Solutions...Eureka!!!

Of course the majority of water pollution comes from the amount of oil spills that occur every year. However, it is essential to the safety of our environment that oil and oil by-products are prevented from reaching the ocean.

What Can the Government Do?
• “Tightening regulations governing maintenance and inspections of commercial ships, motor boats, and recreational water craft, which can leak oil and fuel into the water.“
• “Requiring filtration ponds and natural buffer zones around roads and parking lots to help keep runoff contaminated with oil and gas drips from getting into waterways.”
• “Doing more citizen education on the subject of how to keep oil out of our environment.”

What can we do?
• “Drive your vehicle less. That will mean your vehicle is putting less petroleum pollution into our waters (not to mention less air pollution into our air).”
• “Maintain your vehicle more. If you see oil stains on your driveway, your car needs attention.”
• “If you must own a motorized boat or jet ski, keep it well maintained.”
• “We hope it goes without saying, but if you change your oil yourself, don't dump the used oil down the nearest sewer drain! In many places, local service stations are required by law to accept your used oil. Alternatively, most municipal recycling centers accept used motor oil.”

Miscellaneous Solutions:
• “All countries should pass laws to prevent cruise ships from dumping untreated sewage, gray water, and oily bilge water into oceans and coastal waters. Globally, coast guards should coordinate enforcement efforts.”
• “Traditional power plants use fresh water and can add thermal and other types of pollution to that water. Moving much more aggressively on increasing our use of solar energy, wind power, wave/tide energy, and other clean technologies that don't use freshwater resources is a good solution generally, not just for water pollution.”
• “The growing impact of plastic pollution in the oceans will be one of the big disaster stories of this century. Much of the plastic in the oceans comes from ships and boats, but some comes from land-based use. Try to figure out ways you can use less plastic, especially plastic food storage bags and other types of plastic that are easily blown around.”
• “Litter from land is carried by wind or rivers to oceans and beaches. So, don't litter. It's also good if you can occasionally pick up someone else's litter. Every litter bit help. Anyway... A healthy sea turtle somewhere thanks you.”

http://www.grinningplanet.com/2008/01-08/water-pollution-solutions-article.htm