Describe how rapid urbanization and population growth have put pressure on existing sewage systems (e.g., the expansion of informal settlements)
• Insufficient Funding and Resources: Explain how a lack of funding and resources has hindered the maintenance and improvement of sewage infrastructure

Consequences of Sewage Spills

• Environmental Impacts: Discuss the impacts of sewage spills on the environment, such as pollution of rivers and ecosystems (e.g., the contamination of the Vaal River)
• Public Health Risks: Explain how sewage spills can lead to waterborne diseases and other health risks for local populations (e.g., cholera outbreaks)
• Economic Costs: Describe the economic costs associated with sewage spills, including tourism and agricultural losses (e.g., the loss of recreational opportunities along the Vaal River)

Relevant Acts and Regulations

• National Water Act (1998): Explain the key provisions of the act and how they relate to sewage spills
• The Water Services Act (1997): Describe the responsibilities of local authorities and the national government in providing water services and managing wastewater
• National Environmental Management Act (1998): Discuss the environmental principles and pollution control measures outlined in the act

Examples of Sewage Spills in South Africa

• Sebokeng Sewage Spill (2018): Describe the spill, its causes, and consequences for the local community and environment
• Vaal River Contamination (ongoing): Discuss the ongoing contamination of the Vaal River due to sewage spills, and the consequences for the surrounding communities and ecosystems
• Durban Sewage Spill (2019): Explain the circumstances surrounding the spill and its impacts on the environment and public health

Proposed Solutions

• Infrastructure Upgrades: Argue for the need to invest in upgrading and maintaining sewage infrastructure to prevent future spills
• Environmental Education and Awareness: Advocate for increased education and awareness campaigns to inform the public about the consequences of sewage spills and the importance of proper waste disposal
• Strengthening Regulations and Enforcement: Make a case for stronger regulations and enforcement of existing laws to hold polluters accountable and prevent sewage spills
• Summarize the main points of the essay
• Emphasize the urgency of addressing sewage spills in South Africa to protect the environment, public health, and the economy
• End with a call to action for stakeholders to take immediate steps to address the issue

In conclusion, this article has provided students with a thorough guide for crafting an argumentative essay on sewage spills in South Africa. By exploring the complex factors that contribute to this issue, students are better positioned to understand the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for intervention. As South Africa works towards a sustainable future, it is essential for young scholars to engage with pressing topics such as this and contribute to the discourse by articulating well-informed, evidence-based arguments. Through academic endeavors and public engagement, the next generation can play a vital role in addressing the challenges posed by sewage spills, safeguarding the environment, and ultimately improving the quality of life for all South Africans.

How Sewage Pollution Ends Up In Rivers

3.5 MILLION AMERICANS GET SICK EACH YEAR AFTER SWIMMING, BOATING, FISHING, OR OTHERWISE TOUCHING WATER THEY THOUGHT WAS SAFE.

Where does human waste mingle with household chemicals, personal hygiene products, pharmaceuticals, and everything else that goes down the drains in American homes and businesses?

And what can you get when rain, pesticides, fertilizers, automotive chemicals, and trash run off the streets and down the gutters into those very same sewers? Sewage backing up into people’s basements. Sewage spilling onto streets and parks. Sewage pouring into rivers and streams.

Each year, more than 860 billion gallons of this vile brew escapes sewer systems across the country. That’s enough to flood all of Pennsylvania ankle-deep. It’s enough for every American to take one bath each week for an entire year.

After bursting out of a pipe or manhole cover, this foul slurry pollutes the nearest body of water. Downstream, some of it may be pumped out, treated, and piped into more homes and businesses. From there, it goes back into a sewer system, and the cycle resumes.

A threat to human health

Untreated human sewage teems with salmonella, hepatitis, dysentery, cryptosporidium, and many other infectious diseases.

One hundred years ago, epidemics of these diseases helped limit the life expectancy of a U.S. citizen to about 50 years. Estimates vary for how many people sewage still sickens or kills each year, but they are all large.

Germs linger even after the stench of sewage has dispersed. Healthy adults may never realize that yesterday’s swim caused today’s cough, diarrhea, or ear infection. Young children, their grandparents, and people already weakened by illness are more likely to become seriously ill or die. Scientists believe as many as 3.5 million Americans get sick each year after swimming, boating, fishing, or otherwise touching water they thought was safe.

A 1998 study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology blamed water pollution for one-third of all reported gastroenteritis cases and two-thirds of all ear infections. It’s not just the people who play in and around the water who are at risk. Between 1985 and 2000, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) documented 251 separate disease outbreaks and nearly half a million cases of waterborne illness from polluted drinking water in the United States. Another study by the CDC and the National Academy of Sciences concluded that most illnesses caused by eating tainted seafood have human sewage as the root cause.

Outdated treatment plants

To understand why this is happening, it’s helpful to know some history. For centuries most American sewage poured into the nearest river or creek with little or no treatment, and few people gave it a second thought.

That changed when Congress passed the Clean Water Act in 1972 and the federal government began making significant investments to modernize sewage treatment infrastructure serving communities across the country.

Today, many of the plants built with that initial investment are undersized or are near the end of their effective lives.

There are 600,000 miles of sewer pipes across the country and the average age is 33 years. Some pipes in cities along the eastern seaboard are nearly 200 years old. Some are even made of wood. The American Society of Civil Engineers has given America’s wastewater infrastructure a “D” grade overall.

Runaway development

Today, poorly planned development compounds the problem of aging infrastructure. As urban areas sprawl into the countryside, new expanses of concrete and asphalt increase the amount of stormwater surging into sewers — and the amount of pollution spewing out.

[su_pullquote]A single acre of wetlands can hold up to 1.5 million gallons of rain or melting snow. Otherwise it winds up in the sewer system.[/su_pullquote] Trees help keep water out of sewer systems, too. In fact, the group American Forests estimates that as Washington, D.C.’s tree canopy thinned by 43 percent between 1973 and 1997, the amount of stormwater running into the city’s aging sewer system increased by 34 percent.

