Water Pollution

The contamination of lakes, oceans, aquifers, groundwater (water bodies) due to inappropriate activities of humans is called water pollution.

Causes:

•  Disposal of untreated wastewater into natural reservoirs of water.

•  Junking of solid waste and garbage in water bodies.

• Discharge of industrial waste into water.

• Ocean and seawater get polluted due to spilled oil from tankers and ships.

•  Acid rain is also a source of water pollution.

Harmful effects:

• It causes the death of organisms living in water bodies.

• The food chain is disrupted due to the death of small fishes because big fishes and humans depend on them for their food requirements.

• Poisoned seafood can cause different diseases in humans like hepatitis and cholera.

• Ecosystems can be destroyed by water pollution.

• The availability of safe drinking water is reduced.

Precautionary measures:

•  Don’t allow fats and oil during cooking and washing plates to go down the sink.

• Don’t flush medicines or drugs down the toilet.

• Don’t use toilets as wastebaskets.

• Use less amount of detergent and bleaches while washing clothes or dishes.

• Lower the use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. Don’t dispose of these into sanitary systems.

• Don’t dispose of motor oil and other fluids of automotive in the sanitary system

• Re-use plastic bags as much as possible. In this way, there will be less plastic that will end up in water bodies.

•  Follow the laws made to control water wastage and pollution.

•  Drains should be cleaned regularly.

• Dead bodies should not be thrown in rivers.

• Petroleum shouldn’t be mixed in water.

• Some algae and plants are helpful to keep the water clean. They should be grown in water bodies.

• There should be proper sewage facilities.

• Awareness should be created in people about wastage of water.

• Pollutants should be converted into non-toxic substances.

• Toxic substances should be removed from the water before its disposal into water bodies.

• Laws should be made and forced on industries to treat water before its disposal.

• People should clean canals, lakes, and rivers near them. Community clean-up projects should be encouraged.