Water pollution— The water present in rivers, ponds, lakes and streams, comes from rain and the melted snow of the mountains. As it flows the down the plains, it picks up many dissolved and suspended impurities and gets polluted
Causes of water pollution:
• Industrial and agricultural processes— Fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides and other chemicals used in cultivated fields, get dissolved in water when it flows over these fields. They make the water unfit for consumption.
• Nuclear and thermal power plants— Power plants discharge the hot water often containing chemicals into water streams. It is harmful to aquatic life.
• The discharge of sewage and garbage— The discharge of sewage and garbage into river water is one of the major causes of water pollution.
Prevention of water pollution—
• Make people aware of pollution.
• Make sanitary facilities available is rural areas and city slums.
• Domestic sewage should be treated before being discharged into rivers.
• The solid matter separated from sewage can be used to generate biogas.
• The waste products of industries should be treated before they are discharged into rivers and other water bodies.
• We should stop using substances like detergents, pesticides, polythene etc.
