Helena Joyce
Water pollution is a pressing global issue with far-reaching consequences. Unsafe water is responsible for more deaths annually than war and violence combined, and with finite drinkable water sources, the demand for freshwater is expected to increase by a third by 2050. Water pollution arises from various sources, including agricultural runoff, industrial waste, sewage, and plastic litter, leading to contaminated water that poses significant risks to both human health and the environment. The impact of water pollution is felt globally, from the degradation of freshwater ecosystems to the bioaccumulation of toxic chemicals in marine life, with economic implications that are yet to be fully understood. Addressing water pollution is crucial to safeguard human health, sustain freshwater resources, and mitigate the climate damages caused by eutrophication and greenhouse gas emissions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Global Impact | More than 2 billion people drink water contaminated by faeces and disease-carrying bacteria and viruses |
| More than 80% of untreated sewage in developing countries contaminates creeks, rivers, lakes and coastal areas | |
| Water pollution causes an estimated 7.4 million deaths worldwide each year | |
| An additional 1 million deaths occur due to direct contact with toxic chemicals | |
| Diarrhoea caused 8.6% of deaths of children under 5 in 2015 | |
| Mercury in oceans is dangerous for small children and pregnant or nursing women due to interference with brain development | |
| Oceans absorb about a quarter of carbon pollution, becoming more acidic and making it harder for shellfish and other species to build shells | |
| Water pollution is caused by microbial pathogens, nutrients from fertilisers, heavy metals, chemicals, litter, heat, and more | |
| Point sources of water pollution include factories, sewage pipes, and specific spills | |
| Non-point sources of water pollution include agricultural runoff, flooding, and oil spills |
What You'll Learn
Human health
Water is an essential resource for human survival, and clean water is crucial for manufacturing, social and economic development, and energy production. However, water pollution, caused primarily by human activities, is endangering the health of millions worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines polluted water as water whose composition has been altered to the extent that it becomes unusable.
Water pollution can have severe impacts on human health, causing various infections and health problems. One of the most common consequences is diarrheal diseases, which claim the lives of over two million people annually, with children being the most vulnerable. Unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation are the leading causes of almost 90% of these deaths. According to the United Nations, more than 50 types of diseases are caused by poor drinking water quality, and it is linked to 80% of diseases and 50% of child deaths worldwide.
Contaminated water can harbor dangerous bacteria and viruses, leading to diseases such as cholera, dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis A, and polio. It is also a significant source of chemical toxins, including pesticides, fertilizers, and heavy metals, which can cause serious health issues if ingested. These chemical pollutants can lead to health problems such as cancer and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, the presence of microplastics in drinking water or seafood can result in oxidative stress, inflammatory reactions, and metabolic disorders in humans.
The impact of water pollution on human health is particularly severe in developing countries, where inadequate sanitation and wastewater management systems contaminate drinking water sources. This issue is further exacerbated by climate change, increasing water scarcity, population growth, and urbanization, which pose significant challenges to water supply systems. More than two billion people live in water-stressed countries, and this number is expected to grow due to the projected increase in global freshwater demand by 2050.
To address the health risks associated with water pollution, governments must strengthen water intervention management and implement measures to improve water quality. This includes reducing the use of chemical pesticides and nutrients, properly treating wastewater, and restricting the use of single-use plastics to prevent plastic pollution in water bodies. Additionally, improving water supply and sanitation, and effectively managing water resources, can positively impact public health and contribute to economic growth and poverty reduction.
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Animal and environmental health
Water pollution has a detrimental impact on animal and environmental health. It refers to the contamination of water bodies, such as rivers, lakes, and oceans, due to human activities. These activities include industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, urban and stormwater runoff, sewage, wastewater, oil pollution, and radioactive substances. The primary sources of these pollutants are factories, farms, and urban areas.
The environmental impact of water pollution is significant. It disrupts aquatic ecosystems, reduces biodiversity, and degrades water quality. Contaminants such as heavy metals, toxic sludge, and chemical compounds released by industries can have long-lasting effects on the environment. For example, mercury, a toxic heavy metal, can accumulate in large predator fish such as walleye and trout, leading to high mercury levels in the fish and the surrounding water. This, in turn, poses risks to the people and wildlife that consume these fish.
Agricultural activities also contribute to water pollution through the overuse of pesticides and fertilizers, which can run off into nearby water bodies. This can lead to nutrient pollution, causing algal blooms that are harmful to both people and wildlife. Antibiotics, vaccines, growth promoters, and hormones used in agriculture can also reach water bodies, impacting the health of aquatic ecosystems.
Sewage is another major contributor to water pollution. It can promote algae growth, leading to eutrophic "dead zones" where aquatic life cannot survive due to a lack of oxygen. More than 80% of the world's wastewater flows back into the environment without proper treatment, according to the United Nations. This untreated wastewater contains harmful substances such as metals, solvents, toxic sludge, and chemicals, which can have detrimental effects on aquatic life and the environment.
Water pollution also has indirect effects on animal and environmental health. For example, pollutants can accumulate in the tissues of plants, animals, and people, passing from one species to another through the food chain. This can lead to a build-up of toxins in the environment and harm the delicate balance of the biological food web.
