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Show WATER QUALITY, POLLUTION CONTROL, AND HEALTH FACTORS The major water quality problem existing in the Lower Colorado Region is the heavy burden of dissolved salts carried by regional streams. The salinity of surface waters, and, in many cases, ground water, causes major problems to irrigated agriculture and to municipal and industrial users of water. Substantial future increases in salin- ity are to be expected, unless significant changes in water quality management are initiated, or unless water supplies are augmented, thereby providing additional water for dilution. There is a need to improve the present level of waste water treat- ment and to add advanced methods of treatment in the larger metropolitan areas to minimize the effects of pollution from municipal and industrial wastes and to provide a water quality suitable for other uses. Soil erosion is a cause of water pollution. Not only are eroded soil particles carried into water, but along with them may be pesticides, fertilizers, and other materials picked up from the land surface. Extensive treatment may be needed to make the water supply suitable for household and industrial uses. Muddy water also often upsets the ecology of a stream reducing its recreational potential and fish-sustaining capability. In order to prevent the spread of infectious diseases resulting from increased pressures on environmental resources, programs for the protection of the public health will need to be expanded to keep pace with population growth. Adequate safeguards will be necessary to pro-? tect the public health from water pollution, air pollution, disease- carrying rodents and insects, and possible radiological hazards from the expected use of nuclear fuels for the production of electric power. Modern water treatment facility, Phoenix, Arizona, 86 |