Water is very useful for our daily life. We use it for various purpose like cocking, washing cloths, cleaning, drinking, industries and agriculture etc.Undesirable change in the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water that may harmfully affect the life or create a potential hazard for living organism is called “water pollution”.

2. CONTENT
1: INTRODUCTION
2: MEANING OF WATER POLLUTION
3: WATER POLLUTANTS
4: SOURCES OF WATER POLLUTION
5: EFFECT OF WATER POLLUTION
6: CONTROL OF WATER POLLUTION

3. 1: INTRODUCTION
ØWater is very useful for our daily
life. We use it for various purpose like
cocking, washing cloths, cleaning,
drinking, industries and agriculture
etc.
Øabout 85 to 90% of the weight of
the living body is water.
ØTwo-third of the surface of the
earth is covered with water.
ØAbout 97% of the total water
present on earth is salt water and
remaining 3% is fresh water.

4. 1: INTRODUCTION
Øthe sources of water are: sea, rain, groundwater and
surface water.
Ø the freshwater present in ponds, ditches, streams,
rivers, lakes and below the ground is generally used by
us different purposes.
Ø water is called “pure water” when it is devoid of
micro-organisms and has very low amount of salt.

5. 2: MEANING OF WATER POLLUTION
qUndesirable change in the physical, chemical and
biological characteristics of water that may harmfully
affect the life or create a potential hazard for living
organism is called “water pollution”.
qDegradation of environment with the introduction of
man-made extraneous materials to water is also called
“water pollution”.
qThrough various natural and human activities organic
and inorganic substances are introduced into water and
as a lesult water becomes polluted.

6. 3: WATER POLLUTANTS
n Infectious Agents
– Bacteria, Viruses, Protozoa, Parasitic
Worms
– Source: Human and animal waste
n Oxygen-Demanding Waste
– Organic debris & waste + aerobic
bacteria
– Source: Sewage, feedlots, paper-mills,
food processing
n Inorganic Chemicals
– Acids, Metals, Salts
– Sources: Surface runoff, Industrial
effluent, household cleansers
n Radioactive Materials
– Iodine, radon, uranium, cesium, thorium
– Source: Coal & Nuclear Power plants,
mining, weapons production, natural
n Plant Nutrients
– Nitrates, Phosphates,
– Source: Sewage, manure, agricultural and
landscaping runoff
n Organic Chemicals
– Oil, Gasoline, Plastics, Pesticides, Solvents,
detergents
– Sources: Industrial effluent, Household
cleansers, runoff from farms and yards
n Eroded Sediment
– Soil, Silt
n Heat/Thermal Pollution
– Source: Power plants, Industrial

7. 4: SOURCES OF WATER
POLLUTION

8. 4: SOURCES OF WATER
POLLUTION
I: NUTRIENTS POLLUTION:
Some waste water, 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.

9. 4: SOURCES OF WATER
POLLUTION
II: SURFACE WATER POLLUTION:
Surface water includes natural water found on the earth’s surface,
like river, 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.

10. 4: SOURCES OF WATER
POLLUTION
III: OXYGEN DEPLETING:
Water bodies have micro-organisms. These include aerobic and
anaerobic organisms. When too much biodegradable matter(things
that easily decay) end 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.

11. 4: SOURCES OF WATER
POLLUTION
IV: 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 water.

12. 4: SOURCES OF WATER
POLLUTION
V: 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.

13. 4: SOURCES OF WATER
POLLUTION
VI: 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.

14. 4: SOURCES OF WATER
POLLUTION
VII: CHEMICAL WATER POLLUTION:
Many industries and farmers work with chemicals that end up in
water. This is common with point source pollution. These include
chemicals that are used to control weeds, insect 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.

15. 4: SOURCES OF WATER
POLLUTION
VIII: OIL SPILLAGE:
Oil spills usually have only a localized effect on wildlife but can
spread for miles. The oil can cause the death to aquatic animals
and also reduce oxygen supplies within the water environment.

16. 4: SOURCES OF WATER
POLLUTION
IX: SEWAGE AND WASTE WATER:
It contains mineral and organic matter. About 75% water sewage,
domestic waste, and food processing plant cause pollutions. It also
includes human excretion, soaps, metals and garden waste etc.
domestic sewage contains traces of cr, mn, pb, hg, ni, and lot of
organic matter like salty, acid and amino acids etc.

17. 4: SOURCES OF WATER
POLLUTION
X: MINING ACTIVITIES:
Mining is the process of crushing the rock and extracting coal and
other minerals from underground. These elements when extracted
in the raw form contains harmful chemicals and can increase the
amount of toxic elements when mixed up with water which may
result in health problems.

18. 4: SOURCES OF WATER
POLLUTION
XI: RADIO ACTIVE:
Radio active wastes discharged by the nuclear plants pollutes the
seas, radio active substances of these wastes also spread
elsewhere from seas and can use cancer and damages to the
genetic material of the living organisms.

19. 4: SOURCES OF WATER
POLLUTION
XII: OCEAN AND MARINE DUMPING:
Again, think of the rubbish we all make each day. Paper waste,
food waste, plastic, rubber, metallic and aluminum waste. In some
countries, they are deposited into the sea. It causes becomes water
polluted.

20. 5: EFFECT OF WATER POLLUTION

21. 5: EFFECT OF WATER POLLUTION
I: DEATH OF AQUATIC ANIMALS:
The main problem caused by water pollution is that it kills life that
depends on these water bodies.

22. 5: EFFECT OF WATER POLLUTION
II: DISRUPTION OF FOOD CHAIN:
Pollution disrupts the natural food chain as well. Pollutants such as
lead and cadmium are eaten by tiny animals. Later, these animals
are consumed by fish and shellfish, and the food chain continues to
be disrupted at all levels.

23. 5: EFFECT OF WATER POLLUTION
III: DISEASES:
Eventually, humans are affected by this process as well. People can
get diseases such as hepatitis by eating seafood that has been
poisoned. In many poor nations, there is always outbreak of
cholera and diseases as a result of poor drinking water treatment
from contaminated waters.

24. 5: EFFECT OF WATER POLLUTION
IV: DESTRUCTION OF ECOSYSTEMS:
Ecosystems(the interaction of living things in a place, depending on
each other for life) can be severely changed or destroyed by water
pollution. Many areas are now being affected by careless human
pollution, and this pollution is coming back to hurt humans in
many ways.

25. 5: EFFECT OF WATER POLLUTION
V: OTHER EFFECTS:
üSewage contains oxdisable and fermentable materials which
causes depletion of dissolved oxygen in water.
üPresence of different solid metals and colloidal substances
increase the turbidity of water.
üExcess of nitrates to water causes serious diseases to children.

26. 5: CONTROL OF WATER
POLLUTION

27. 5: CONTROL OF WATER
POLLUTION
1. Sewage treatments:
The household water should be treated properly so that they
become environmentally safe. Adequate care should be taken to
ensure that effective sewage treatment process is in place and that
contaminated water does not get mixed with the environment. in
order to prevent water pollution, human and animal excreta
should be prevented from mixing with its sources. Construction of
pit toilet and proper sewage treatments can offer some solution to
this problem.

28. 5: CONTROL OF WATER
POLLUTION
2. Prevent river water to get polluted:
The flowing water of the river cannot be cleaned easily by natural
process. Since, a large number of external substances are
discharged into the water, the river water becomes polluted. This
may cause diseases to the people using river water. Thus, every
effort should be made to prevent the river water to get
contaminated. People should not be allowed to throw wastes into
the river water.

29. 5: CONTROL OF WATER
POLLUTION
3. Treatment of wastes before discharge:
Factories are expected to treat its effluent wastes prior to
discharge. Toxic material must be treated chemically and converted
into harmless materials. If possible, factories should try to recycle
the treated water.

30. 5: CONTROL OF WATER
POLLUTION
4. Strict adherence to water laws:
Laws and legislation relating to pollution should be strictly
followed by all. People should be made aware that adherence to
water laws are in their own interest.

31. 5: CONTROL OF WATER
POLLUTION
5. Treatment of drainage water:
It cities, a huge amount of water is put into drains every day. The
water that flows through the city drainage system should be
properly treated. Harmful pollutants be removed, before they are
introduced into reservoirs. If this water allowed going into water
reservoirs without treatment, it will pollute them.

32. 5: CONTROL OF WATER
POLLUTION
6. Treatment plants:
Big cities and towns usually have effluent treatment plants. These
plants filter out undissolved materials. Chemical treatment is also
given to separate out unwanted dissolved chemicals. The treated
water is either allowed to go into the water reservoirs or refused in
houses. Occasionally, the treated water is used for farming if the
fields to be irrigated lie in the vicinity of the water treatment
plants.

33. 5: CONTROL OF WATER
POLLUTION
7. Keep the pond water clean and safe:
Washing, bathing of cattle in the pond that is used by human
should not be done. Washing of dirty clothes and bathing of cattle
make the pond water dirty and unsuitable for human use. If these
ponds are continually misuses, then it may lead of severe
consequences.

34. 5: CONTROL OF WATER
POLLUTION
8. Routine cleaning:
Ponds, lakes and wells meant for human use should be routinely
cleaned and treated, so that it remains fit for human use. It is an
essential step that should not be avoided. A system of regular
testing of pond and lake water can be introduced to ensure the
safety of the water.

35. 5: CONTROL OF WATER
POLLUTION
9. Don’t pour insecticides in sinks and toilets:
Never pour household insecticides, medicines, etc. down the sink,
drain or toilet. At homes, people often throw wastes and old
medicines into the bathroom toilet. This practice is discouraged for
the reason that the chemical compounds of medicines, insecticides,
etc., when mixed with other chemicals, may result in formation of
harmful substances.

36. 5: CONTROL OF WATER
POLLUTION
10. Self hygiene:
Self hygiene must be maintained and drinking water must not be
polluted. Drinking water should be kept undercover in a clean
place. One should not put his hands into the drinking water
containers. Also, the practice of cleaning the drinking water
reservoirs on a regular basis need to be strictly followed. The water
meant for drinking should be purified prior to use. In the absence
of good water purifier, it is recommended to drink boiled water.
This is also important to prevent water borne diseases.

37. 5: CONTROL OF WATER
POLLUTION
11. Sanitation:
Sanitation system must be improved. The benefits of cleanliness
on human health need to be understood. Human contact with
hazardous materials should be prevented. After using the toilet,
one should always use the flush and wash their hands with soap
and water.

38. 5: CONTROL OF WATER
POLLUTION
12. Public Awareness:
Common public should be aware about the effect of water
pollution. Voluntary organization should go door-to-door to
educate the people about environmental problems. They should
perform street plays for creating awareness about the
environment. They should run environmental education centers.
Students can impart health education to enable people to prevent
water pollution.