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Water scarcity
To address water scarcity, integrated water resources management (IWRM) is essential. IWRM helps balance the needs of communities, the economy, and the environment. This includes improving water infrastructure, reducing water contamination and leakage, promoting wastewater reuse, and exploring sustainable groundwater use. Climate-resilient water sources, rainwater harvesting, and managed aquifer recharge are also important strategies for adapting to water scarcity.
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Global warming
Water and climate change are inextricably linked. Global warming is altering nearly every stage of the water cycle, from unpredictable rainfall patterns to shrinking ice sheets, rising sea levels, floods, and droughts. These changes put pressure on drinking water supplies, food production, and property values worldwide.
Firstly, global warming is causing rising temperatures, which disrupt precipitation patterns. This leads to more unpredictable rainfall, with some areas receiving less snowfall and others experiencing heavier downpours and intense rainfall. The decrease in snowfall results in less water being stored as snowpack, impacting drinking water supplies and agriculture. For example, California's declining snowpack levels have contributed to long-term droughts and water shortages, affecting both residents and the agricultural sector.
Secondly, global warming contributes to the increase in extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts. Flooding, along with rising sea levels, can contaminate land and water resources with saltwater or faecal matter. It can also damage water and sanitation infrastructure, including water points, wells, toilets, and wastewater treatment facilities. In addition, as mentioned earlier, heavier rainfall can increase surface runoff, where water flows over the ground, picking up pollutants, dirt, and other contaminants, flushing them into nearby bodies of water, and ultimately polluting water supplies.
Thirdly, global warming exacerbates water scarcity. About two billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water, and climate change is expected to increase this number. As temperatures rise, more water evaporates from the land, leading to more intense dry spells and water scarcity. This scarcity is further compounded by the increased demand for water due to population growth.
Finally, global warming impacts water quality. Higher water temperatures can promote the growth of algae and microbes in water bodies, leading to harmful algal blooms (HABs). These blooms can clog waterways, block sunlight from reaching underwater life, diminish oxygen levels, and release toxins that can kill aquatic life and make people sick. Climate change also increases the frequency and severity of these algal blooms, further threatening water sources and increasing the need for drinking water treatment.
Overall, the complex relationship between water and global warming has far-reaching consequences, affecting ecosystems, agriculture, human health, and water security worldwide.
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Point and non-point sources
Water pollution has a significant impact on the environment and human health worldwide. It is essential to understand the sources of water pollution to address this issue effectively. Water pollution can be classified into two main categories: point sources and non-point sources.
Point sources refer to specific and identifiable locations from which pollutants are discharged directly into water bodies. These sources include factories, sewage pipes, pipelines, containers, and leaking septic systems. Point sources are regulated and can be controlled through legislation, regulation, monitoring, and treatment facilities. However, they remain a significant source of water pollution in many countries, with an estimated 2 billion people worldwide consuming water contaminated by faeces due to a lack of sewage control systems.
Non-point sources, on the other hand, are more challenging to identify and address as they originate from diffuse sources. One of the primary contributors to non-point source pollution is runoff from urban, suburban, and agricultural areas. This includes sediment, such as soil particles from construction sites, stream banks, cropland, or residential renovation, which can turn the water cloudy, hindering fish's ability to feed and breathe. Nutrient pollution, primarily from manure, pet waste, failed septic systems, and overuse of fertilizers, is another significant non-point source pollutant. These nutrients cause excessive aquatic plant growth, leading to eutrophication and oxygen depletion in water bodies when the plants decompose.
Litter, especially plastic, is an increasing concern in water pollution. Plastics can physically harm animals through tangling and choking and introduce toxins into the ecosystem as they decompose. Additionally, chemicals from roads and industries, heavy metals like arsenic and mercury, and microbial pathogens (disease-causing bacteria and viruses) contribute to water pollution, with severe health consequences for humans, especially in developing countries with inadequate sanitation and medical facilities.
The impact of water pollution is far-reaching, and it is crucial to take action to protect and restore freshwater ecosystems and water resources. Understanding the sources of pollution, such as point and non-point sources, is a critical step in mitigating the global impact of water pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
Water pollution has a detrimental impact on human health. It is estimated that water, air, and land pollution cause 7.4 million deaths worldwide each year, with an additional 1 million deaths caused by direct contact with toxic chemicals. Unsafe water kills more people annually than war and all other forms of violence combined. Diarrheal diseases, cholera, giardia, and typhus are common in areas with poor water quality and sanitation. Water pollution also causes bioaccumulation, where toxic heavy metals contaminate fish and shellfish, exposing consumers to dangerous chemicals.
Water pollution has severe environmental consequences. Our rivers, reservoirs, lakes, and seas are filled with chemicals, waste, plastic, and other pollutants. Nutrient pollution, caused by excess nitrogen and phosphorus, leads to oxygen-depleted aquatic environments, destroying ecosystems. It also results in toxic algal blooms, which harm both people and wildlife. Water pollution contributes to ocean acidification, making it difficult for shellfish and coral to survive and potentially impacting the nervous systems of marine life.
Addressing water pollution requires collective efforts at the individual, governmental, and international levels. Individuals can learn about the unique water qualities in their area and take actions to reduce their contribution to water contamination. Governments should strengthen water intervention management and implement measures to improve water quality. International organizations, such as the UNEP, collaborate with governments, businesses, and individuals to protect and restore freshwater ecosystems.