Older sewage systems combine stormwater with household sewage, but even in systems where they are separated some stormwater ends up in the sewer, where it contributes to raw sewage overflows.

All people deserve clean water free of the many dangerous pollutants found in sewage. The only way to ensure this is to stop sewage overflows and leaks and ensure that no sewage is released into our streams, rivers, and lakes untreated. It will cost hundreds of billions of dollars and take decades to update the nation’s wastewater infrastructure to this level.

But it isn’t enough to simply invest more. Protecting and expanding natural areas helps prevent stormwater from rushing into the sewer in the first place — stopping sewer overflows before they start.

That’s investing smarter.

In fact, planting trees, restoring wetlands, and creating green roofs are often the most cost-effective ways to expand the capacity of sewer systems.

A single mature tree with a thirty-foot crown can keep 4,600 gallons of water out of the sewer each year. For less than $300,000, it’s possible to construct an artificial wetland that can intercept 3.25 million gallons of stormwater otherwise destined for the sewer.

In June 2003, Ford Motor Company planted ten acres of vegetation on the roof of its Dearborn, MI truck factory, keeping as many as four million gallons of rain out of the sewer system each year. Projects like these prevent sewage overflows as surely as bigger pipes — and cost less.

Until we make significant progress towards reducing sewage in our water , there must be strong notification programs that will alert people when there is a danger of contacting raw sewage. Wastewater facilities should be required to notify the media, citizens, and environmental agencies when they release untreated sewage into the environment. American Rivers works for federal and state right-to-know policies that require citizens to be informed of sewage contamination in their waterways. Not only will such programs keep people healthy by avoiding raw sewage, but it will also galvanize further support for solutions to reduce sewage pollution.

Clean water. It’s essential. It’s irreplaceable. If Americans today want our children and grandchildren to splash along the shore at sunset or drink from the faucet without worry, then it’s time for us to act. It’s time to make the commitment to keep raw sewage out of our water.

Argumentative Essay About Sewage Spill

The repercussions of sewage spills are far-reaching, affecting both the environment and human well-being. This essay delves into the detrimental effects of sewage spills and presents a compelling argument for enhanced preventive measures to mitigate their devastating impacts.

Table of Contents

Essay: Sewage Spills – Unveiling Environmental Threats and Advocating Prevention

Unveiling the Negative Impacts of Sewage Spills: Sewage spills, often caused by inadequate infrastructure, natural disasters, or human neglect, give rise to multifaceted challenges. They pose a grave threat to human health, aquatic ecosystems, and the environment as a whole. These spills harbor a cocktail of harmful pathogens that can inflict severe illnesses upon human populations, particularly those who are more susceptible due to age or weakened immune systems.

Environmental Degradation

The Ripple Effect: The effects of sewage spills extend beyond human health, permeating aquatic ecosystems. The influx of nutrients from sewage can lead to the proliferation of algal blooms, which deplete oxygen levels in water bodies, endangering aquatic life. The far-reaching consequences of these spills encompass contaminating drinking water sources, jeopardizing the well-being of entire communities.

Economic Implications of Neglect

Beyond environmental harm, sewage spills also carry significant economic repercussions. The costs of spill clean-up, ecosystem remediation, and lost revenue for businesses can be staggering. Moreover, the adverse impact on public health amplifies healthcare costs and impairs workforce productivity. Sewage spills, thus, strike at the very heart of economic vitality.

Advocating for Prevention

1. Upgrading Infrastructure

Investing in the enhancement of sewage infrastructure is paramount in curbing spills. Overhauling aging sewer systems and augmenting wastewater treatment plant capacities can thwart overflows during rainfall and alleviate the risks associated with spills.

2. Promoting Public Awareness

A strategic educational campaign targeting the proper disposal of waste and the risks of flushing non-biodegradable items down the toilet can significantly curtail the entry of pollutants into the sewer system.

3. Enforcement of Regulations

The enforcement of stringent regulations on waste disposal by businesses and industries is an essential deterrent against potential spills. This regulatory vigilance ensures accountability and prevents future transgressions.

Preserving Environmental and Human Health

The urgency of addressing sewage spills transcends the environmental domain, reaching the core of societal well-being. The collective responsibility to prevent spills necessitates a multi-pronged approach that spans infrastructure development, public engagement, and stringent regulatory frameworks. As stewards of our environment, it is our moral imperative to champion these measures and usher in a future where sewage spills are a rarity, not a norm.

Sewage spills cast a long shadow, encompassing health hazards, ecological disruption, and economic setbacks. The imperative to prevent such spills is undeniable, as their consequences reverberate across various dimensions of society. By bolstering infrastructure, raising public awareness, and enforcing regulations, we can alleviate the burdens imposed by sewage spills. In this concerted effort, we carve a path toward a cleaner environment, enhanced public health, and a sustainable future for generations to come.

Hello! Welcome to my Blog StudyParagraphs.co. My name is Angelina. I am a college professor. I love reading writing for kids students. This blog is full with valuable knowledge for all class students. Thank you for reading my articles.

Related Posts:

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Accept cookies?

We use cook ies  to give you the best online experience and to show personalised content and marketing. We use them to improve our website and content as well as to tailor our digital advertising on third-party platforms. You can change your preferences at any time.  

Popular search terms:

• British wildlife
• Wildlife Photographer of the Year
• Explore the Museum
• Anthropocene

British Wildlife

Collections

Human evolution

What on Earth?

The UK Government has announced a duty for water companies to reduce sewage discharge following a backlash. Image © Shutterstock / JonShore

During Beta testing articles may only be saved for seven days.

Create a list of articles to read later. You will be able to access your list from any article in Discover.

You don't have any saved articles.

The deadly effects of sewage pollution on nature

Sewage in Britain's waterways has been hitting the headlines recently. But what effect does raw waste have on our rivers, streams and oceans? 

