Water Pollution!

Sewage are solid or liquid waste that is produced my households or industries. When sewage is not treated before it is released into rivers or lakes, these water bodies get polluted because sewage contains human waste, detergent, and chemicals. Although at some countries, sewage are being treated before being released into water bodies, some of the substances found in sewage are non-biodegradabe. Thus, these harmful substances will still remain in the water causing water pollution.

Industrial waste are waste produced by industries in the manufacturing stage. Industrial waste are extremely harmful as it usually contains large amounts of toxic chemicals. These waste are sometimes illegally disposed into rivers or seas, resulting in heavy water pollution.

Oil spills can occur when the hull of an oil tanker is torn by sharp rocks or if the tanker collides with another ship, resulting in the oil it is carrying to spill into the sea. It is very difficult to clean up oil spills as they spread over large areas, thus causing water pollution.

1. Conserve water by turning o.ff the tap when running water is not necessary. This helps prevent water shortages and reduces the amount of contaminated water that needs treatment.2. Be careful about what you throw down your sink or toilet. Don’t throw paints, oils or other forms of litter down the drain.3. Take great care not to overuse pesticides and fertilisers. This will prevent runoffs of the material into nearby water sources.4. Don’t throw litter into rivers, lakes or oceans. Help clean up any litter you see on beaches or in rivers and lakes, make sure it is safe to collect the litter and put it in a nearby dustbin.

Water pollution occurs when pollutants are discharged into water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and sea.

Water pollution will lead to endangering of plant and animal species. For example, Oils spills can endanger the lives animals as when a layer of oil spreads over the water surface during an oil spill, sea birds and sea mammals that comes into contact with the polluted water will get their feathers or fur stuck together with oil. This removes the air trapped by feathers and fur, which functions as a layer of insulation for the animals, causing them to freeze to death in the cold. The oil also clogs the birds' feathers, preventing them from flying or floating on the water. Thus, resulting in many birds drowning.

Water pollution caused by improper disposal of waste affects people negatively. Poison in industrial wase can accumulate in the bodies of fish and shellfish. These poison can be passed on to us when we consume the contaminated animals. People may also suffer from cholera and typhoid when they drink contaminated water.

Water pollution affects the economy as well. Oil spills threaten fishermen's livelihood as well as the fishing industry. Also, when the spilled oil reaches a tourist resort along a coast and dirties the beach, it makes it unattractive to tourists. Cleaning up oil spills also requires huge effort and is very costly, as oil spills can spread over a large area and is not easily broken down.