Water Pollution...Huh?

What is Water Pollution?

Water pollution is defined in more ways than one. Usually, it means that one or more substances that have been built up in water bodies such as lakes, rivers, oceans and groundwater to an extent such that it cause problems and are harmful to organisms and plants. Usually, the substances built up in the water bodies, known as pollutants, are caused by human activities. This pollutants are discharged into water bodies with little or no treatment to it first. The pollutants could very quickly have an effect on the quality of the water in the water bodies. This affect the health of all the plants, animals, and humans whose lives depend on the river.

Simply put, when water in the water bodies are unfit for intended uses, water is considered polluted.

Point Source and Non-Point Source of Water Pollution

Point Source Pollution

Point source pollution refers to pollutants that enter the water bodies directly. The main sources are usually discharges from sewage and industries. Sewage contains human wastes and water that has been used for many uses, including bathing and washing of clothes. Industry puts three to four more times as many pollutants into water as all of our sewage systems do. Point source pollution can be monitored and controlled with technology, however, political issues can complicate things.
Non-Point Source Pollution

Non-point source pollution refers to contamination that does not originate from a single source. It is often a cumulative effect of small amounts of pollutants gathered from a large area through environmental changes. Some farmers use chemical fertilizer to help thier crops grow faster. Pesticides are also use to kill pests such as insects and weeds. Non-point source pollution occurs when rainwater carry these chemicals into streams, rivers and lakes, in turn affects aquatic life as those chemicals are harmful to the aquatic life. Non-point sources are much more difficult to monitor and control than point source pollution. Streams, rivers and lakes that are polluted are ususally the cause of non-point source pollution.

Simply put, anything that is not part of the water bodies, should stay out of the water.


Variety of Pollutants

Municipal Waste

Municipal waste refers to household waste or domestic waste, and are usually waste materials left from household sources that have not been separated out or sent for reprocessing. There are 5 main types of waste namely, Biodegradable waste, Recyclable, Inert waste, Composite waste and Domestic Hazardous waste. Although today the disposal of Municipal waste is by landfilling or landspreading, some of the waste are disposed through water bodies.

Industrial Waste

Industrial wastes are waste created from industry such as factories and power plants. Industrial waste are contains some of the most hazardeous waste, including Mercury, a toxic heavy metal which, when ingested, can cause serious neurological damage, particularly to developing fetuses, infants and children. Cadmium, produced by industries and mining which are very dangerous even in minute amounts, and Lead, when exposed may cause neurological impairments such as seizures, mental retardations and behavioral disorders.

Simply put, you do not want any pollutants in your water.

Now that we know more about water pollution, it is time to tackle the research question. On my next post, I will be talking about the effects of polluted water.