Question

What are the causes of water pollution? Discuss how you can contribute in reducing water pollution.

Answer 1

Hint: Discharge of industrial and domestic wastes, leakage from water tanks, marine dumping, radioactive waste and atmospheric deposition are major causes of water pollution.

Complete answer:
First let's see the causes of water pollution.
- Marine dumping: If garbage is dumped into the ocean, the oxygen in the water could be depleted. This results in poor health for marine life
- Industrial waste: Industrial waste may be toxic, corrosive or reactive. If not managed properly, this waste can pose dangerous health and environmental consequences.
- Sewage: Sewage is wastewater that often contains faeces, urine and laundry waste.
- Household waste: Household waste includes dirt, soap, food, grease, and bodily wastes down the drain. Sinks, toilets, showers, and washing machines wastage may contain pathogens.
- Nuclear waste: Nuclear waste may come from industrial, medical and scientific processes that use radioactive material.
- Oil pollution: When we pour oil wastage in water, the oil forms a thick sludge in the water, as oil is insoluble in water.
- Underground storage leakage, Pesticide, Animal dung, Intensive farming also cause water pollution.

Ways of reducing water pollution:
- Do not dump in or around rivers: It is one of the leading causes of water pollution.
- Clear and maintain the septic system properly: Septic tanks may leak into the water bodies.
- Follow all water laws and regulations: Breaking the rules puts the water at risk.
- Proper disposal of pesticide and insecticide: Never pour these things into your field or toilet. These chemicals enter the water supply.
- Never pour cooking fat and oil down the sink: They clog the drains.
- Refrain from using bleach when washing at home: it can cause serious damage to environment
- Clean up the yard regularly.
- Education: It is the most important thing to educate people about water safety and water pollution.

Note: There are lots of things that pollute water like putting anything in the water, that affect marine life which causes water pollution. Planting trees near river banks causes soil erosion which leads to siltation of the water body.