Question

Write the four causes of water pollution and explain the control of water pollution.

Answer 1

Causes of water pollution

(i) Sewage: Sewage mainly contains organic matter, human excreta, domestic wastes, soap and other detergents. Sewage is allowed to enter water bodies. These substances are decomposed by bacteria in them and thus water becomes unfit for domestic purposes.

(ii) Industrial effluents: Effluents discharges from various industrial units contain both inorganic and organic pollutants such as oil, grease, plastic, metallic wastes and suspended solids etc. Many of these pollutants are not decomposed and create serious problems of pollution.

(iii) Agricultural discharges: In the modern agricultural practices numerous types of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and other soil additives extensively used. These substances reach into ponds and rivers through irrigation, rains and drainage cause pollution.

(iv) Radioactive wastes: Radioactive wastes produce in nuclear power plants if dumped in water bodies cause water pollution.

Measure for the control and prevention of water pollution:

1) The domestic sewage and the industrial waste should be properly treated before it is disposed into waterways.

2) Treatment of industrial effluents: Industrial effluents should be properly treated to remove the pollutants.

3) Recycling: One of the best methods of prevention and control of water pollution is the recycling of the various kinds of pollutants and wastes.