Recent weeks have witnessed a public outcry after the House of Commons declined to force water companies to take all reasonable steps to ensure untreated sewage is not discharged into the UK's rivers.

The Government had argued that the amendment would have cost taxpayers hundreds of billions of pounds, although it later agreed to introduce changes to the law following a high-profile campaign.

Sewage is a danger to human health, but it also has a huge impact on the animals and plants living in waterways.

For instance, algal blooms are encouraged by the presence of sewage and can lead to the deaths of many other species.

Dr Anne Jungblut , Principal Researcher in algae, fungi and plants at the Museum, says algal blooms are 'a big problem.'

'Blooms can lead to a change in biodiversity,' she says, 'and can impact the functioning and richness of an ecosystem. Algae has a huge impact on an ecosystem and big blooms can change the whole river.'

Sewage may be released into waterways if there are no chemicals available to treat it. Image © Shutterstock / Silent Corners

The politics

To prevent sewers becoming overwhelmed, water companies are allowed to release sewage into rivers in emergencies. This generally occurs in times of heavy rain to prevent the sewers backing up into buildings.

In 2020, sewage was released into the UK's waterways on over 400,000 occasions , with wastewater overflow from utility firms lasting for over 3.1 million hours.

On average, each storm overflow the companies operate is in use for 11 days a year, rising to almost 20 for Thames Water.

These figures only encompass the events water companies have self-reported, with firms having broken the law in recent years. For instance, Southern Water was fined £90 million after admitting thousands of illegal discharges between 2010 and 2015.

While some releases may be partially treated, those from storm overflows are raw and diluted only by rainwater. As a result, these overflows can contain anything that goes down the drain, from human waste to household chemicals and plastics.

Following the impact on the UK's supply chains from Brexit and the Coronavirus pandemic, the Government has also enabled companies to discharge sewage at any time if there are a lack of chemicals to treat it.

While the highest risk wastewater may not be released, medium and low risk substances may be discharged provided the use of chemicals is resumed 'as soon as is practicable.'

In recent weeks, concerns over these practices have spilled into the mainstream. Beyond simply being unpleasant, the wastewater can cause serious damage to fragile river ecosystems.

Algal blooms form as a result of an abundance of nutrients. Image © Shutterstock / Kit Leong

Algal blooms

Releasing sewage into rivers introduces a large amount of nutrients into the water. This process, known as eutrophication, can have serious consequences.

Anne explains, 'When sewage is released into rivers, it contains a lot of nitrogen and phosphorous. These can stimulate the growth of algae, such as phytoplankton in the water or mats known as biofilms in the sediments, which can lead to algal blooms.

'A large amount of algae has an impact on the rest of the ecosystem, such as blocking out the light that plants need for photosynthesis. When these plants, and the algae itself, start to die, they are eaten by a lot of bacteria which reduces oxygen in the water, killing fish and other organisms.'

One of the groups which is most badly affected by a lack of oxygen are freshwater insects , many of which spend large periods of their development in rivers.

Steve Brooks , who researches insects at the Museum, says, 'Insects are like a canary in a coal mine, providing an early warning system that something isn't right.

'Most aquatic invertebrates in a river depend on high oxygen levels because most don't have the option to swim to the surface as they'll be swept away. When this oxygen disappears because of sewage, then the species disappear too.

'The most affected insects are stoneflies and mayflies as they don't survive well without high oxygen. In turn, this can have a knock-on impact on fish . While fish can swim away from an area of sewage contamination, they can't escape if their prey has disappeared.'

Blue green algae produces a range of toxins that can prove fatal to wildlife. Image © Shutterstock / Stefan-Kadar

While algal blooms may harm some species, they provide a boon for others to grow at their expense.

For instance, insects like midges have haemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying compound found in red blood cells. This allows them to tolerate low oxygen conditions, leading to an explosion in their populations. The same is also true of some algal groups, which are more prone to bloom than others.

'Eutrophication will lead to a shift of the composition of the algae,' Anne says. 'Some diatom species do really well and form blooms as they are particularly good at taking up lots of nutrients and growing really fast. This can then lead to a reduction of the river's overall biodiversity.'

The conditions of the river affect which groups prosper. Slower moving rivers, or those which have become blocked, can promote the growth of toxic algae which prefer these conditions.

'Stagnant water can lead to the formation of blue green cyanobacteria blooms,' Anne says. 'As well as contributing to eutrophication, they also produce toxins that are toxic not only to fish, but also to any humans or dogs that drink the water. 

'While I haven't seen any records that have specifically been linked to a sewage release in the UK, releasing large amounts of nutrients into stagnant waterways raises the probability of these kinds of blooms occurring.'

These toxic organisms come in addition to compounds already in treated wastewater, which can include heavy metals , microplastics and chemicals such as pesticides.

Some of these chemicals have been found to cause physiological changes in fish. Treated wastewater can cause male brown roaches to develop ovarian cavities , as well as induce changes in the kidneys and immune system.

Fish may also be drawn towards wastewater, especially in winter, as wastewater outflows can increase the temperature of the water by up to 9⁰C. However, contaminants are also at their highest at this time, with researchers describing these outflows as an 'ecological trap'.

Mayflies were wiped out in the River Way in 2014. Image © Ian Capper, licensed under  CC BY-SA 2.0 via  Geograph .

Restoring rivers

Once sewage has been released into a river, there is little that can be done to prevent its impact. However, the ecosystems can recover if they are not overwhelmed.

'The possibility of recovery depends on the nature of the spillage,' says Steve. 'An acute spill comes and goes, so while it might remove a lot of insects from the river, the recovery can be quicker. For instance, many freshwater insects tend to fly up the river as adults to lay their eggs, which are then washed back down. This allows recolonisation of the river to take place. 

'However, chronic pollution causes real problems as there is no possibility for recovery. In 2014, the River Wey in Surrey was polluted and the mayflies were wiped out. 

'There wasn't a natural recovery, as there was no opportunity to come back from the pollution.'

