What is Water Pollution?

Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies, usually as a result of human activities. Water bodies include for example lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers and groundwater. 

Causes: Discharge of domestic and industrial effluent wastes, leakage from tanks, marine dumping, radioactive waste and atmospheric deposition are some of the major causes of water pollution. Heavy metals that disposed off and industrial waste can accumulate in lakes and river thus making it harmful to humans and animals. Oil Spillage is also one of the major causes of Water Pollution.

Effects: People suffer from lack of drinking water and depend on bottled water for consumption. Plants that depend on these polluted water may wither and die, and new plants may not grow in that region. Thus depleting the food for animals and humans in that area. Thus it may disrupt the food chain. The main problem caused by water pollution is that it kills organisms that depend on these water bodies. Dead fish, crabs, birds and seagulls, dolphins, and many other animals often wind up on beaches, killed by pollutants in their habitat (living environment).