It turns out that bacteria can do a lot more than contaminate water--some species break down toxic chemicals and remove heavy metals. Active sites already clean water in states like Kansas, Utah, Texas, and California; for example, one Californian groundwater treatment plant can clean 2,000 gallons of perchlorate-contaminated water per minute. Though some logistical and technical hurdles remain, these bacterial allies in the fight against water pollution are very promising.

The majority of public water boards in California's San Joaquin Valley have been comprised of the same elected officials year after year. The lack of community representation on the boards as lead to many disadvantages for struggling towns where water pollution has become the norm. As evidenced in West Goshen however, diversifying the boards with local community members can lead to better water management solutions through state-funded grant opportunities.

For years, campaigns to clean Nepal's polluted Bagmati River resulted in failure. Now with police and government backing, the organization Safai Abhiyaan is in its third year, attracting hundreds of volunteers who are willing to brave the polluted waters to collect trash. The program's unique approach to organizing community volunteers has been a success, but the problem will not subside until greater perceptions about litter and water pollution are tackled.

Artisan gold mining - most of it illegal - is one of the greatest environmental and health concerns in Mozambique, but it provides a critical source of labor and economic support, especially for small communities. To help address some of the concerns for land degradation and water pollution, the government is helping miners establish licensed associations, which also provides training on improved business and mining practices, as well as adding some formality and stabilization to the sale of their gold.

In France, some members of the shipping industry are using sailing ships run on wind power to deliver cargo in an effort to reduce fuel use, pollution, and carbon emissions.

As a result of incessant oil spills, a rural community that once relied on fishing for food and its main source of income has begun to diversify its skills and occupations by pursuing more lucrative jobs like tapping rubber trees and growing cassava. Pivoting their occupations has helped to keep families out of poverty, children in school and keep the village’s economy afloat.

Ocean Farms Supply makes and sells oyster harvest bags out of biodegradable materials, rather than plastic, to help cut down pollution. The company sells the bags locally but has also distributed them to other regions like Mexico, California, and Florida, so far replacing the use of 14 linear miles of the previously used polypropylene mesh.