Water pollution || source of water pollution || Effects

Water Pollution: 

          Life without water is unimaginable. Water is an important factor, which covers two thirds of the earth's surface and represents the present circulation system of our planet. Out of this 70.7%, only 0.052% is fresh water. About 97% is sea water. Water is said to be contaminated/polluted, when it contains infective and parasitic agents, poisonous chemical substances, industrial or other wastes or sewage. In legal sense, pollution of water means a departure from a normal sense. The expression 'normal sense' denotes unaffected or least affected physical and biological conditions of water for human activities.

   When the quality or composition of water changes directly or indirectly as a result of man's activities such that it becomes unfit for any purpose it is said to be polluted. Water pollution is the contamination of water by foreign matter such as micro-organisms, chemicals, and industrial or other wastes, or sewage.

The word 'pollution' in the context of water is derived from the Latin word "pollutes". 'Pol' means before the 'latus' means "washed". So, the word, 'pollutus' collectively means "before washing" i.e. unclean. Therefore the expression 'water pollution' denotes "an act of contamination or making foul, the natural bodies of water, rendering the water unfit for use."null-in land

  Water pollution has been defined as "the change in the composition of water in such a way, that it becomes not only unsafe but also unwholesome for human consumption". Water-pollution today has been considered as one of the major problems of the world and the states (nations) were directed to pass appropriate legislations to prevent the water-pollution. Therefore the Indian Parliament passed the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

Sources of Water Pollution: 

The main cause of water pollution is the discharge of solid or liquid waste products containing pollutants. They are:

ii) domestic and commercial wastes; Industrial Wastes

iii) agricultural wastes;

iv) air-pollution

v) chemical substances;

vi) thermal wastes;

vii) radioactive substances;

viii) suspended matters etc.

Effects: 

Water pollution causes deleterious effects on the environment, which includes public health and safety, plants and animal

life, land, property etc. The extent of water pollution in India is very obvious since all the 14 major rivers are highly polluted. It is estimated that more than 60 per cent of the diseases in India are due to the pollution of water.