Show All Answers

1. How is chlorine toxic to fish and other aquatic life?

Chlorine burns the gills and fins of fish, destroys sensory organs, interferes with the ability of fish to find food and causes internal organ damage. If the receiving water contains decaying or organic matter (from decaying plants, algae and bacteria), chlorine can combine with the byproducts to form compounds called trihalomethanes, which are persistent in the aquatic environment and pose a health threat to living things for a long time.

2. How does copper affect aquatic life?

Copper is found in pipes and used as an algaecide in swimming pools. It is a pollutant that directly threatens aquatic life. Excess copper in water causes the formation of acid pH levels, burns the gills of fish, interferes with respiration and causes internal organ damage.