While the responsibility of treating sewage lies with utility companies, everyone can play their part in improving water quality. The River Wey was restored thanks to a project led by Dr Cyril Bennett , who reintroduced mayflies by moving juveniles from other rivers.

He is also involved in the Riverfly Partnership , a group which monitors the water quality of rivers to protect the habitat of a range of flies.  

Steve, who is helps to co-ordinate the partnership, says, 'We train volunteers to monitor biodiversity at a range of sites by taking a standardised sample from a river and giving scores to different groups of insects. 

'If the score falls below a certain trigger level then there is an issue so the Environment Agency gets contacted to look into it. Over the years, volunteers have detected dozens of incidents than can then be pinpointed to a specific site.'

Anyone spotting rivers containing algal blooms should keep themselves away from the water, and report it to the Environment Agency directly or through apps such as Bloomin' Algae . Though the bloom may not be toxic, it is always safest to assume it is.

• Biodiversity
• Find out what else Anne is  working on here.
• Find out what else Steve is  working on here.

Do your bit for nature

Small actions can make a big difference.

Here's how you can help protect biodiversity.

Protecting our planet

We're working towards a future where both people and the planet thrive.

Hear from scientists studying human impact and change in the natural world.

The time is now

Related posts.

Will coronavirus cripple the fight against plastic pollution?

Single-use plastics have seen a resurgence in 2020.

Don't miss a thing

Receive email updates about our news, science, exhibitions, events, products, services and fundraising activities. We may occasionally include third-party content from our corporate partners and other museums. We will not share your personal details with these third parties. You must be over the age of 13. Privacy notice .

Follow us on social media

Pollution Problem: Sewage Spills in San Jose Presentation

Introduction.

• Garbage and human waste is pouring into rivers and creeks are creating a pollution problem in the South Bay.
• All the polluted water from sewers flows through the creeks ends up in the Bay and carries whatever trash, debris and contaminants. Humans are exposed to untreated sewage through drinking contaminated water, water recreational activities, and/or ingesting contaminated fish. (Loosli et al., 2019, p. 769).

This study highlights the issue of controlling and cleaning of the pollutions in sewage.

Water is a crucial element for all known forms of life to be able to live. Groundwater quality and availability are essential for human consumption and social and economic activities. Most of the county’s portable drinking water comes from groundwater wells, reservoirs, streams, rivers, and lakes. Unfortunately, the impact of sewage on the environment is mostly negative. Treating sewage is a big environmental priority in every country because untreated sewage water can spill into rivers, lakes and seas, causing major pollution. Such dangerous chemicals as, for example, detergent chemicals, that are contained in sewage water, are dangerous not only for the natural habitat, but for humans as well since they consume this water. Unfortunately, sanitary sewer overflows are a common problem across the United States. All the water flows through the creeks ends up in the Bay and carries whatever trash, debris and contaminants. San Jose is a troubled spot for trash pollution and bacterial pollution that are spilled into the bay. Humans are exposed to untreated sewage through drinking contaminated water, water recreational activities, and/or ingesting contaminated fish. (Loosli et al., 2019, p. 769).

The Challenge

• Quick urbanization has enhanced the spills of of polluted sewage sludge in San Jose over the last few years.
• San Jose has more than 2,100 miles of sewage pipes.
• Considering that the sewage sludge contains toxic chemicals like nitrogen-containing compounds, organic matters and heavy metals, appropriate filtration and disposal should be utilized to prevent spills and following environmental problems (Lv et al., 2018).
• The new technology is expected to really improve the current inspection methodology by reducing the health risks for workers and making it affordable to public administrations, and also by reducing the pollution in sewage that can affect urban coastal areas.

Wastewater overflows (WWOs) are defined as a major public health issue, especially when there is a high possibility for citizens to come into direct contact with wastewater that has spilled into recreational water environments such as rivers, lakes, seas and oceans that are used for mainly recreational activities such as swimming. Infiltrated water from sewages can contain a number of pathogenic microorganisms including poisonous bacteria and viruses. Moreover, wastewater overflows have a significant effect on ecological situation of the region, creating a toxic environment for animals.

The solutions are expected to

• Improve sewer workers health and safety measures
• Improve the public service given since it optimizes the sewer cleaning resources;
• Improve the quality of life of citizens since it will improve the sewer performance.

Sewer Monitoring

The goal of sewer monitoring is to develop the robot to the highest possible level of sensitivity which will let the sewer manager to manage the sewer efficiently without the need to move closer to dangerous and poisonous locations (Grau et al., 2017).

Among other reasons, robotized sewer monitoring is extremely useful:

• To keep the monitoring staff from going to sewers when there is a risky situation.
• To decide safety and health measures for staff.
• To track down any spills or leaks, which are usually unexpected and illegal,
• To make sure that sewer infrastructures are safe from abrasion, rust and aggressive spills.
• To define any patterns in sewage compounds (seasonal, daily, etc.).
• To use as an instrument for ecological investigations in sewers (David and Tobin, 2017, p. 172).
• Possibility to collect real-time data.
• Determining whether the system is consistently operating in free-flow conditions is easier.
• The information available from a flow-monitoring program saves collection system operators many times the cost of the flow monitoring.
• This method can be used in environmental research..
• The safety of staff is ensured as it does not require workers to go directly to sewage themselves.
• Lack of having a set of standardization develops problems with future integration.
• It will take some time to implement the robotic solution into the working routine of the staff.
• The development of the equipment demands high financial spending.
• This method provides the means of controlling, but not preventing unexpected spills.

Purifying Sewage Water

This method of purifying water is complex, but effective. Every day, approximately 100 million gallons of raw sewage is treated by the Clark County Water Reclamation District (CCWRD), with roughly 90 million gallons of reclaimed water released daily into the Las Vegas Wash (Nguyen, 2019, p. 24).

The stages of purification process :

• Water from homes and businesses is flushed and streamed to nearby treatment facilities.
• Sludge is removed.
• Trash is trapper by using a mechanical rake.
• The primary treatment using rotating metal arms to skim surface scum into troughs.
• Toxic chemicals are removed through aeration process.
• Water is filtrated through sand.
• Energy consumption is reduced.
• Purified and filtrated water does not contain toxins.
• With clean water the habitat of South Bay is protected.
• Reclaimed water for industrial, commercial, and landscape irrigation requires less treatment than recycled water for drinking.
• Overall environmental impact is reduced.
• The complexity of such method.
• Increased need for additional facilities and pipes to transport water.
• High financial costs for the equipment.
• Some regions still lack water recycling piping, that is why the implementing of the purifying equipment will be time-consuming.

In recent years the problem of water sewage spills in San Jose has become more evident. The environmentalists are still trying to find efficient and low-cost solutions to the issue.

This presentation demonstrated two effective ways to control and prevent polluted water from spilling into South Bay.

Both methods that are described above have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Moreover, both methods have more benefits than costs. Nevertheless, purifying sewage water seems like a more appropriate solution since it provides quick positive results. That is why this solution is more efficient in managing sewage water as it prevents toxic spills from the start.

In conclusion it would appear that in order to maximize innovation, it’s compulsory to understand the significance of those innovations while breaking barriers in effective water management. In this case the risk of polluted spills will be greatly lowered.

Grau, A., Bolea, Y., Puig-Pey, A., & Sanfeliu, A. (2017). Robotic solutions for sewage systems in coastal urban environments. Proceedings of OCEANS 2017-Aberdeen, pp. 1-5.

David, R. B., & Tobin, G. A. (2017). Understanding water policy sustainability: A case study in San Francisco and San Jose California. Environmental Science & Policy, 78 , pp. 167-172.

Loosli, F., Wang, J., Rothenberg, S., Bizimis, M., Winkler, C., Borovinskaya, O., & Baalousha, M. (2019). Sewage spills are a major source of titanium dioxide engineered (nano)-particle release into the environment. Environmental Science: Nano, 6(3), pp . 763-777.

Lv, D., Zhu, T., Liu, R., Li, X., Zhao, Y., Sun, Y., & Zhao, Q. (2018). Effects of co-processing sewage sludge in the cement kiln on PAHs, heavy metals emissions and the surrounding environment. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public H ealth , 15(4), p. 698.

Nguyen, S. (2019). The South Bay water recycling program: an evaluation of water recycling outcomes in comparison to selected cities and countries. San Jose State University, Master’s Project.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2022, July 15). Pollution Problem: Sewage Spills in San Jose. https://ivypanda.com/essays/pollution-problem-sewage-spills-in-san-jose/

"Pollution Problem: Sewage Spills in San Jose." IvyPanda , 15 July 2022, ivypanda.com/essays/pollution-problem-sewage-spills-in-san-jose/.

IvyPanda . (2022) 'Pollution Problem: Sewage Spills in San Jose'. 15 July.

IvyPanda . 2022. "Pollution Problem: Sewage Spills in San Jose." July 15, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/pollution-problem-sewage-spills-in-san-jose/.

1. IvyPanda . "Pollution Problem: Sewage Spills in San Jose." July 15, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/pollution-problem-sewage-spills-in-san-jose/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Pollution Problem: Sewage Spills in San Jose." July 15, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/pollution-problem-sewage-spills-in-san-jose/.

• Buffer Overflows and Data Execution Prevention
• The red sludge ecological disaster
• Recycling of Wastewater for Agricultural Use in Arid Areas
• Planning Issues for Children of Heaven
• The Movie "It" by Andy Muschietti
• Tools for Performance Testing: Project Scope
• Sewage and Urban Run-Offs
• Wastewater Management Program for Abu Dhabi
• Water-Based Recreational Opportunities
• Ethical Issues in the Workplace: Gilbane Gold
• Biodegradable Study of PLA Packaging Application
• Non-Govermental Organizations in Environmental Changes
• Green Management and Environmental Auditing
• Agroforestry NGO Project
• Waste Collection in New York City

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• How to write an argumentative essay | Examples & tips

How to Write an Argumentative Essay | Examples & Tips

Published on July 24, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An argumentative essay expresses an extended argument for a particular thesis statement . The author takes a clearly defined stance on their subject and builds up an evidence-based case for it.

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

Table of contents

When do you write an argumentative essay, approaches to argumentative essays, introducing your argument, the body: developing your argument, concluding your argument, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about argumentative essays.

You might be assigned an argumentative essay as a writing exercise in high school or in a composition class. The prompt will often ask you to argue for one of two positions, and may include terms like “argue” or “argument.” It will frequently take the form of a question.

The prompt may also be more open-ended in terms of the possible arguments you could make.

Argumentative writing at college level

At university, the vast majority of essays or papers you write will involve some form of argumentation. For example, both rhetorical analysis and literary analysis essays involve making arguments about texts.

In this context, you won’t necessarily be told to write an argumentative essay—but making an evidence-based argument is an essential goal of most academic writing, and this should be your default approach unless you’re told otherwise.

Examples of argumentative essay prompts

At a university level, all the prompts below imply an argumentative essay as the appropriate response.

Your research should lead you to develop a specific position on the topic. The essay then argues for that position and aims to convince the reader by presenting your evidence, evaluation and analysis.

• Don’t just list all the effects you can think of.
• Do develop a focused argument about the overall effect and why it matters, backed up by evidence from sources.
• Don’t just provide a selection of data on the measures’ effectiveness.
• Do build up your own argument about which kinds of measures have been most or least effective, and why.
• Don’t just analyze a random selection of doppelgänger characters.
• Do form an argument about specific texts, comparing and contrasting how they express their thematic concerns through doppelgänger characters.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

An argumentative essay should be objective in its approach; your arguments should rely on logic and evidence, not on exaggeration or appeals to emotion.

There are many possible approaches to argumentative essays, but there are two common models that can help you start outlining your arguments: The Toulmin model and the Rogerian model.

