Water Pollution and Its Effects on the Environment

1. Water Pollution and Its Effects on the
Environment
Water is probably the most important resource we as people have. Humans can survive
without food for several weeks, but without water we would die in less than a week. On a
slightly less dramatic note, millions of liters of water are needed every day worldwide for
washing, irrigating crops, and cooling industrial processes, not to mention leisure industries
such as swimming pools and water-sports centers. Despite our dependence on water, we use it
as a dumping ground for all sorts of waste, and do very little to protect the water supplies we
have.
Here I will be focusing on the different sources of water pollution and its effects on the
environment which includes health. Since water is primarily an important need in our daily life’s
and also important to a country economically. Also ways to avoid those sources of water
population and the treatment plant for wastewater population that can be put in place instead
of wasting water and polluting our environment surroundings.
Water pollution is common all over the world nowadays. Water pollution by Wikipedia
is the contamination of water bodies (e.g. lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers and groundwater). This
form of environmental degradation occurs when pollutants are directly or indirectly discharged
into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful compounds. In other words
is when waste products or other substances, such as microorganisms, chemicals, or sewage and
change the physical, thermal, chemical or biological characteristics of the water, therefore
affecting living species and reducing the water's beneficial uses. When those matter gets into
the water, most of the time it makes the water unhealthy.
There are several types of water pollution. First is Nutrients Pollution; Some
wastewater, fertilizers and sewage contain high levels of nutrients. If they end up in water
bodies, they encourage algae and weed growth in the water. This will make the water
undrinkable, and even clog filters. Too much algae will also use up all the oxygen in the water,
and other water organisms in the water will die out of oxygen starvation.
Second is Surface water pollution; Surface water includes natural water found on the
earth's surface, like rivers, lakes, lagoons and oceans. Hazardous substances coming into
contact with this surface water, dissolving or mixing physically with the water can be called
surface water pollution.
Third, Oxygen Depleting; Water bodies have micro-organisms. These include aerobic
and anaerobic organisms. When too much biodegradable matter (things that easily decay) end

2. up in water, it encourages more microorganism growth, and they use up more oxygen in the
water. If oxygen is depleted, aerobic organisms die, and anaerobic organism grow more to
produce harmful toxins such as ammonia and sulfides.
Fourth is Ground water pollution; When humans apply pesticides and chemicals to soils,
they are washed deep into the ground by rain water. This gets to underground water, causing
pollution underground. This means when we dig wells and bore holes to get water from
underground, it needs to be checked for ground water pollution.
Fifth is Microbiological; In many communities in the world, people drink untreated
water (straight from a river or stream). Sometimes there is natural pollution caused by micro-
organisms like viruses, bacteria and protozoa. This natural pollution can cause fishes and other
water life to die. They can also cause serious illness to humans who drink from such waters.
Sixth, Suspended Matter; Some pollutants (substances, particles and chemicals) do not
easily dissolve in water. This kind of material is called particulate matter. Some suspended
pollutants later settle under the water body. This can harm and even kill aquatic life that live at
the floor of water bodies.
Seventh is the Point Source Pollution; Many industries and farmers work with chemicals
that end up in water. These include chemicals that are used to control weeds, insects and pests.
Metals and solvents from industries can pollute water bodies. These are poisonous to many
forms of aquatic life and may slow their development, make them infertile and kill them.
Lastly, Oil Spillage; Oil spills usually have only a localized effect on wildlife but can
spread for miles. The oil can cause the death to many fish and get stuck to the feathers of
seabirds causing them to lose their ability to fly.
There are many causes for water pollution but two general categories exist, the direct
and indirect contaminant sources.
Direct sources includes dumping rubbish or sewage into water bodies and effluent
outfalls from factories, refineries, waste treatment plants, that release fluids of varying
chemical properties and quality directly into urban water supplies. Although these practices are
regulated, yet these pollutants are found in our water bodies and surface areas due the failure
of frequent monitoring processes and the corrupt practices within the authorities responsible.
Indirect sources include contaminants that enter the water supply from
soils/groundwater systems and from the atmosphere via rain water. Soils and ground waters
contain the residue of human agricultural practices (fertilizers, pesticides, etc...) and improperly
disposed of industrial wastes. Atmospheric contaminants are also derived from human
practices (such as gaseous emissions from automobiles, factories and even bakeries).

