A definition of water pollution is "Water pollution is
the addition of substances or forms of energy that directly or indirectly alter
the nature of a body of water to adversely affect its legitimate uses." These contaminants do not support human
use such as drinking water, or make a marked difference in its ability to
support biotic communities such as fish.
Water pollution related incidents.
In 1932, a factory in the Japanese city of Minamata began dumping its industrial wastewater - methylmercury - into the surrounding bay and sea. Methylmercury is incredibly toxic to humans and animals and has caused a wide range of neurological disorders. Its adverse effects were not immediately apparent. However, this all changed when methylmercury began to bioaccumulate in oysters and fish in Minamata Bay. These affected organisms were then captured and consumed by the local population. Soon, the ill effects of methylmercury became apparent.
Water pollution is the contamination of water beyond use,
usually by human activities. Reservoirs include lakes, rivers, oceans,
aquifers, reservoirs, and groundwater. Water pollution occurs when contaminants
enter these water sources. Human activities that cause water pollution include
waste disposal, industrial activities, agricultural activities, etc. People who
use contaminated water for drinking, bathing, washing or irrigation may also
develop water-borne diseases due to water pollution. When agricultural and
industrial runoff floods waterways with excess nutrients such as nitrogen and
phosphorus, these nutrients often trigger algal blooms that create dead zones
or low-oxygen areas where fish and other aquatic life can no longer thrive.
Almost 70 percent of the world is covered by water, but only 2.5 percent of it is fresh, so securing water supplies is important.
Water pollution can cause human health problems, poison wildlife and long-term ecosystem damage. Globally, contaminated water supplies also dictate health damage in the form of disease. According to the World Health Organization, at least 2 billion people drink water from sources contaminated by faeces, which can transmit dangerous diseases such as cholera and typhoid.
Regulations in many countries limit the discharge of
pollutants into lakes and rivers from industrial and agricultural operations,
and treatment plants make drinking water safe for consumption. However, there
have been setbacks. Pollutant regulations are subject to political pressure.
Effect of water pollution.
Water pollution in urban areas is extreme due to the
discharge of waste and toxic chemicals by industries and commercial
establishments.
Dioxin is a chemical that causes many problems, from
reproduction to uncontrolled cell growth or cancer. These chemicals combine
with contaminated water and can accumulate in the bodies of fish and chickens.
In the end, eating those types of meat can have a great effect on humans.
The impact of water pollution can have a major impact on the
food chain. It disrupts the food chain. Cadmium and lead are some toxic
substances, and these pollutants can cause persistent disturbances at high
levels when they enter the food chain through animals (animals, fish when
consumed by humans).
People are affected by environmental pollution, and diseases
such as hepatitis can be contracted from dead matter in water sources. Poor
drinking water treatment and dirty water can always lead to the spread of
infectious diseases like cholera.
How does river pollution happen?
Some rivers, lakes and groundwater have been rendered
unusable. India's Ganges is the sixth most polluted river in the world. This is
not surprising, because hundreds of nearby industries discharge their
wastewater into the river. Also, religious practices such as burials and
cremations near the coast contribute to environmental pollution. Apart from
environmental impacts, the river poses a serious health risk as it can cause
diseases like typhoid and cholera.
According to a survey, around 4 billion people will face water scarcity by the end of 2026. Today, around 1.2 billion people around the world do not have access to
clean, potable water and proper sanitation. It is also predicted that nearly 1000 children die every year in India
due to water related problems.
Control Water Pollution.
Anyone can help protect watersheds by properly disposing of
motor oil, paint, and other toxic products, keeping them off sidewalks and gutters.
Water pollution, to a large extent, can be controlled by
various methods. It is better to treat sewage effluents before they are
discharged, rather than releasing them into water bodies. By practicing this,
the initial toxicity can be reduced, and the remaining material can be degraded
and rendered harmless by the water body itself.
Water pollution is a very important social issue that needs
to be addressed urgently.