Water makes up 71% of the surface of the Earth. About 60% of the human body is water but still, we continue to neglect its importance and benefits. Water pollution has become a serious issue mainly because of human activities.
Water Pollution
Water pollution occurs when pollutants and unwanted substances contaminate water bodies. It’s the second most commonly known form of environmental pollution after air pollution.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that due to water pollution, around half of the global population still lacks sufficient access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).
The WHO data suggests that if this wasn’t the case, the world could have prevented approximately 1.4 million deaths and 74 million disability-adjusted life years in 2019.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2021 over 2 billion people resided in water-stressed countries, with this number expected to rise due to climate change and population growth. Furthermore, WHO reports that in 2022, 1.7 billion people globally used drinking water sources contaminated with faeces.
It is a must that everyone should have access to clean water and proper sanitation.
Types of water pollution can be classified according to the pollutant sources or water sources. There are many types of water pollution. Let’s discuss them one by one.
1) Groundwater Pollution
Pollution from various sources such as agriculture, urban areas, solid waste, sewage treatment, oil and gas activities, mining, manufacturing, and other industries poses a threat to all of the world’s groundwater.
Groundwater is the major source of fresh water. It’s worth remembering that oceanic water is unfit for drinking purposes.
Groundwater pollution results from inadequate control of human activities. Thus, it surpasses the natural ability of the soil and strata to purify the water.
It can lead to salinization, particularly in coastal areas, which poses a major problem for communities relying on groundwater for drinking and use in homes.
2) Surface water pollution
Surface water bodies are on Earth’s surface, like oceans, lakes, and rivers. When any harmful substance comes into contact with surface water, it’s known as surface water pollution. Such as plastics and feces of living beings.
Surface water pollution occurs in three ways: naturally, accidentally, and intentionally.
Naturally:
When natural events like flooding or tsunamis pick up fertilizers, pesticides, debris, and other contaminants, causing pollution in the surface water.
Accidentally:
Oil spills and agricultural runoff, where pollutants from farms and fields end up in the surface water.
Intentionally:
Unfortunately, some industries may intentionally dump waste directly into waterways, leading to surface water pollution. The human population and marine life both suffer.
3) Chemical Pollution
Chemicals are among the most common types of water contaminants. Chemicals play an indispensable role in various human activities. They are needed in processes like protecting crops, pharmacies, research, factories, and the use of fossil fuels like oil and petrol.
Chemicals can end up in the natural environment in many ways. This can happen through agricultural runoff during heavy rainfall, accidental spills, or improper waste disposal. They affect both surface and underground water bodies and the animals in them. I
Solvents and metals used in industries can pollute rivers and lakes.
Weed, insect, and fungi control in farms using pesticides is the other cause of soil contamination.
4) Microbiological Pollution
This kind of pollution occurs naturally. Existing microorganisms such as protozoa, viruses, and bacteria contaminate and pollute water sources.
Water containing some of these microorganisms can cause diseases such as cholera and bilharzia.
5) Suspended Matter
Waste such as plastics, rubber, and other man-made materials that are improperly disposed of and cannot be broken down easily in water. These are particulate or non-biodegradable waste.
These particles either settle at the bottom of water sources, damaging marine life and leaching toxic chemicals into drinking water supplies, or they float on the surface of the water, preventing oxygen and sunlight from penetrating the water below.
It costs marine lives as well making water unfit for agriculture and human use.
As the suspended matter breaks down into smaller particulate matter, the suspended toxic chemicals threaten the survival of aquatic plants and animals making water polluted and unhygienic.
| Water Pollution | Key Facts and Statistics |
|---|---|
| Water-Stressed Countries (2021) | Over 2 billion people |
| Drinking Water Contaminated with Faeces (2022) | At least 1.7 billion people |
| Diarrhoeal Deaths Annually | Approximately 505,000 |
| Safely Managed Drinking-Water Services (2022) | 73% of the global population (6 billion people) |
| Diarrhoea Deaths Due to Unsafe Water | estimated 1 million people annually |
| Expected Challenges | Climate change, water scarcity, population growth, urbanization |
Sources of water pollution
Water pollutants can come from two main sources: point sources and dispersed sources.
Point sources refer to specific outlets like pipes or channels, such as those used by industrial facilities or city sewerage systems. These discharge pollutants directly into water bodies.
Dispersed sources, also known as nonpoint sources, involve a broader area where various pollutants enter the water body.