3. When the water becomes polluted, every living organism that relies on the water source
will be affected because of the harmful chemicals and other pollutants. These chemicals will
not only harm the animals but will affect the plants greatly and humans as well indirectly.
For example, it is a well-known fact that clean water is absolutely an essential thing for
healthy living. Adequate supply of fresh and clean drinking water is a basic need not only for
human beings, but also for animals and plants. If plants and trees absorbs contaminated water
and farm animals drinks polluted water, we humans in order to live will bought them at the
market and might have consumed this products that could cause human internal failures, thus
resulting to sickness and worst, may lead to death.
We might be thinking that only the bodies of water are the only water that could be
contaminated. But there are more things than the water itself that could greatly affect not only
plants and animals, but most, us humans.
Pesticide; Run-off from farms, backyards, and golf courses contain pesticides such as
DDT ((dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) a colorless, crystalline, tasteless and almost odorless
organochloride known for its insecticidal properties) that in turn contaminate the water.
Groundwater is susceptible to contamination, as pesticides are mobile in the soil. And where
do we use groundwater most? Deepwells. The organophosphates and carbonates present in
pesticides affect and damage the nervous systemand can cause cancer. Some of the pesticides
contain carcinogens that exceed recommended levels. Its effects on the ecosystems and health
are endocrine and reproductive damage in wildlife.
Sewage; Untreated or inadequately treated municipal sewage is a major source of
groundwater and surface water pollution in the developing countries. The organic material that
is discharged with municipal waste into the watercourses uses substantial oxygen for biological
degradation thereby upsetting the ecological balance of rivers and lakes. Sewage carries
microbial pathogens that are the cause of the spread of disease.
Nutrients; Domestic waste water, agricultural run-off, and industrial effluents contain
phosphorus and nitrogen, fertilizer run-off, manure from livestock operations, which increase
the level of nutrients in water bodies and can cause eutrophication in the lakes and rivers and
continue on to the coastal areas. The nitrates come mainly from the fertilizer that is added to
the fields. Excessive use of fertilizers causes nitrate contamination of groundwater, with the
result that nitrate levels in drinking water is far above the safety levels recommended.
Synthetic organics; Many of the 100 000 synthetic compounds in use today are found in
the aquatic environment and accumulate in the food chain. POPs or Persistent organic
pollutants represent the most harmful element for the ecosystem and for human health, for
example, industrial chemicals and agricultural pesticides. These chemicals can accumulate in

4. fish and cause serious damage to human health. Where pesticides are used on a large-scale,
groundwater gets contaminated and this leads to the chemical contamination of drinking
water.
Acidification; Acidification of surface water, mainly lakes and reservoirs, is one of the
major environmental impacts of transport over long distance of air pollutants such as sulphur
dioxide from power plants, other heavy industry such as steel plants, and motor vehicles.
Fluoride. Fluoride in the water is essential for protection against dental caries and
weakening of the bones. It is also a need of a human body, but higher levels can have an
adverse effect on health. It can cause yellowing of the teeth and damage to the spinal cord and
other crippling diseases.
Arsenic. Arsenic occurs naturally or is possibly aggregated by over powering aquifers
and by phosphorus from fertilizers. High concentrations of arsenic in water can have an adverse
effect on health. A majority of people in an area near mining which is rich in arsenic was found
suffering from arsenic skin lesions.
Nitrates. Drinking water that gets contaminated with nitrates can prove fatal especially
to infants that drink formula milk as it restricts the amount of oxygen that reaches the brain
causing the ‘blue baby’ syndrome. It is also linked to digestive tract cancers. It causes algae to
bloom resulting in eutrophication in surface water.
Most intestinal (enteric) diseases are infectious and are transmitted through fecal
waste. Pathogens – which include virus, bacteria, protozoa, and parasitic worms – are disease-
producing agents found in the fecal of infected persons. These diseases are more prevalent in
areas with poor sanitary conditions.
The pathogens travel through water sources and interfuses directly through persons
handling food and water. Since these diseases are highly infectious, extreme care and hygiene
should be maintained by people looking after an infected patient. Hepatitis, cholera, dysentery,
and typhoid are the more common water-borne diseases that affect large populations.
Exposure to polluted water can cause diarrhea, skin irritation, respiratory problems, and
other diseases, depending on the pollutant that is in the water body.
Stagnant water and other untreated water provide a habitat for the mosquito and a
host of other parasites and insects that cause a large number of diseases especially in the
tropical regions. Among these, malaria is undoubtedly the most widely distributed and causes
most damage to human health.