Toulmin arguments

The Toulmin model consists of four steps, which may be repeated as many times as necessary for the argument:

• Make a claim
• Provide the grounds (evidence) for the claim
• Explain the warrant (how the grounds support the claim)
• Discuss possible rebuttals to the claim, identifying the limits of the argument and showing that you have considered alternative perspectives

The Toulmin model is a common approach in academic essays. You don’t have to use these specific terms (grounds, warrants, rebuttals), but establishing a clear connection between your claims and the evidence supporting them is crucial in an argumentative essay.

Say you’re making an argument about the effectiveness of workplace anti-discrimination measures. You might:

• Claim that unconscious bias training does not have the desired results, and resources would be better spent on other approaches
• Cite data to support your claim
• Explain how the data indicates that the method is ineffective
• Anticipate objections to your claim based on other data, indicating whether these objections are valid, and if not, why not.

Rogerian arguments

The Rogerian model also consists of four steps you might repeat throughout your essay:

• Discuss what the opposing position gets right and why people might hold this position
• Highlight the problems with this position
• Present your own position , showing how it addresses these problems
• Suggest a possible compromise —what elements of your position would proponents of the opposing position benefit from adopting?

This model builds up a clear picture of both sides of an argument and seeks a compromise. It is particularly useful when people tend to disagree strongly on the issue discussed, allowing you to approach opposing arguments in good faith.

Say you want to argue that the internet has had a positive impact on education. You might:

• Acknowledge that students rely too much on websites like Wikipedia
• Argue that teachers view Wikipedia as more unreliable than it really is
• Suggest that Wikipedia’s system of citations can actually teach students about referencing
• Suggest critical engagement with Wikipedia as a possible assignment for teachers who are skeptical of its usefulness.

You don’t necessarily have to pick one of these models—you may even use elements of both in different parts of your essay—but it’s worth considering them if you struggle to structure your arguments.

Regardless of which approach you take, your essay should always be structured using an introduction , a body , and a conclusion .

Like other academic essays, an argumentative essay begins with an introduction . The introduction serves to capture the reader’s interest, provide background information, present your thesis statement , and (in longer essays) to summarize the structure of the body.

Hover over different parts of the example below to see how a typical introduction works.

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.

The body of an argumentative essay is where you develop your arguments in detail. Here you’ll present evidence, analysis, and reasoning to convince the reader that your thesis statement is true.

In the standard five-paragraph format for short essays, the body takes up three of your five paragraphs. In longer essays, it will be more paragraphs, and might be divided into sections with headings.

Each paragraph covers its own topic, introduced with a topic sentence . Each of these topics must contribute to your overall argument; don’t include irrelevant information.

This example paragraph takes a Rogerian approach: It first acknowledges the merits of the opposing position and then highlights problems with that position.

Hover over different parts of the example to see how a body paragraph is constructed.

A common frustration for teachers is students’ use of Wikipedia as a source in their writing. Its prevalence among students is not exaggerated; a survey found that the vast majority of the students surveyed used Wikipedia (Head & Eisenberg, 2010). An article in The Guardian stresses a common objection to its use: “a reliance on Wikipedia can discourage students from engaging with genuine academic writing” (Coomer, 2013). Teachers are clearly not mistaken in viewing Wikipedia usage as ubiquitous among their students; but the claim that it discourages engagement with academic sources requires further investigation. This point is treated as self-evident by many teachers, but Wikipedia itself explicitly encourages students to look into other sources. Its articles often provide references to academic publications and include warning notes where citations are missing; the site’s own guidelines for research make clear that it should be used as a starting point, emphasizing that users should always “read the references and check whether they really do support what the article says” (“Wikipedia:Researching with Wikipedia,” 2020). Indeed, for many students, Wikipedia is their first encounter with the concepts of citation and referencing. The use of Wikipedia therefore has a positive side that merits deeper consideration than it often receives.

Receive feedback on language, structure, and formatting

Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:

• Academic style
• Vague sentences
• Style consistency

See an example

An argumentative essay ends with a conclusion that summarizes and reflects on the arguments made in the body.

No new arguments or evidence appear here, but in longer essays you may discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your argument and suggest topics for future research. In all conclusions, you should stress the relevance and importance of your argument.

Hover over the following example to see the typical elements of a conclusion.

The internet has had a major positive impact on the world of education; occasional pitfalls aside, its value is evident in numerous applications. The future of teaching lies in the possibilities the internet opens up for communication, research, and interactivity. As the popularity of distance learning shows, students value the flexibility and accessibility offered by digital education, and educators should fully embrace these advantages. The internet’s dangers, real and imaginary, have been documented exhaustively by skeptics, but the internet is here to stay; it is time to focus seriously on its potential for good.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

• Ad hominem fallacy
• Post hoc fallacy
• Appeal to authority fallacy
• False cause fallacy
• Sunk cost fallacy

College essays

• Choosing Essay Topic
• Write a College Essay
• Write a Diversity Essay
• College Essay Format & Structure
• Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay

 (AI) Tools

• Grammar Checker
• Paraphrasing Tool
• Text Summarizer
• AI Detector
• Plagiarism Checker
• Citation Generator

An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.

An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.

At college level, you must properly cite your sources in all essays , research papers , and other academic texts (except exams and in-class exercises).

Add a citation whenever you quote , paraphrase , or summarize information or ideas from a source. You should also give full source details in a bibliography or reference list at the end of your text.

The exact format of your citations depends on which citation style you are instructed to use. The most common styles are APA , MLA , and Chicago .

The majority of the essays written at university are some sort of argumentative essay . Unless otherwise specified, you can assume that the goal of any essay you’re asked to write is argumentative: To convince the reader of your position using evidence and reasoning.

In composition classes you might be given assignments that specifically test your ability to write an argumentative essay. Look out for prompts including instructions like “argue,” “assess,” or “discuss” to see if this is the goal.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Caulfield, J. (2023, July 23). How to Write an Argumentative Essay | Examples & Tips. Scribbr. Retrieved April 9, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/argumentative-essay/

Is this article helpful?

