Concerns for Human Health and Ecosystems
The concern over water pollution is driven by its wide-ranging adverse effects on human and ecological health, underpinning the need for stringent pollution control and sustainable management practices to safeguard water quality. Impacts on Human Health Diseases and Infections: Contaminated water can harbour pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Drinking or coming into contact with polluted water can lead to diseases like cholera, typhoid fever, hepatitis, and giardiasis, among others. Toxic Substances: Chemical pollutants such as heavy metals (e.g., lead, mercury, arsenic), pesticides, and industrial chemicals can accumulate in water bodies. These substances can be toxic to humans, causing acute poisoning or chronic conditions such as cancer, liver and kidney damage, and neurological disorders. Developmental and Reproductive Issues: Certain chemicals found in polluted water, such as endocrine disruptors, can interfere with the hormonal systems of humans, potentially leading to reproductive health problems, developmental issues in children, and intergenerational health effects. Disruption of Water Supplies: Pollution can render water sources undrinkable, leading to a scarcity of potable water. This can force populations to use contaminated sources or expend significant resources on water purification. Impacts on Ecosystems Biodiversity Loss: Water pollution can lead to the death of aquatic life forms by creating hypoxic (low oxygen) environments, altering habitats, or directly poisoning organisms. This results in reduced biodiversity and the disruption of entire aquatic ecosystems. Algal Blooms: Nutrient pollution, primarily from agricultural runoff containing fertilizers, can cause excessive growth of algae in water bodies. These blooms can deplete oxygen in the water, leading to dead zones where aquatic life cannot survive. Algal toxins can also be harmful to wildlife and humans. Food Chain Disruption: Contaminants in water can accumulate in the tissues of aquatic organisms, a process known as bioaccumulation. Predators that eat these contaminated organisms can suffer from biomagnification, where the concentration of toxins increases up the food chain, affecting a wide range of species, including humans. Habitat Degradation: Pollution can physically alter aquatic environments, for example through sedimentation that can smother aquatic plants and disrupt spawning grounds, altering the natural flow and health of ecosystems. Economic and Social Impact Economic Costs: Cleaning polluted water bodies, treating health conditions related to pollution, and the loss of ecosystem services (like fishing and tourism) can impose significant economic burdens on communities and governments. Social Strife: Water pollution can exacerbate water scarcity, leading to conflicts over water use, displacement of communities, and heightened social tensions.
Water Pollutants
The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies several key water pollutants that can have significant implications for public health. Addressing these water pollutants is crucial to ensure the safety and quality of drinking water, prevent waterborne diseases, and protect the overall well-being of communities. WHO sets guidelines for these pollutants to guide water quality management and regulatory efforts globally. While the WHO primarily focuses on major water pollutants due to their significant impact on public health, there are other water pollutants that can also influence water quality. It's important to note that the significance of non-major water pollutants may vary based on local conditions, sources, and specific environmental factors. Comprehensive water quality management involves monitoring and addressing a broad range of pollutants to safeguard ecosystems and human health.
MAJOR WATER POLLUTANTS Microbial Pathogens: Bacteria: Pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Salmonella. Viruses: Waterborne viruses like norovirus and hepatitis A virus. Protozoa: Parasitic protozoa such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium Chemical Contaminants: Inorganic Chemicals: Heavy metals (e.g., lead, mercury), arsenic, fluoride, and nitrates. Organic Chemicals: Pesticides, herbicides, industrial chemicals, and pollutants from wastewater. Physical Contaminants Suspended Solids: Solid particles that remain in the water, affecting clarity and quality. Turbidity: Cloudiness or haziness caused by suspended particles. Nutrients: Nitrogen and Phosphorus - Excessive levels can lead to nutrient pollution, promoting algal and cyanobacteria blooms and impacting aquatic ecosystems. Radionuclides: Radioactive Elements - Naturally occurring radionuclides like radium and uranium, which can contaminate groundwater. Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs): Residues from medications and personal care items that can enter water systems.		NON-MAJOR WATER POLLUTANTS Dissolved Gases: Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide: Levels of dissolved oxygen are crucial for aquatic life, while excess carbon dioxide can affect pH levels. Organic Compounds: Humic Substances: Naturally occurring organic materials that can color water and affect taste and odor. Water Temperature: Elevated temperatures, often due to industrial discharges or inadequate wastewater treatment, can adversely impact aquatic ecosystems. Metals: Trace Metals: Metals such as copper, zinc, and iron in concentrations that, although not major pollutants, can impact water quality and aquatic ecosystems.