These contaminants can make wading and swimming unhealthy. Environmental Reasons Sediment in water bodies can cover the eggs of fish and other organisms, preventing them from hatching. Excess sediment that is suspended in streams and rivers acts like sandpaper on fish and other organisms. Suspended sediment can also abrade the tissues of plants that live in the water. Sediment in water bodies can clog the gills of fish and other organisms that have gills, making breathing difficult.
Sediment reduces light penetration, making photosynthesis more difficult for water plants.
While blocking light penetration, the soil particles absorb the heat from sunlight and later release it, thereby raising the temperature of the water and driving off desirable fish populations. Excess sediments build up in lakes and rivers. This raises the water level but reduces water depth, which decreases canoeing and fishing opportunities. Economic Reasons Excess sediment can increase the cost of treating drinking water and negatively affect the equipment used in the drinking water treatment process. This increases the cost of treating drinking water.