When it comes to sustaining life, water is one of the most crucial components on Earth. Sadly, it is also incredibly vulnerable to pollution. This is mostly due to the fact that water is a universal solvent that can dissolve a wide variety of compounds.
This is a beautiful property that we utilize for routine activities like cooking, cleaning, and taking medications, but it is also the property that makes water so easily contaminated.
What are the 10 major causes of water pollution?
1. Industrial Waste
Worldwide, industrial waste from industries and industrial sites is a major cause of water contamination. Although, many industrial sites are controlled, others still lack adequate waste management systems, and produce waste in the form of harmful chemicals and contaminants.
Industrial wastewater is occasionally thrown into surrounding freshwater systems. It has a very high potential to contaminate freshwater systems when improperly handled, or worse, not handled at all. Industrial waste from mining operations, manufacturing facilities, and agricultural sites can enter rivers, streams, and other waterways that flow directly, into the ocean.
2. Marine Disposal
Marine dumping is exactly what it sounds like—it involves throwing waste into the ocean. Even though it may sound absurd, several nations still collect domestic waste and dump it into oceans. The majority of these goods can take two to 200 years to totally disintegrate.
3. Wastewater and sewage
Even after treatment, harmful chemicals, germs, and pathogens can still be detected in sewage and wastewater. Each residence releases effluent and sewage into the sea, along with fresh water. The germs and bacteria in that wastewater spread diseases, resulting in problems with both human and animal health.
4. Automobile Emissions
Vehicle emissions into the atmosphere might be carried away by rain or enter groundwater and surface waters. Oil from parked cars can leak and runoff, leaving puddles with a vibrant shine.
5. Leaks and Spills of Oil
When two substances do not mix well or at all, the idiom "like water and oil" is often used. Oil does not dissolve in water, contrary to what is said in the proverb. Despite being frequently unintentional, large oil spills and oil leaks are a major contributor to water contamination. Oil drilling operations in the ocean or ships that transport oil frequently result in leaks and spills.
6. Agriculture
Farmers frequently employ chemicals and pesticides to protect their crops from bacteria and insects. These pollutants can be harmful to people, plants, animals, and the environment when they seep into groundwater.
In addition, the chemicals combine with precipitation when it rains, which then flows into rivers and streams and eventually the ocean, increasing water contamination.
7. Worldwide Warming
In terms of water contamination, rising temperatures brought on by global warming are a serious worry. Water-dwelling creatures may die as a result of rising water temperatures, brought on by global warming. Large die-offs exacerbate the problem by polluting the water source further.
You may contribute to lowering water pollution and global warming in a variety of simple ways every day. These strategies include recycling, riding in a carpool, and utilizing CFL lights at home.
8. Radioactive Waste
Radioactive Waste from nuclear energy production plants can be very dangerous to the environment, and needs to be disposed of correctly. This is due to the very poisonous nature of uranium, the metal used to produce nuclear energy.
Unfortunately, mishaps still happen at these locations, releasing harmful waste into the ecosystem. In many ways, the coal and gas companies are no better. One of the main driving forces behind the creation of alternative, clean energy sources like solar and wind is this.
9. Hormones and antibiotics
Both are frequently fed to animals, who then excrete them into the environment. Hormones have a long half-life, can move for miles downstream, and have an impact on fish reproduction. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria may proliferate more easily if antibiotics enter rivers.
10. Large Metals
Commonly used metals like zinc and copper help livestock and poultry develop more quickly. Metals and other substances, such as lead, chromium, and arsenic, are discharged in their waste and persist in soil fertilizer that ends up in water sources.
Kidney, cardiovascular, and neurological system issues can result from heavy metal exposure.
What can we offer?
Since, wastewater composition varies, specialized wastewater management is required. Every project is different, and our experts at Netsol Water will assist you in selecting the most effective technique, for managing your wastewater.