Jack Caulfield

Other students also liked, how to write a thesis statement | 4 steps & examples, how to write topic sentences | 4 steps, examples & purpose, how to write an expository essay, "i thought ai proofreading was useless but..".

I've been using Scribbr for years now and I know it's a service that won't disappoint. It does a good job spotting mistakes”

• Skip to navigation
• Skip to main content

• Health conditions A to Z
• Mental illness
• Blood and blood vessels
• Blood-borne viruses
• Heart health (cardiovascular)
• Sexually transmissible infections (STIs)
• Common cold
• COVID-19 (coronavirus)
• Diarrhoea and vomiting
• Eczema (atopic dermatitis)
• Influenza (flu)
• Food poisoning
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Slapped cheek syndrome (Parvovirus)
• Stomach pain
• Tonsillitis
• Whooping cough (pertussis)
• Healthy living A to Z
• Aboriginal people
• Mental health
• End-of-life and future health
• Having a baby
• Immunisation
• Prevent mosquito bites
• School health
• Seasonal health
• Sexual health
• Travel health
• Alcohol and your health
• Being dependent on drugs
• Exercise physiology
• Fluoride and protecting your teeth from tooth decay
• Food labelling
• Living with a chronic condition
• Planning to travel
• Relationships, sex and other stuff
• Safety and first aid A to Z
• Air quality
• Natural disasters and alerts
• Chemicals and contaminants
• Environmental health hazards
• First aid and medical
• Food safety
• Home and household
• Mosquitoes and pests
• Water and wastewater
• Alcohol-based hand sanitiser – safe use and storage
• DRSABCD action plan
• Hand hygiene
• How to be SunSmart
• Mental health emergency
• Prevent poisoning in the home
• Making a food complaint
• Testing or cleaning a house for drug contamination
• Understanding food labels for allergies
• Wounds first aid
• Treatments and tests A-Z
• COVID-19 testing
• Cancer treatment
• Cervical screening
• Colonoscopy
• Insulin and diabetes
• Organ and tissue donation
• Screening mammography with BreastScreen WA
• How to use a turbuhaler
• How to use an autohaler
• Insect repellent
• Medications and breastfeeding
• MRI scan – magnetic resonance imaging
• Rehabilitation
• What is a catheter?
• Emergency and crisis
• Health care options
• Goals of Patient Care
• Going to hospital
• Consultations
• Multicultural health
• Telehealth – delivering virtual care closer to home
• Assistance with travel costs to receive medical care
• Ambulance fees for seniors and pensioners
• Access your WA Health medical records
• Aishwarya’s CARE Call
• Becoming an organ and tissue donor
• Care Opinion
• Digital medical record (DMR)
• Having a baby in a public country hospital in WA
• Having a baby in a public hospital
• Manage My Care
• My Health Record
• Needle and syringe programs in WA
• Overview of the WA health system
• ScriptCheckWA: Western Australia’s real-time prescription monitoring system
• Public hospital patient feedback
• Service finder
• Safety and first aid

Sewage spills

What is sewage.

Sewage is faecal matter (poo or sometimes known as nightsoil) or urine (wee).

According to the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1911 (external site) , it can also be any waste composed wholly or partly of liquid.

What is a sewage spill?

A sewage spill is the overflow, leaking or spillage of sewage from a sewer line or wastewater treatment plant, or a wastewater receptacle (container).

Sewage spills can be into/onto a:

• recreational waterway

A sewage spill can be caused when wastewater treatment plants or pump-stations experience a mechanical fault such as loss of electrical power.

Broken or blocked sewer mains can also cause sewage spills.

Sewage may enter the waterway directly from the point of rupture or overflow, or through stormwater drains.

This can make the water unsafe for swimming and other forms of recreation such as water-skiing, jet-skiing and diving. Secondary contact activities such as boating, fishing and wading may also be affected.

Yes. If you have contact with or swallow water that is polluted with sewage it can make you very sick. Some illnesses may include:

• gastroenteritis (diarrhoea, vomiting)
• viral infections such as hepatitis
• infections of the skin or eyes.

There are many different organisations involved when a sewage spill occurs.

The roles and responsibilities of various government agencies is outlined in the Wastewater Overflow Notification and Response Procedures (PDF 911KB) .

One of the primary responsibilities is making sure the public is aware when a sewage spill occurs.

When a sewage spill occurs the community will be informed as a top priority.

Warning signs and media releases will be issued to let you know the spill has happened.

If you ever see a health warning sign along the river or beach make sure you follow the advice and do not go swimming.

After a sewage spill, it usually takes from 48 to 72 hours for a water body to return to a safe condition. Sometimes it can take a week or more.

A number of factors will determine when a contaminated water body will return back to a safe condition. These include:

• salinity (the more salt the better)
• sunlight (the more sun the better)
• tidal movement
• weather conditions
• the volume of the spill.

The Department of Health will not give the water body the all clear until it has been determined to be safe for recreational purposes.

Evidence suggests that eating fish or crabs taken from water contaminated with sewage will not result in any known health effects as long as standard hygiene measures are followed.

This includes:

• washing your hands with warm water and soap after handling fish or crabs
• thoroughly washing fish with clean water before cooking
• cooking using correct times and temperatures.

You should not eat any filter feeding shellfish such as oysters or mussels taken from water contaminated by sewage because:

• They feed by drawing water through a membrane and trapping food for digestion. Therefore, they draw contaminated water through the flesh that you'll end up eating – this is particularly dangerous if consumed raw because of the disease causing bacteria associated with sewage.
• Organisms like viruses (especially Hepatitis A and Norovirus) are trapped in the flesh of the shellfish and are not killed by the normal cooking process of shellfish.

The Department of Health does not support the collection of wild shellfish from recreational waters surrounded by urban, industrial and commercial areas because the safety of eating wild shellfish cannot be guaranteed.

