Sources Of Water Pollution: Apex's Environmental Concerns

Water pollution is caused by a variety of factors, including industrial waste, agricultural processes, and sewage. Industries and industrial sites are a major contributor to water pollution, as they produce waste in the form of toxic chemicals and pollutants. Agricultural processes such as the uncontrolled spreading of slurries and manures, as well as tillage and ploughing, can also cause water pollution. Sewage and wastewater from sinks, showers, and toilets can contain harmful chemicals and bacteria, which can flow back into the environment without proper treatment.

Industrial waste

Agricultural sites, mines and manufacturing plants are among the industries that produce toxic industrial waste. This waste can make its way into rivers, streams and other bodies of water that lead directly to the sea. The toxic chemicals in the waste not only have the potential to make water unsafe for human consumption, they can also cause the temperature in freshwater systems to change.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says that polluted water is water whose composition has been changed to the extent that it is unusable. In other words, it is toxic water that cannot be drunk or used for essential purposes like agriculture, and which also causes diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid and poliomyelitis that kill more than 500,000 people worldwide every year.

Agricultural waste

Water pollution is defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as water that has been changed in composition to the extent that it is unusable. Water pollution can be caused by a variety of factors, including agricultural waste.

Agricultural activities also produce wastewater, which can contain metals, solvents, and toxic sludge. This wastewater is released into freshwater systems, where it can contaminate drinking water supplies. Industrial waste from agricultural sites can also make its way into rivers, streams, and other bodies of water, leading directly to the sea. The toxic chemicals in this waste can make water unsafe for human consumption and can also cause changes in the temperature of freshwater systems.

Pathogens and bacteria found in agricultural wastewater can breed diseases, causing health issues in humans and animals. These include diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and poliomyelitis, which kill more than 500,000 people worldwide every year.

To reduce water pollution from agricultural waste, proper waste management systems must be implemented. This includes treating wastewater properly to remove harmful chemicals, bacteria, and pathogens before releasing it into freshwater systems.

Sewage and wastewater

Used water is wastewater. It comes from our sinks, showers, and toilets (sewage) and from commercial, industrial, and agricultural activities. Industrial wastewater contains toxic chemicals and pollutants that can easily contaminate freshwater systems. Although regulated, some industrial sites do not have proper waste management systems in place, and in rare cases, industrial waste is dumped directly into nearby freshwater systems. When industrial waste is not treated properly, it can pollute the freshwater systems it comes into contact with.

Agricultural wastewater also contributes to water pollution. Every time it rains, fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste from farms and livestock operations wash nutrients and pathogens—such as bacteria and viruses—into our waterways. Nutrient pollution, caused by excess nitrogen and phosphorus in water or air, is the number-one threat to water quality worldwide. It can cause algal blooms, a toxic soup of blue-green algae that can be harmful to people and wildlife.

Oil spills and leaks

Oil spills can occur due to a variety of reasons, such as accidents involving oil tankers, pipelines, or offshore drilling rigs. They can also happen during the transportation of oil, when ships or pipelines carrying oil may experience leaks or ruptures, releasing oil into the surrounding water. In addition, natural disasters like hurricanes or tsunamis can cause oil spills by damaging oil-related infrastructure.

The impact of oil spills on the environment can be severe. Oil can coat the surface of the water, forming a thick layer that prevents oxygen from entering the water and blocking sunlight from reaching aquatic plants and algae. This can lead to a decrease in oxygen levels in the water, affecting aquatic life and disrupting the entire ecosystem. Oil can also contaminate sediments at the bottom of water bodies, impacting bottom-dwelling organisms and the food chain.

Oil is toxic to many organisms, and even small amounts can have harmful effects. It can cause physiological damage, impairing the reproductive and immune systems of aquatic life. Birds and marine mammals are particularly vulnerable, as oil can coat their feathers or fur, reducing their insulation and water-repelling properties. This can lead to hypothermia and make it difficult for them to move, feed, or fly, ultimately resulting in death.

To prevent and mitigate the impacts of oil spills, various measures can be taken. These include implementing stricter regulations and safety protocols in the oil industry, improving spill response and cleanup technologies, and promoting the development of alternative energy sources to reduce our reliance on oil. By taking proactive steps, we can help protect our water resources and the diverse ecosystems that depend on them.

Fertilisers and pesticides

The use of fertilisers and pesticides in agriculture is a significant source of water pollution. These chemicals can run off fields and into nearby waterways, contaminating drinking water sources and harming aquatic life. Excessive use of fertilisers can lead to nutrient pollution, causing an overgrowth of algae and other aquatic plants. This can deplete oxygen levels in the water, creating "dead zones" where fish and other organisms cannot survive.

Pesticides are designed to kill insects and other pests, but they can also be harmful to beneficial insects, fish, and other wildlife. When pesticides are applied to crops, they can wash into nearby streams and rivers, or seep into groundwater. Even low levels of pesticides in water can be harmful to aquatic life, and they can also contaminate drinking water supplies.

To reduce water pollution from fertilisers and pesticides, it is important to promote sustainable agricultural practices, such as organic farming methods that minimise the use of synthetic chemicals. It is also crucial to properly manage and dispose of agricultural waste, and to implement effective wastewater treatment systems that can remove these pollutants from water before it is released back into the environment.

Frequently asked questions