One of the main threats to our water is sewage spills.  These spills endanger the lives of plants and animals as well as our own.  Our activities on these waterways are affected greatly by this pollution.  Many charitable groups out there devote their time and energy to seeing that these waterways are cleaned up.  However, they cannot do it alone; they need our contributions to help keep these places clean. When water is polluted, it is unsafe and unfit to drink or participate in recreational activities in or around it.

Point source and non point source are two types of pollutions.  When substances are mixed into a body of water by a direct route, this is called point source.  Through changes in our environment, other pollutants enter our waterways, which is called non point source pollution.  When farmers plow their fields, fertilizers drain into our rivers. This is a good example of non point source pollution.  

River pollution is not only in our lands, but all over the world.  Let us look at China and its Yellow river. This river is the second largest river in that country. It has gotten out of control with pollution.  The people, and government there are putting in laws to prevent a large amount pollution in this important waterway. If this is not done, it will slow their economic growth severely, as well as the health and welfare of the people living along this river.  
Keeping water free of pollutants is a priority for survival of all living beings on this planet.