According to World Water Council, 3900 children die every day due to waterborne diseases. Water pollution is one of the most offending environmental problems and is indicative of the misuse of the planet’s resources. Water pollution refers to any physical, chemical or biological change in water quality that adversely affects living organisms or makes it unsuitable for desired purposes. Waste water discharged from various sources contains many pollutants that create serious health hazards for humans.
Water Pollution Sources
Although there are some natural sources of water contamination such as poison springs and oil seeps, the most hazardous pollutants usually originate from human-caused changes in the quality of water. Sources of water pollution are frequently identified as point sources and non-point sources.
Point sources discharge pollutants from specific locations such as drain pipes, ditches or sewer outfalls. Since they are discrete and identifiable, it is easier to monitor and regulate them. Additionally, they can be easily diverted and the effluents can be treated before the waste stream enters the environment.
Non-point sources, on the contrary, are scattered and diffused and do not have a specific origin. Examples include runoff water from farm fields, golf courses, lawns and gardens, construction sites, logging areas, roads and parking lots. Due to their multiple origins, they are difficult to monitor or regulate and wastes are relatively difficult to treat.
Industrial processes like mining, leather tanning, metal plating and smelting, and petroleum distillation release byproducts that add acidic substances to the water reservoirs. Similarly, some of the organic compounds released during synthesis of industrial products such as pesticides, plastics, pharmaceuticals and pigments are highly toxic and pose grave risk to human health.
Water Pollution Effects
Contamination of water bodies by pollutants poses severe threats to human health. Low concentrations of some natural and synthetic organic compounds present in residential water can cause birth defects, genetic disorders and cancer. Some synthetic chemicals are degradation resistant and can stay in ground and surface water for several years affecting many consumers.
Human infectious diseases are among the most serious consequences of water pollution, especially in developing countries, where sanitation may be inadequate or non-existent. Waterborne diseases occur when parasites or other disease-causing microorganisms are spread via contaminated water. The resulting diseases include typhoid, intestinal parasites, and most of the enteric and diarrheal diseases caused by bacteria, parasites, and viruses.
Although oceans carry huge volumes of water, ocean pollution has also emerged as a challenge in recent years. Coastal areas are mostly affected by human activities. Every year, million of tons of plastic and discarded fishing nets entangle aquatic organisms, dooming them to slow death. Similarly, chemical pollutants added to oceans through oil spills, industrial wastes and agricultural runoff kill fish and shellfish and thus harm whole aquatic ecosystems.
Thames River Cleanup
Although water pollution has been raised to threatening levels due to human activities, some commendable efforts have also been demonstrated. A triumphant example is that of Thames, England.
After industrial revolution, the Thames river of London became an easy drain for toxic wastes from domestic and industrial sewers. However, in 1950, England carried out a massive cleanup funded by millions of dollars contributed by both public and industrial communities. In the 1980s, the river showed a remarkable improvement and 95 fish species including pollution-sensitive salmon returned to the river.
Controlling Water Pollution
Water is one of the most significant resources of planet earth. Wastes released by residences, commercial establishments, industries and agricultural farms contaminate ground and surface water reservoirs, causing diseases like cancer, typhoid and other intestinal disorders. Moreover, pollutants released into oceans destroy aquatic organisms and damage their ecosystems. The problem of contaminated water is huge; however, effective control and cleanup strategies can show positive results similar to Thames river cleanup.
References:
2003, Environmental Encyclopedia. Gale Group Inc.
"Water Crisis." World Water Council worldwatercouncil Accessed Aug 2010
Zeeshan Amin - I am a professional mechanical engineer with a diverse experience of over 5 years with Honda Cars, Shell Oil and Nestle.
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