AquaAction Logo
English
Dead fish washed ashore due to water contamination, highlighting environmental issues.

Your Water In Crisis



LIFE-THREATENING CONTAMINANTS



From toxic algae blooms to microplastics to pharmaceuticals, freshwater ecosystems are under increasing threat of pollution. How does this impact you?

    IS YOUR WATER SAFE TO DRINK?


    You may be surprised to learn that the answer to this question isn’t an easy yes or no. Most North Americans rely on treated water, but unprotected lakes, rivers, and streams risk pollution that harms ecosystems and drinking water. Freshwater is vital and limited, often facing serious contamination threats:

Microplastics Contaminants in Water

 

contaminants iconTHE FACTS

Are you drinking microplastics? Tap water samples from major metropolitan areas on five continents showed that more than 83% were contaminated with plastic fibres.

 

Source
Polluted water discharging from pipes into a natural stream, highlighting runoff issues.

 

contaminants iconTHE FACTS

Pollution is a human problem. Some 80% of the world’s wastewater is dumped—largely untreated—back into the environment, polluting rivers, lakes, and oceans.

 

Source
Overhead shot of a vibrant wetland with lethal algae bloom, showcasing an ecosystem out of balance.

 

contaminants iconTHE FACTS

In 2018, there were more than 300 reported incidents of toxic or harmful algae blooms around the world.

 

Source
Irrigation system watering crops, highlighting water releasing contaminant in nature.

 

contaminants iconTHE FACTS

Most problems related to water quality are caused by intensive agriculture, industrial production, mining and untreated urban runoff and wastewater.

 

Source
Researchers examining water samples outdoors, emphasizing hands-on conservation efforts.

GIVING PEOPLE THE POWER

Freshwater pollution is pervasive, but it isn’t always easy to spot. As a concerned individual, it can be tricky to know what to look for. AquaHacking Challenge winner Water Rangers saw that people care about their waterways and developed an affordable system that allows anyone to monitor freshwater health, record what they observe, and share that data openly.

Turning visitors into leads.

Citizens are concerned about the health of lakes, rivers, and streams, and they want to do something to help. Our user-friendly solution enables them to monitor these resources, notice changes over time, and flag concerns to authorities. Our long-term goal is to make water testing accessible to everyone – and, in the process, we want to contribute to building healthy communities.

KAT KAVANAGH

Executive Director | Water Rangers

Kat Kavanagh

WE CAN STILL SAVE FRESHWATER

Join the ripple effect and do your part to protect freshwater from dangerous pollution. There’s still time!