Water pollution can come from many sources. Depending on the source, pollution may be treated or released in rivers, streams, and Boston Harbor. Below are some examples of sources for water pollution:

Home
Toilets: human waste, toilet paper, cleaning chemicals, food
Shower/Bathtub: hair, soap, germs, dirt
Sinks: grease, garbage, food
Washing machine: detergent, lint, dirt, grease, bleach, coins

Factories & Offices
Industrial chemicals in wastewater may include anything from solvents to
metals. Industrial chemicals can cause cancers or other disease.

Atmospheric deposition
Particles from industrial processes and from burning fossil fuels fall down
to the ground and into Boston Harbor. The particles include toxic metals (mercury and lead) and combustion products like soot and cancer-causing chemicals.

Street Run-Off
Rain washes pollution from the soil, streets, and other surfaces into storm drains. Storm drains empty into rivers or the harbor. Street run off (also called storm water) is hard to clean up. But citizens can help out by not dumping, spilling, or pouring waste on the ground and by cleaning up after pets.

Farms & Landscaping
Amimals may contribute to water pollution when their droppings enter the water stream. Also, animals may erode stream banks, breaking down natural pollution barriers.Fertilizers, pesticides and even irrigation may contribute to pollution.

Lawn & Gardens
Excess fertilizer, insecticides and weed killers may all wash down into the sewerage system or into the ground water or surface water which then flows into rivers, lakes, or the ocean.

Boats & Marinas
Oil, bilge water, dead fish and garbage (e.g. plastic six pack holders and fishing lines) from boats may be dumped from boats. Trash from boats can pose a serious threat to marine life. Turtles, whales, fish, and sea birds can be tangled up and strangled by plastics such as fishing lines and six-pack holders.