Causes of water pollution:
Water pollution is caused by natural and human sources.
- Natural sources of water pollution are due to erosion, landslides, gases, soil, minerals.
- Human excreta, waste created by animals and other living organisms and rotting vegetation are also some causes. More than natural sources, water pollution is largely caused by human activities.
- Humans pollute water through industrial, agricultural and cultural activities. Among these, industry is the worst culprit.
- Industries produce a variety of waste products including industrial wastes, polluted water wastes, poisonous gases, chemical residuals, numerous heavy metals, dust, smoke etc.,
- Most of the industrial wastes are disposed by running water. Consequently poisonous elements reach the lakes, river and other water bodies, which **** them.
- Reservoirs -They in turn *** the bio-systems of the water. Major water polluting industries are leather, pulp and paper, textiles and chemicals.
- Fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides, farm wastes and mineral particles from agricultural lands are washed down and end up in rivers, lakes and tanks.
- The chemicals also infiltrate into the soil to reach the ground water.
- Addition of fertilizer increases the nitrate content of surface waters.
- Religious and cultural activities like pilgrimages, fairs, tourism, immersion of idols after pujas etc., also cause water pollution,
- Urban activities such as improper sewage disposal also cause water pollution.
- Effects of water pollution: Water pollutants adversely affect the health of humans, animals and aquatic life.
- Water pollution is a source of various water borne **** like diarrhoea, intestinal worms, hepatitis etc.
- World health organization shows that about one fourth of the communicable **** in India are **** water borne.
