Water pollution

BY K.Sujit Kumar

The importance of water

80% of the human body is made up of water. Water is crucial element of our food and materials 75% of the earths surface is covered with water. only 3%, is fresh. Only1% of the water is available for human consumption. Much of this water contain chemicals making it inappropriate for human consumption. On average we have sufficient water to meet human needs. The problem is water distribution.

Causes of Water Pollution

There are two primary causes of water pollution:

-Through nature -Through people

Naturally occurring events such as volcanic eruptions, landslides, floods and wild animal wastes, can produce polluting materials. These pollutants can wash into lakes, rivers and other streams and damage water quality

people cause most water pollution. People cause water pollution through carelessness or lack of knowledge. Farms, factories, automobiles and even our homes are potential sources of pollutants.

Water supply

Acute shortage Adequate supply Shortage Metropolitan regions with population greater than 1 million

Pollution of Lakes

Groundwater Pollution: Causes

Low flow rates Low oxygen Few bacteria Cold temperatures
Hazardous waste injection well Pesticides Coal strip mine runoff

De-icing road salt

Pumping well Waste lagoon Gasoline station Water pumping well Landfill

Buried gasoline and solvent tank Cesspool septic tank

Sewer Leakage from faulty casing Discharge Confined aquifer Groundwater flow

Accidental spills

Ocean Pollution

Oil Spills
Sources: offshore wells, tankers, pipelines and storage tanks

Effects: death of organisms, loss of animal insulation and buoyancy, smothering

Significant economic impacts Mechanical cleanup methods: skimmers and blotters Chemical cleanup methods: coagulants and dispersing agents

Sewage Treatment

Technological Approach: Septic Systems

Solutions Coastal Water Pollution

Prevention Cleanup

Reduce input of toxic pollutants

Separate sewage and storm lines Ban dumping of wastes and sewage ships in coastal waters
Ban ocean dumping of sludge and hazardous dredged material

Improve oil-spill cleanup capabilities Sprinkle nanoparticles over an oil or sewage spill to dissolve the oil or sewage without creating harmful byproducts (still under development) Require at least secondary treatment of coastal sewage

Protect sensitive areas from development, oil drilling, and oil shipping
Regulate coastal development Recycle used oil

Require double hulls for oil tankers

Solutions of Water Pollution Prevent groundwater contamination Reuse treated wastewater for irrigation Find substitutes for toxic pollutants Work with nature to treat sewage

Reduce resource waste

Reduce air pollution Reduce poverty

Reduce birth rates