One of our main resources on earth is water and everything on this earth needs water to survive. Water is found below the earth's surface which means that the water can be easily contaminated. Nowadays, water pollution is considered a serious problem in Macau. Goal number 6 Target 6.3 from the Sustainable Development Goals tackle this issue and by 2030 improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater, and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally (Sustainable Development,2018). Water pollution is any change in the physical, chemical, or biological properties of water that will have a detrimental consequence on any living organism. The demise of the freshwater is not inevitable, however, there are many solutions that can help this demise. A positive change could be made when all Macanese take action by establishing the polluter pays principle, permitting penalties for ballast water, and even flushing with seawater.
This essay will focus on the water pollution problem in Macau. First, it may be a form of dust emissions from the ground blowing into the nearby waters; secondly, heavy metals may come from fly ash landfills; finally, more and more buildings and land dredging will eventually transport toxic chemicals to the sea. It's ridiculous that Macanese are using freshwater for Toilet flushing but not the wastewater which is generated in every sector of Macau. That's really caused a great water-wasting problem.
As we all know, Macau's population density is the highest in the world. Industrial and commercial activities are more developed and consumption levels are high. Nearly 100,000 tons of sewage are produced every day. The first solution to this case of water pollution is establishing the polluter pays principle in Macau, It is designed to deter people from polluting by making it less expensive for them to behave in an environmentally responsible way (Chris Woodford, 2006). It means that anyone who causes water pollution must pay to clean it up in some way. Coastal water pollution in Macau has been deteriorating over the years. The treatment plant has aged and the amount of wastewater that has to be treated every day has already exceeded its handling capacity. Coastal waters have been contaminated several times, but three years later, these problems still threaten the quality of water in the area. So we need to think of a way to tackle the water pollution problem. polluter pays principle may mean that tanker owners should purchase insurance covering the cost of oil spill cleanup. Polluter pays can operate in a variety of ways. For example, this may also mean that consumers must pay for their plastic food bags, which is now common in Ireland to encourage recycling and reduce waste (Chris Woodford, 2006). This may mean that factories using rivers must have water pipes downstream of their sewage outflow pipes, so if they cause pollution, they themselves are the first people to be polluted. This method can not only reduce water pollution, and increase public awareness of environmental protection, but also increase the urban economy. Therefore, Establishing the polluter pays principle in Macau is designed to deter people from polluting by making it less expensive for them to behave in an environmentally responsible way.
On the other hand, In Australia, vessels are not allowed to dispose of ballast water without having the proper permits. Ballast water from other places is often not allowed to be dumped at all in Australian ocean water. When loading ballast water many micro-organisms are introduced into the sediment ballast tank. Many of these creatures are able to survive in these tanks. When the ballast water is discharged and the organism is released into the new environment, the ballast water can affect the environment. If appropriate conditions exist in this release environment, these species will survive and multiply and become invasive species. Therefore, the second method to achieve target 6.3 is permitting and penalties for ballast water, and the application in Macau is to restrict the discharge of sewage from ships in Macau and require all ships in Macau to install oily water separators (OWS). OWS is a piece of equipment specific to the shipping or marine industry. It is used to separate oil and water mixtures into their separate components.
The last method is flushing with seawater, this method can save freshwater directly. Flushing with seawater can help save precious freshwater resources. In addition, the supply of seawater consumes less electricity than the supply of water, thus reducing carbon emissions, and users can reduce water bills. It actually kills two birds with one stone, we can save money and save the water source at the same time.
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It is possible to apply in Macau. Because Hong Kong has been doing it successfully, it is a very good example for Macau to reference. If Macau wants to be like Hong Kong, the Macau government should change the plumbing materials, and the Macau government has a very strong financial ability to achieve it. Otherwise, the existing materials are not available to be resistant to seawater corrosion. If the government did it, there should not be any problem with the maintenance of the inside service after conversion to seawater for flushing. The quality of seawater for flushing actually does not need to be treated to the same standard as fresh water, but its standard still has to comply with the guidelines laid down by the WSD to ensure the quality of seawater for flushing is acceptable. The seawater is firstly screened by strainers to remove sizeable particles and then disinfected with chlorine or hypochlorite to ensure the water quality meets the WSD’s guidelines on color, turbidity, odor, and so on, before being pumped to service reservoirs and for distribution to consumers. In fact, using seawater to flush is no different from using freshwater, the government needs to achieve it as soon as possible.
Generally speaking, water pollution will bring economic losses, damage the ecology, and affect health.
Water pollution not only directly leads to the death of high economic value aquatic products, but also reduces the light penetrating into the water, and slows down the photosynthesis of plants in the water, so the food provided to high-food-level organisms will also be reduced, resulting in a reduction in fish production. In addition, the environmental damage caused by pollutants also requires a lot of money to repair.
Because the water is polluted, the habitat of organisms in the water will also be destroyed. Affected organisms are not confined to polluted habitats but to the whole ecosystem.
Drinking contaminated drinking water and eating seafood containing contaminants (such as heavy metals) can affect health. At the same time, high levels of E. coli and other pathogens in water can also cause diseases.
In conclusion, the Macau government can make the situation better by using ways such as establishing the polluter pays principle, permitting and penalties for ballast water and even flushing with seawater. Macau is a high-density population area and freshwater is the worst affected. Through the essay, some solutions to these problems remind citizens to protect the environment in Macau and these methods work in other places. The issue of water pollution is global, After that, goal 6.3 will have a way to do it and everyone needs to work together for the sustainable development of the city. no matter whether saving water at home or the government implements a new water-saving policy. Hence, certainly, all characters in Macau should participate in a way to reduce water pollution.
References
- Natalie Leung. (2011) Experts call for attention to coastal water pollution. Retrieved from http://macaudailytimes.com.mo/archive-2009-2014/macau/26082-experts-call-for-attention-on-coastal-water-pollution.html
- Chris Woodford. (2006) Water Pollution: An Introduction To Causes, Effects, Solutions Retrieved from https://www.explainthatstuff.com/waterpollution.html
- Measures Taken to Reduce Water Pollution in Australia. (2017, November 6). Retrieved April 6, 2019, from http://www.pta.asn.au/index.php/news/66-measures-taken-to-reduce-water-pollution-in-australia
- WSD. (2017) Seawater for Flushing Retrieved from https://www.wsd.gov.hk/en/core-businesses/total-water-management-strategy/seawater-for-flushing/index.html
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