In the United States the controversial debate over water privatization is closely associated with the questionable federal laws regulating tap water, but most importantly with the dangerous consequences of water pollution. How polluted really is the water Americans drink everyday? It seems almost inevitable to correlate public statements about the dangerous quality of tap water with giant bottled corporations and lobbyists who are organizing clever campaigns in order to counter-respond to the anti-bottled water campaigns pushed forward by environmentalist groups. Despite the economical or political interests involve, water pollution is a reality that need to be contained and controlled. From industrial waste, to sewage dumping without forgetting oil pollution, wetlands and the wildlife all over the world are suffering greatly and risk to be altered forever. Public opinion often rapidly condemns industrial waste for ruining the quality of their water or the beauty of our oceans. Yet, most of us forget that we are all partly  responsible for water pollution through sewage and waste water. Considering that nobody desires to live close to a polluted area, particularly not near a dumpsite, wastewater and sewage are transported from homes and dumped in various wetlands. “ Most developing countries practice this type of sewage disposal. Even modern countries carry poorly treaty sewage to canals leading to major bodies of water” (Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?What-is-the-Cause-of-Water-Pollution?&id=528398).  The situation becomes dangerous when a sewage pipe breaks and the waste rapidly contaminates the water that we end up drinking from our tap. When we think about products like shampoo, bleach, or laundry detergent, human waste is perhaps the least “toxic” element that is thrown in our rivers and lakes. Untreated sewage water contaminates the environment and consequently the fish we eat. Heavy metals can cause birth defects and some of them are even carcinogenic. According to the online Water Pollution Guide, in developed countries sewage pollution is often worsen by the fact that often people flush down the toilet pharmaceutical substances; therefore sewage ends up bringing into the environment viruses and bacteria (Source: http://www.water-pollution.org.uk/sewageandwastewater.html).  While sewage produced by households are a water pollution that could be contained or avoided, it is crucial to focus on industrial waste, the main source of water contamination. According to the UN water website, “in developing countries 70% of industrial wastes are dumped untreated into water where they pollute the usable water supply” (Source: http://www.unwater.org/statistics_pollu.html). The majority of industries dump harmful metals and chemicals into freshwater sources that carry the water away into lakes and oceans. Once dumped into the water, the chemicals often alter the level of oxygen causing the death of many aquatic organisms. Substances such as solvents are not biodegradable and therefore alter the equilibrium of ecosystems. The most frequent industrial pollutants that contaminate our waters are: asbestos, (that causes lung cancer or liver cancer), lead (a harmful metal for both human beings and animals) or oil which doesn’t dissolve in water and causes dramatic results like we have all witness with the recent BP oil.  According to the UNESCO website, “in developing countries, 70% of industrial wastes are dumped untreated into waters where they pollute the usable water supply” (Source: http://www.unwater.org/statistics_pollu.html). The gravity of such statistic speaks for itself  and it seems almost unbelievable that in a civilized country like the United States, there are no strict legislations in order to prevent water or pollution. In the cases were a legislation already exists it fails to be truly apply and sanctions are not severe enough in order to discourage industries from dumping their sewage into water lands. Today, an estimated “40% of America’s rivers are too polluted for fishing, swimming or aquatic life while 46% of America’s lakes are too polluted for fishing or swimming”(Source: http://www.grinningplanet.com/2005/07-26/water-pollution-facts-article.htm). The situation is dramatic considering the fact that water pollution is increasing. BP oil and the lack of an immediate response in order to contain damages immediately come to mind when we think about measures to stop water poisoning. Asia has the most polluted waters in the world,  they have three times more bacteria than the world average and 20 times more lead than rivers in developed countries. We need to keep in mind that only 3% of the water sources in the world are potable. The world is affected by an international global crisis. Pollution is slowly eating up that 3% of drinkable clean water. While we quickly rally against water privatization we forget that previous and preventive measures should be taken BEFORE we reach a point of no return. From organic substance to toxic ones, industrial pollution has caused great damages, yet individuals also need to take responsibility and realize that household sewage plays an important part in water pollution.