Which of the following would be a significant action to address water pollution?

Improving waste management practices is a significant action to address water pollution because effective waste management directly reduces the amount of pollutants entering water bodies. This includes practices such as recycling, proper disposal of hazardous materials, and ensuring that sewage and industrial waste are treated before being released into the environment. Enhanced waste management can mitigate the effects of pollutants like plastics, chemicals, and organic waste, which can otherwise lead to contamination of drinking water sources, degradation of aquatic habitats, and harm to wildlife.

Addressing waste at the source not only protects water quality but also supports broader environmental health by minimizing the overall volume of waste generated. In contrast, increasing agricultural inputs could lead to more runoff of fertilizers and pesticides, while reducing media coverage on pollution and advocating for less government oversight could undermine efforts to mobilize community action or enforce environmental regulations.