Water Pollution: Causes, Effects, and Solutions

 

What is Water Pollution

Water pollution occurs when harmful substances contaminate the water of rivers, lakes, seas, and groundwater. These harmful substances degrade the quality of water, making it unsafe for humans, animals, and plants. Harmful substances come from different sources and may affect the surface water and groundwater. Water pollution affects the environment by spreading diseases and threatening aquatic ecosystems.

Toxic substances such as oil, metals, plastics, pesticides, and industrial waste are causes of water pollution. Control of water pollution requires coordinated efforts to protect water resources. The government should introduce the technology to improve sanitation, sewage treatment, and the disposal of agricultural and industrial wastewater.

Causes of Water Pollution 

Industrial waste

Industries discharge large amounts of pollutants such as toxic substances, chemicals, and heavy metals directly into water bodies. The factories that are near the water bodies throw all their waste into the water, which leads to the pollution of the water. 

These wastes can be hazardous or non-hazardous and often require proper treatment or disposal to minimize the environmental and health risks.

Sewage

Sewage that contains harmful bacteria, viruses, and chemicals is disposed of into the water of lakes, rivers, and seas. Sewage is the domestic wastewater from homes that leads to several water-related illnesses, such as diarrhea, skin allergies

According to the United Nations, more than 80 percent of the world's wastewater flows back into the environment without being treated or reused.

Agriculture

Farmers use different types of pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides to increase crop yield. When it rains, these chemicals wash off into rivers and lakes, leading to nutrient pollution and the growth of harmful algae. Because fertilizer contains nitrogen and phosphorus, which are harmful to living beings.

Dumping of Solid Waste

Littering of solid waste into the water by humans is a reason for water pollution. Dumping of solid waste such as plastic (bottles and bags), cardboard, and styrofoam contaminates water and makes it unsafe for consumption. Plastics take hundreds of years to decompose and pose serious risks to marine animals.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a large area of floating plastic waste in the Pacific Ocean.

Oil Spills

An oil spill is the release of liquid petroleum (crude oil or refined oil products) into the environment, particularly into oceans, rivers, or coastal areas. It can cause devastating pollution in the ocean, harming marine ecosystems and affecting local fishing and tourism industries.
It occurs due to accidents of oil tankers, offshore drilling rigs, and pipelines, and sometimes ships may illegally discharge oily waste or ballast water (used to stabilize the ship) into the sea, contributing to oil pollution.

Effects of Water Pollution

Health of Living Beings 

Water pollution has serious effects on the health of both humans and wildlife. Contaminated water can carry pathogens (bacteria, viruses, and parasites) that cause diseases like cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and hepatitis A. Sometimes these diseases can lead to severe dehydration, gastrointestinal problems, and even problems, and even death, particularly in regions without access to clean water and sanitation.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 80% of the world's diseases and 50 % of the world's child deaths can be attributed to poor drinking water quality.
Report to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), swimming in sewage-polluted water comes with its own dangers, including skin rashes, pinkeye, respiratory infections, and hepatitis.

In an ecosystem, all animals, plants, and bacteria interact directly or indirectly with each other. If one species is affected, it can endanger an entire underwater environment. The people who are consuming seafood are also at risk of facing health issues.
If water pollution continues, sources of fresh, clean water become scarcer, and people with the resources can easily purchase filtered water to drink, but low-income communities can not afford so poor people highest risk of water-related illness.

Ground Water Contamination

Pesticides and fertilizers used for the cultivation of crops are contamination the groundwater as well as our ecosystem. If this groundwater is supplied to our homes directly through bore wells or tube wells, it will lead to many health problems because groundwater moves slowly and is difficult to clean once contaminated.

Landfills and improperly managed waste dumps can leak harmful substances like methane, toxic chemicals, and metals into the soil. If not properly handled and controlled, this pollutant can reach your drinking water. Acid mine drainage is a common issue. lead to the release of acidic water containing heavy metals into nearby water systems.

How to Prevent Water Pollution

Water pollution is a very serious issue; no individual or group of individuals can handle it, and the government should make a plan of strategies to reduce harmful substances entering water bodies.

Reduces Agriculture Runoff

• For the natural filters to plant the grass, trees, or shrubs along the edges of fields, especially near water bodies, these plants absorb nutrients, pesticides, and sediments before they reach streams or rivers.

• The government should use technology to apply fertilizers and water more efficiently, minimizing excess runoff.

• Governments should enforce laws that regulate agricultural runoff, including limits on fertilizer and pesticide use, and promote the use of best management practices.

• Farmers can adopt practices like crop rotation, cover cropping, and organic farming to reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

• Governments and organizations can offer financial incentives, grants, or subsidies to farmers who adopt runoff-reducing practices such as buffer strips, cover crops, and efficient irrigation systems.

Waste Water Disposal 

• Proper disposal of the wastewater before the drain also improves the sewage treatment facilities to ensure that water released back into rivers and oceans is free from harmful pathogens and chemicals.

• Properly recycle plastic bottles and bags to prevent them from reaching rivers and oceans.

• Biological processes, such as activated sludge systems or biofilters, are used to break down organic matter in the wastewater. Bacteria and microorganisms digest the organic pollutants, reducing their concentration.

• Zero liquid discharge is used to eliminate liquid wastewater by recovering as much water as possible for reuse within industrial processes. The remaining solid waste is treated and disposed of safely.

Oil Disposal

• The government should adopt proper planning to dispose of motor oil, cooking oil, and grease at designated recycling facilities rather than pouring them down the drain, as oil can clog water treatment systems and pollute water bodies.

• You must maintain vehicles, machinery, and pipelines to prevent leakages.

• Reduce oil extraction and transportation activities, which are major contributors to water pollution through spills and leaks.

Control Industrial Pollution 

• The industries can reduce pollution by adopting energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and bioenergy.

• Industries should be switching to cleaner fuels (natural gas instead of coal) that significantly reduce the emission of harmful pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx).

• The government should enforce stricter regulations on industries, ensuring that they treat wastewater before releasing it into the environment.

Educate and Raise Awareness

• It is essential to provide education and awareness about water pollution to promote responsible behavior, drive policy changes, and protect water resources.

• In school, you should encourage students to engage in hands-on activities, such as water testing and monitoring local water sources, to help them understand the impacts of pollution and the importance of clean water.

• Provide awareness to people about the consequences of water pollution through organizing local workshops and seminars to educate the community about its effects on human health and the environment, and how individuals can contribute to reducing pollution. 

• People can participate in river, lake, or beach clean-up drives, where volunteers remove waste and pollutants from water bodies. These events raise awareness about the sources of pollution and encourage waste reduction.

Related Topic: Land Pollution, Types, and Causes