5. There are several threats to our water resources. Oil Spills kill thousands of seabirds and
can wreck water desalination plants and industrial plants drawing their water from affected
coastlines. However, oil can get into the sea from many other sources, and cause just as much
damage.
Poor management of existing water resources can lead to those resources running out
or at least shrinking. Much of the pollution in rivers and seas comes from chemicals, mainly
from agriculture. The effects of pollution can vary from localized damage to disturbance of the
ecology of an entire waterway.
The impact of pollution depends on the type and amount of contamination, the period
of exposure, and on the characteristics of the waterway itself.
Water-borne epidemics and health hazards in the aquatic environment are mainly due
to improper management of water resources. Proper management of water resources has
become the need of the hour as this would ultimately lead to a cleaner and healthier
environment.
Dealing with water pollution is something that everyone (including governments and
local councils) needs to get involved with. In order to prevent the spread of water-borne
infectious diseases, people should take adequate precautions. The city water supply should be
properly checked and necessary steps taken to disinfect it. Water pipes should be regularly
checked for leaks and cracks.
At home, the water should be boiled, filtered, or other methods and necessary steps
taken to ensure that it is free from infection. The enormous problem of water pollution could
be solved by using filters on the sewage tanks that pump out harmful chemicals and by having
the big corporations pay to clean up the water that they have polluted.
Even us in our simple own ways could help to prevent water pollution. Here are few
things on how we can help in preventing water pollution.
Never throw rubbish away anyhow. Always look for the correct waste bin. If there is
none around, please take it home and put it in your trash can. This includes places like the
beach, riverside and water bodies.
Use water wisely. Do not keep the tap running when not in use. Also, you can reduce
the amount of water you use in washing and bathing. If we all do this, we can significantly
prevent water shortages and reduce the amount of dirty water that needs treatment.
Do not throw chemicals, oils, paints and medicines down the sink drain, or the toilet. In
many cities, your local environment office can help with the disposal of medicines and

6. chemicals. Check with your local authorities if there is a chemical disposal plan for local
residents.
Buy more environmentally safe cleaning liquids for use at home and other public places.
They are less dangerous to the environment
If you use chemicals and pesticides for your gardens and farms, be mindful not to
overuse pesticides and fertilizers. This will reduce runoffs of the chemical into nearby water
sources. Start looking at options of composting and using organic manure instead.
If you live close to a water body, try to plant lots of trees and flowers around your
home, so that when it rains, chemicals from your home does not easily drain into the water.
Every government should also be particular in Liquid Waste (Sewage/Wastewater)
Treatment. Wastewater (liquid waste) from flushing the toilet, bathing, washing sinks and
general cleaning goes down the drain and into a pipe, which joins a larger sewer pipe under the
road. The larger pipe should also join a major pipe that leads to the treatment center.
The treatment should undergo different stages. Screening is first stage of the
wastewater treatment process. Screening removes large objects like, diapers, nappies, sanitary
items, cotton buds, face wipes and even broken bottles, bottle tops, plastics and rags that may
block or damage equipment. Special equipment is also used to remove grit that gets washed
into the sewer.
Primary treatment is the second stage. This involves the separation of organic solid
matter (or human waste) from the wastewater. This is done by putting the wastewater into
large settlement tanks for the solids to sink to the bottom of the tank. The settled solids are
called ‘sludge’. At the bottom of these circular tanks, large scrappers continuously scrape the
floor of the tank and push the sludge towards the center where it is pumped away for further
treatment. The rest of the water is then moved to the Secondary treatment.
Next is the stage three which is secondary treatment. The water, at this stage is put into
large rectangular tanks. These are called aeration lanes. Air is pumped into the water to
encourage bacteria to breakdown the tiny bits of sludge that escaped the sludge scrapping
process.
Last stage was four for final treatment. Next the ‘almost’ treated wastewater is passed
through a settlement tank. Here, more sludge is formed at the bottom of the tank from the
settling of the bacterial action. Again, the sludge is scrapped and collected for treatment. The
water at this stage is almost free from harmless substances and chemicals. The water is allowed
to flow over a wall where it is filtered through a bed of sand to remove any additional particles.

7. This kind of treatment should be govern before the water is released on rivers and
ocean. Thus, helps us to maintain the cleanliness of water to prevent pollution.
More public awareness should also be raised as exampled in Earth Day. Earth Day is a
good start, but it is only one day. People need to be taught more and learn more about
pollution as a whole and their environment.
Important facts of water pollution.
 Polluted drinking waters are a problem for about half of the world’s population. Each
year there are about 250 million cases of water-based diseases, resulting in roughly 5 to
10 million deaths.
Source: Top Facts about Pollution., http://theexpeditionproject.com/info/top-enviro-
stuff/522-top-facts-about-pollution
 In developing countries, 70% of industrial wastes are dumped untreated into waters
where they pollute the usable water supply.
Source: WWAP
 How the world uses freshwater:
• about 70 percent for irrigation
• about 22 percent for industry
• about 8 percent for domestic use
Source: World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP)