Introduction to Water pollution and Bangladesh perspective (Buriganga Water pollution). Water pollution is the contamination of ground water and surface water, mainly by human activities which change the physical and chemical characteristics of water. Bangladesh is vulnerable to water pollution.

1. Welcome
Introduction to Water pollution
ER18001
Department of Environmental Science & Resource Management
Mawlana Bhashani Science & Technology University.

2. Water pollution
 contamination of water
 degradation of water quality
 modification of natural features of water
 change in physical and chemical properties of water
 unusable for drinking, cooking, cleaning and other purposes
 contaminants can be trace metals, micro-organisms like coliforms, organic
and inorganic pollutants
 creating adverse effect on human as well as environment

3. Sources of water pollution
1.Natural sources:
 arsenic, fluoride
 volcanic eruption
 earthquakes
2.Anthropogenic sources:
 untreated industrial effluents
 improper disposal of domestic waste
 agricultural runoff
 oil tanker accidents

4. Water Pollution in Bangladesh
Bangladesh has plentiful water resources ( both ground and surface water).Being
a riparian country, consisting of more than 230 large and small river. About 97% of
the total population has access to water.
But this water is being polluted by various contaminants like toxic metals,
chemicals, sewage , industrial waste etc. Most of the ground water also contain
an elevated amount of arsenic throughout the country. According to a report
about 8.5% of the total dead in Bangladesh caused by water, sanitation and
hygiene related issues.
Unplanned sewerage and industrialization are also driving factors of water
pollution in Bangladesh. Textile, tannery, are introducing heavy metal into water
by their effluent discharge.

5. Effects of water pollution
 waterborne diseases
 destruction of biodiversity
 scarcity of drinking water
 habitat loss of aquatic organisms
 contamination of food chain
 eutrophication
 arsenic poisoning
 reduction in fish production
 economic loss

6. Water pollution in Buriganga’s
The Buriganga is the river in Bangladesh flowing southwest outskirts of the
capital city Dhaka. Buriganga is not important for providing vital ecological
function but also for drinking water supply, transportation, washing, cleaning,
recreation, ground water recharge, flood control etc. Once it was the main water
supply source in Dhaka city. But today the Buriganga river is afflicted by the
serious problem of pollution.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), the Buriganga is one of the most
polluted rivers in the world. This is caused by the over 60000 cubic metres of
toxic waste dumped by the city into its waters every day. Huge quantities of
toxic chemicals and wastes from mills and factories, hospitals and clinics and
households and other establishments are dumped into the river every day. The
industrial waste and approximately 80 percent of the city’s sewage are released
directly into the river, making much of the Buriganga biologically dead. The river
has become so polluted that the water has turned black and thick like glue. Their
can hardly be any microorganism in this water.

7. Control measures for water pollution
 Proper treatment of industrial effluents (ETP)
 Sewage treatment
 Proper sanitation system
 Bio-remediation (Water hyacinth)
 Chemical treatments ( precipitation, ion exchange, reverse osmosis and
coagulation etc)
 Planned urbanization and drainage system
 Awareness building

8. Conclusion
British poet W. H. Auden once noted that
“ Thousand have lived without love, not one without water.”
Water is the source of life in earth. It is the universal solvent which also regulate
body function and temperatures. Clean freshwater is necessary for drinking and
sanitation, providing for our crops, livestock and industry, creating and sustaining
the ecosystems on which all life depends.
Preventing water pollution and conserving water are important to assure a
continuing abundance of water that is safe to use for ourselves and future
generations. So we should try to reduce water pollution and maximaize the re-
use of water.

9. Thank you