Further health information about the collection of shellfish from the wild can be found in the Wild shellfish collection (PDF 68KB) pamphlet.

If you notice sewage draining into a natural water body, you should immediately contact:

• (Faults, emergencies and security)
• T: 13 13 75 (24 hours)
• (Emergency Pollution Response)
• T: 1300 784 782 (24 hours)

You may also advise:

• Environmental Health Directorate
• (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.00pm)
• T: (08) 9222 2000
• Health Duty Officer
• T: (08) 9328 0553 (24 hours)
• Swan River Trust 9278 0900 (If sewage spill is in the Swan or Canning Rivers)
• Your local council (external site)

Where to get help

If you have been swimming in water that is known to be contaminated with sewage and you are experiencing symptoms of an upset stomach and diarrhoea, you are advised to:

• See your doctor
• Visit healthdirect (external site) or call 1800 022 222
• Contact Environmental Health Services at your local government (external site)
• Do not swim in water that has been contaminated by a sewage spill.
• After a sewage spill, it usually takes from 48 to 72 hours for a water body to return to a safe condition.
• Do not eat any filter feeding shellfish such as oysters or mussels taken from water contaminated by sewage.

Environmental Health – Water Unit

This publication is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your healthcare professional. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional for a diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.

• Tips for healthy swimming
• How safe are natural waterways?

• Accessibility
• Patients' rights

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Iowa Fertilizer Spill Kills Nearly All Fish Across 60-Mile Stretch of Rivers

Officials in Iowa and Missouri estimated that nearly 800,000 fish had died in waters that flow into the Missouri River.

By Mitch Smith and Catrin Einhorn

A fertilizer spill in Iowa this month wiped out much of the aquatic life across a 60-mile stretch of rivers in two states, officials said, leaving an estimated 789,000 fish dead in one of the region’s most ecologically devastating chemical spills in recent years.

A Missouri official who surveyed the damage said that the banks of the Nishnabotna River had been lined with fish carcasses, and that dead fish were visible through the water.

“I refer to this one as ‘the big one,’” said the official, Matt Combes, an ecological health unit science supervisor for the Missouri Department of Conservation. He added: “Calling something a near-total fish kill for 60 miles of a river is astounding and disheartening.”

While fish kills on that scale are unusual, smaller kills are common. Comparing the scope of fish kills across different states is difficult because of limited data and tracking, experts said.

The latest die-off started, Iowa officials said, when a valve was left open over a weekend on a storage tank at NEW Cooperative, an agricultural business in Red Oak, in southwestern Iowa. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources, which learned of the spill on March 11, said this week that 265,000 gallons of liquid nitrogen fertilizer spilled into a drainage ditch and into the East Nishnabotna River, which flows into the Nishnabotna River and then the Missouri River.

Iowa officials estimated that more than 749,000 fish died in that state. Most of them were small species, such as minnows and shiners, but thousands of larger fish, including catfish and carp, also perished. Mr. Combes, the Missouri official, estimated that around 40,000 fish died in his state. He said he saw large catfish dead, as well as shovelnose sturgeon.

The fish kill was one of the five largest on record in Iowa, according to state data , and the worst since runoff from a dairy farm in 2013 killed more than 800,000 fish. The federal Environmental Protection Agency does not keep similar data on the national level, a spokesman said.

“ People would be surprised how many small to moderate-size kills there are in the United States,” said Andrew Loftus, a fisheries biologist and co-author of a book that is widely used to assess the monetary damages related to small and medium fish kills. “We just don’t have a number of them. But they are happening quite frequently.”

Fish kills are often caused by contaminants including fertilizer or industrial chemicals. They can also stem from releases of sewage from water treatment plants or heated water from power plants.

On a national scale, the fish kill in Iowa and Missouri was considered a medium to large event, according to fisheries experts.

“Certainly the length of river affected is pretty large and the numbers large,” said Gary Whelan, a vice president at the American Fisheries Society, a nonprofit focused on aquatic conservation and fisheries management. “But the biomass affected is likely pretty low as the kill was mostly minnow and chub species.”

A spokesman for NEW Cooperative declined to comment on Friday. A spokeswoman for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources declined to make officials available for interviews, citing “anticipated litigation.”

The ecosystem could take decades to fully recover, Mr. Loftus said.

At the spill site, contaminated soil and tainted water was still being removed, Iowa officials said. Mr. Combes said some pollutants had flowed into the much larger Missouri River, but there had been no immediate fish kill there.

Water contamination from agricultural nitrates has been a longstanding issue in Iowa . But the policy changes that environmental advocates desire have been a tough political sell in a state where Republicans run the legislature and farming powers the economy.

“I’m not really holding my breath,” said Alicia Vasto, the water program director for the Iowa Environmental Council, a nonprofit group that wants more stringent regulations. “But I really hope that this kind of wakes some people up to the sad situation of our waterways here.”

Mitch Smith is a Chicago-based national correspondent for The Times, covering the Midwest and Great Plains. More about Mitch Smith

Catrin Einhorn covers biodiversity, climate and the environment for The Times. More about Catrin Einhorn

America’s Vulnerable Water Systems

Paying the Price: Siemens and other corporations vowed to fix water woes in Mississippi and save cities across the state millions. The deals racked up debt instead , leaving many worse off than before.

A Tax on Groundwater: While American farmers elsewhere can freely pump the water beneath their land, growers in California’s Pajaro Valley pay hefty fees. Experts say the approach is a case study in how to save a vital resource .

A Diet Feeding a Crisis: America’s dietary shift toward far more chicken and cheese in recent decades has taken a major toll on underground water supplies .

First Come, First Served?: As the world warms, California is re-examining claims to its water that are  based on a cherished frontier principle and have gone unchallenged for generations.

Jets Powered by Corn: America’s airlines want to replace jet fuel with ethanol to fight global warming. That would require lots of corn, and lots of water .

Blocking Change :  Groundwater is dwindling in much of the United States, but only a powerful few have a say over its use. Meet the people fighting conservation efforts .