For example, runoff from agricultural areas can contribute to water pollution. Some most common sources are :
1) Industrial Waste:
Industries often need a lot of water for their manufacturing processes. Unfortunately, their waste products, which can contain acids, alkalies, dyes, and other chemicals, sometimes end up being dumped into rivers as effluents making them unhygienic.
Chemical industries, like those involved in aluminum production, can release fluoride into the air and water bodies.
Fertilizer industries produce a large amount of ammonia. While steel plants generate cyanide. Chromium salts used in industrial processes can end up in water bodies as effluent.
2) Oil Spoilage: .
Accidents or leaks from cargo tankers carrying petrol, diesel, and other derivatives lead to significant pollution of sources of water.
The oil forms a thin layer of water-in-oil emulsion on the surface and has a devastating impact on marine life.
3) Agriculture Activities:
The use of pesticides and fertilizers, as well as inadequate management of animal waste, can lead to runoff and leaching. It contaminates nearby streams, rivers, and groundwater.
This leads to the introduction of harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites into water sources.
4) Mining:
During the mining process, heavy metals and other contaminants are usually dumped into nearby water sources. This poses a risk to human health and the environment.
5) Domestic Pollution:
Wastewater discharges come from our daily water use, like flushing toilets, using the kitchen, or taking showers. These household uses contain harmful chemical pollutants contributing to water pollution.
6) Urbanization and Population Growth:
Big cities find it hard to meet the water demand of their growing population. More population usually means more waste produced and dumped. Water pollution has become a common occurrence. Clean water supply and storage becomes a major issue.
7) Marine dumping:
Everyday garbage that is not dumped well can end up in the seas and oceans, leading to the formation of garbage islands.
Effects of Water Pollution
There are various effects caused by the water pollution.
1) Food Chain Disruption:
Pollution disrupts the food chain by moving the toxins from one level in the food chain to higher levels.
In some cases, pollution could affect the entire level of a food chain.
2) Impact on agriculture industries:
Water sources contaminated with pollutants affect agricultural production.
This contaminated water used in irrigation reduces crop yields and produces poor crop quality. This results in financial losses for farmers.
3) Dangers to human health:
Every year, water unfit for human consumption makes affects around a billion people worldwide.
Diseases transmitted by contaminated water include cholera, giardia, and typhoid fever.
According to United Nations stats, every year 3.5 million people die from water-related diseases. Most of these people are children.
4) Economic loss:
The World Bank’s report highlights the significant economic loss due to the deterioration of water quality in highly polluted areas.
Industries such as tourism, fishing, and agriculture suffer. This leads to reduced income and opportunities for local communities.
5) Eutrophication:
Chemicals in water bodies lead to eutrophication. Eutrophication is the excessive growth of algae forming a layer on top of the water. When bacteria feed on this algae, it depletes the oxygen levels in the water.
This decrease in oxygen levels can have severe consequences for aquatic life, relying on oxygen to survive.
Treatment or Solutions of Water Pollution
There are various methods to reduce water pollution and treat contaminated water.
1) Wastewater Treatment:
Wastewater treatment facilities use chemical, physical, and biological processes to remove nearly all pollutants from polluted water.
The sewage goes through different chambers in the facility, gradually reducing its toxicity levels. Water released back into the environment is much cleaner and less harmful to aquatic life.
2) Air pollution prevention:
Air pollution has a direct impact on water contamination as 25% of human-induced CO2 emissions are absorbed by oceans.
3) Denitrification:
Denitrification is the natural process when nitrate is converted to nitrogen. The process prevents nitrate from leaching into the soil and reduces groundwater contamination.
This ecological process helps in maintaining water quality and protecting water resources.
4) Anti-pollution laws and policies:
Anti-pollution laws and regulations at local, state, and international levels can help curb water pollution.
Environmental protection policies, such as Clean Water Acts, enforce and apply anti-pollution laws.
By enforcing these laws, we can protect our water resources from pollution and contaminants.
5) Public awareness campaigns:
Social media campaigns are a popular and effective method to reach a wide audience. Artistic mediums like art, photography, and movies also serve as powerful tools.
It is very important to express the importance of clean water and the consequences of pollution to the public. Every needs to play their part for a cleaner and healthier environment.
Environmental organizations and governmental bodies can create mass awareness to educate people on how they can play their role in safeguarding water resources.
