Water Pollution

Water is one of the prime necessities of life. With increasing number of people depend on this resource;water has become a scarce commodity.

Pollution makes even the limited available water unfit for use.

Water is said to be polluted when there is any physical, biological or chemical change in water quality that adversely affects living organisms or makes water unsuitable for use.

Sources of water pollution are mainly factories, power plants, coal mines and oil wells situated either close to water source or away from sources.

They discharge pollutants directly or indirectly into the water sources like river, lakes, water streams etc.

The harmful effects of water pollution are:

a) Human beings become victimsof various water borne diseases, such as typhoid, cholera, dysentery, hepatitis, jaundice, etc.

b) The presence of acids/alkalies in water destroys the microorganisms, thereby hindering the self-purification process in the rivers or water bodies.

Agriculture is affected badly due to polluted water. Marine eco-systems are affected adversely.

C) The sewage waste promotes growth of phytoplankton in waterbodies; causing reduction of dissolved oxygen.

D) Poisonous industrial wastes present in water bodies affect the fish population and deprives us of one of our sources of food. It also kills other animals living infresh water.

E) The quality of underground water is also affected due to toxicity and pollutant content of surface water.