We sometimes hear politicians and pundits say, "There's no water pollution problem anymore. We've done very well cleaning up our water." Now, we would never suggest that anyone take a politician at their word or believe the TV—proceed into the spin zone at your own risk. But since there are no rivers on fire now and we don't see too many stories about fish kills, they must be right, eh? On the other hand, a majority of people in the Western world seem to think their tap water is much less safe and drinkable than bottled water, which is a very expensive way for people to quench their thirst.

So, when it comes to water pollution facts, who's all wet and whose got it right? These facts will help you get started splashing around in the deep end of the water pollution issue.

Water Pollution Fact One

40% of America's rivers are too polluted for fishing, swimming, or aquatic life

Water Pollution Fact Two

Even worse are America's lakes—46% are too polluted for fishing, swimming, or aquatic life.

Water Pollution Fact Three

Two-thirds of US estuaries and bays are either moderately or severely degraded from eutrophication (nitrogen and phosphorus pollution).

Water Pollution Fact Four

1.2 trillion gallons of untreated sewage, storm water, and industrial waste are discharged into US waters annually. The US EPA has warned that sewage levels in rivers could be back to the super-polluted levels of the 1970s by the year 2016.

Water Pollution Fact Five

In any given year, about 25% of beaches in the US are under advisories or are closed at least one time because of water pollution.

Water Pollution Fact Six

Pollution of freshwater (drinking water) is a problem for about half of the world's population. Each year there are about 250 million cases of water-related diseases, with roughly 5 to 10 million deaths.

Water Pollution Fact Seven

Around 80% of the pollution in seas and oceans comes from land-based activities.

Water Pollution Fact Eight

Each year, plastic waste in water and coastal areas kills up to:

• 100,000 marine mammals

• 1 million sea birds

• Countless fish.