WATER POLLUTION – ITS CAUSES, EFFECTS AND REMEDIES

OVERVIEW :-

“WATER” , the lifeline of all the living species on the Earth. Without water it is not possible to survive a single day whether you are a human being or if we take in account any other organisms. Even the plants and trees which provide us oxygen to breathe can not survive without water.

The molecular formula of water is H₂O. It means it has two molecules of hydrogen and one molecule of oxygen to form one molecule of water. More than 70% of the Earth surface is covered with water. Out of the total water present on Earth around 97% is saline water present in oceans and seas. This water is not fit for drinking. The other 2% water is in form of glaciers at the two poles – North and South. The only remaining 1% is fresh water which is available in rivers and lakes. Only this 1% water is used for drinking and other day to day activities.

Distribution of Water available on Earth (in %)

But due to rapid increasing population, urbanisation, industrialisation over the years, water pollution has become a great matter of concern for the world community.

CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF WATER POLLUTION :-

Domestic savage is one of the reason for water pollution. People living near water bodies discharge the human wastes in the water. Also in many urban areas there are no sewage treatment plants which can detoxify human wastes before discharging it in the water bodies like rivers. This increases the concentration of harmful organisms in the water and the water becomes unfit for drinking.

Discharging of Sewage Water without Treatment

Discharge of industrial wastes by factories situated near water bodies is also a major cause of water pollution. Industrial wastes contains a lot of toxic elements like mercury and silicon. These elements contaminate the water and it is no longer fit for human use.
Excess use of fertilizers and pesticides also possesses a threat. These fertilizers and pesticides penetrates into the groundwater and makes it toxic. They also flow down into the water bodies and the flora and fauna which lives in these water bodies die in large numbers every year due to increase in water toxicity level.

Chemical Fertilizers Contaminate Ground Water

Global warming is another cause of water pollution. Due to global warming, the temperature of water in the water bodies increases rapidly. The flora and fauna living in these water bodies are not able to adapt themselves with this rapid increase in temperature and it results in a loss of large number of aquatic species.

REMEDIES TO COMBAT WATER POLLUTION :-

As far as possible, the effective implementation of 3R’s should be done. These 3R’s are Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

Majority of the industrial waste must be treated before discharging it in the water bodies.
Excess use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides should be banned and the use of biological and eco-friendly products must be used in agriculture.
Sewage treatment plants should be installed so that biological wastes does not be discharged in water bodies without proper treatment. Effective monitoring of these sewage treatment plants must be undertaken for proper functioning of them.

Functioning of Wastewater Treatment Plant

Global warming threat should be taken under consideration and effective measures should be taken to reduce the factors that are responsible for global warming.

Links :-

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.norcalcompactors.net/safeguard-environment-three-rs-reduce-reuse-recycle/amp/