Water pollution occurs when harmful substances contaminate water bodies, making the water unsafe for drinking, domestic use, agriculture, or aquatic life. Identifying the major sources and implementing control measures is essential for ensuring safe and clean drinking water.
1. Major Sources of Water Pollution
a) Domestic Sewage
- Untreated household wastewater containing soaps, detergents, and human waste.
- Common in areas with poor sewage systems.
b) Industrial Waste
- Discharge of chemicals, heavy metals, and toxic substances from factories into rivers and lakes.
- Leads to serious contamination and health risks.
c) Agricultural Runoff
- Use of fertilizers, pesticides, and insecticides in fields washes into nearby water bodies.
- Causes eutrophication and chemical pollution.
d) Solid Waste and Plastics
- Dumping of plastics, garbage, and non-biodegradable waste into water bodies.
- Blocks drainage, harms aquatic life, and degrades water quality.
e) Oil Spills and Fuel Leaks
- From ships, vehicles, or storage facilities contaminating both surface and groundwater.
f) Mining and Construction Activities
- Release silt, heavy metals, and pollutants into water sources.
g) Thermal Pollution
- Discharge of hot water from power plants and industries increases water temperature, affecting aquatic ecosystems.
2. Control Measures for Ensuring Safe Drinking Water
a) Proper Sewage Treatment
- Install sewage treatment plants (STPs) to treat domestic wastewater before releasing it into water bodies.
b) Industrial Waste Treatment
- Enforce strict rules for industries to use Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs).
- Monitor and regulate discharge limits.
c) Sustainable Farming Practices
- Promote organic farming, controlled use of fertilizers and pesticides.
- Encourage buffer zones and vegetative barriers to filter runoff.
d) Waste Management
- Implement solid waste management systems.
- Ban single-use plastics and promote recycling and composting.
e) Public Awareness and Education
- Educate communities about the effects of water pollution and importance of conservation.
f) Water Purification Technologies
- Use filtration, UV treatment, chlorination, and reverse osmosis (RO) to treat drinking water.
g) Legislation and Monitoring
- Enforce laws like the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
- Regular water quality monitoring by government bodies (like CPCB and State Boards).