IntroductionThe Great Lakes provide nearly half of the water for Ontario residents. The Great Lakes also provide water to residents of Thunder Bay, Port Hope, Sault St Marie, Niagara and many parts of the United States, to name a few. With 70% of the Earth covered in water, only 0.1% is clean, accessible drinking water. The Great Lakes play an important role in helping provide water to people living near the American/Canadian border. However, this resource is being mistreated. Water pollution is a growing problem in the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes are contaminated with pollutants that are released from direct and indirect sources without adequate treatment. This is causing the lake to be polluted with harmful chemicals. By identifying the cause we can take steps to help conserve the Great Lakes and help restore it to its natural beauty. Sources of Water Pollution The first step in helping the Great Lakes is to identify the source of the pollution. When divided, three main sources of water pollution can be distinguished; point source pollution, non-point source pollution and air pollution. These three sources contribute to pollution of the Great Lakes. Point Source Pollution With point source pollution the pollutants come directly from a known source. This source is usually an industry (such as a factory) that releases its waste into the lake. This trash could range from employee toilet water and animal carcasses to toxic chemicals and machine oils. Knowing the source of the pollution was the easiest and fastest way to stop it. Nearly all point source pollutants have been tracked and regulated since 1972. Because of… half of the document… Agreement. (2013, January 1). binational.net. Retrieved May 28, 2014, from http://binational.net/home_e.htmlLatham, A., Wright, E., & Tsang, A. (n.d.). Effects of pollution on the Great Lakes ecosystem: introduction and context. Effects of pollution on the Great Lakes ecosystem: introduction and context. Retrieved May 28, 2014, from http://sitemaker.umich.edu/section5group1/introduction_and_ background PCB Concentrations Found in the Great Lakes [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://sitemaker.umich.edu/section5group1/files/chart.pngEPA, U. (Manufacturer). Dissolved Oxygen Concentration - Central Lake Erie Basin Hypolimnion [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/greatlakes/lakeerie/erdo8893.gif Toxic Algae Blooms [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.biodivcanada.ca/0B70CAF9-C37E-4CF8-B487-B618F3981E6B/2-6-Toxic-bloom-May30PC.png