Main Content
Pollution
Water pollution is anything that spoils our rivers, lochs, seas and oceans.
Water pollution not only looks bad, but it also kills plants and animals. Here you can find out how people can pollute less and save the planet.
Pollution happens when fertilisers and weedkillers wash off farm land or if the waste water treatment works don't work properly. Waste from factories can also pollute rivers.
Water from country roads can pollute burns and rivers as it often has high levels of petrol and oil. This can cause oxygen loss in the water which kills plants and animals.
In cities, the water from roads drains into the main waste water network and is treated.
Some people illegally throw weedkiller or paint stripper down the drain which can pollute rivers and upset the waste water treatment process.
Litter left on beaches by careless visitors looks horrible. But a lot of litter also comes from ships. Litter includes:
- broken glass
- plastic
- drinks cans
- paper
- wood
People also flush things that they shouldn't down the toilet. Some of these include:
- nappies
- cotton buds
- cotton wool
- baby wipes
- razors
- paper towels
- nappy liners
- plasters
- cotton wool
- medicine/tablets
- sweet wrappers
These things can block and break sewage screens at the treatment works and can also end up on the beach and in rivers.
Some of the more unusual items we have found at treatment works include toys and even false teeth!
Please don't flush any of these things down the toilet. Instead put them in a bag and then put the bag in the bin.
In the interactive games section, you can play 'Bin or Flush' to find out more.
Get Interactive
Visit our games section and find out how water wise you are. Here you can meet our watery guides, Flo, Snowball and Vapour.