5 Water Pollution Sources and Key Prevention points

November 25, 2023November 25, 2023 Editor

Water, the elixir of life, is facing an unprecedented threat in the form of pollution. As our planet grapples with the consequences of industrialization and rapid urbanization, the sources of water pollution have multiplied, endangering ecosystems and human health alike. In this blog, we’ll explore the various sources of water pollution and delve into effective prevention methods to safeguard this precious resource.

Here are 5 sources of water pollution:

1. Industrial Waste Discharges:

Industries contribute significantly to water pollution through the release of harmful chemicals and toxins. Effluents from manufacturing processes often contain heavy metals, solvents, and other pollutants that can contaminate water bodies.

According to a 2009 official American study, around 44% of streams, 64% of lakes, and 30% of bays and estuaries have become contaminated owing to Industrial waste discharge.

In Europe, there have been strict limits for decades that industries must observe when discharging waste into water bodies including rivers. Unfortunately, emerging economies such as China, India, Africa or South America, environmental policies are yet to reach EU stage, making toxic release into rivers and lakes an everyday affair.

2. Agricultural Runoff:

Pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers used in agriculture can find their way into rivers and lakes through runoff, leading to water pollution. Agricultural Runoff is also known as nonpoint source pollutants as there exists not one but multiple sources which may or may not be traced.

Shockingly in the United States, five or more pesticides were discovered in 88% of the more than 5,000 samples taken from 72 rivers and streams (during 2013-17) in a study. Land use in the watersheds studied, included agricultural, urban, and mixed use.

The pesticide mixes’ potential toxicity to fish was modest, but around 12% of samples were estimated to have possible acute (immediate) or chronic (longer-term) toxicity to aquatic invertebrates. The Pesticide Toxicity Index (PTI), a screening method that analyzes the amounts of all pesticides in a water sample to predict potential toxicity, was used to assess potential toxicity.

These chemicals disrupt aquatic ecosystems and pose a threat to both aquatic life and human health.

3. Urban Runoff:

As urban areas expand, impervious surfaces like roads and buildings prevent water from soaking into the ground. Instead, it runs off, carrying pollutants such as oil, heavy metals, and debris into water bodies.

Construction activities were shown to have intense impacts on water quality in a Finnish developing catchment (Sillanpää and Koivusalo, 2015). Earth moving works, paving, house construction and temporary wastewater discharges were key factors explaining the variations in water quality.

Further operating vehicle releasing pollutants into the atmosphere which may later be deposited on roads and other surfaces, and may contribute pollutants directly to road surfaces (another source) and, hence, to stormwater runoff into water bodies.

4. Wastewater Treatment Plants:

While these plants play a crucial role in purifying water, they can also be a source of pollution if not properly managed. Inadequate treatment processes can result in the discharge of untreated or partially treated wastewater into rivers and oceans.

Wastewater contains phosphorus and nitrogen from food, human waste, soaps and detergents. Once the water is cleaned to standards set and monitored by state and authorities, it is typically released into a local water body, where it can become a source of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution.

Significant percentage of the world’s wastewater flows back into the environment without being treated or reused, according to the United Nations. In developing countries, almost 90% wastewater goes into waterbodies. In the United States, wastewater treatment facilities process about 34 billion gallons of wastewater per day. These capabilities reduce the amount of pollutants such as pathogens, phosphorus, and nitrogen in sewage, as well as heavy metals and toxic chemicals in industrial waste, before discharging the treated waters back into waterways.

5. Oil Spills:

Accidental or deliberate releases of oil, whether from oil tankers or industrial facilities, can have catastrophic effects on water quality. Oil spills coat the surface of water, causing harm to marine life and disrupting ecosystems.

Each year, approximately half of the estimated 1 million tons of oil that makes its way into marine environments comes not from tanker spills but from land-based sources such as farms, factories, and cities. At sea, tanker spills account for about 10% of the oil in waters around the world, while regular operations of the shipping industry—through both legal as well as illegal discharges—subsidise about one-third. Oil is also naturally released from under the ocean floor through fractures known as seeps.

Here are key points to prevention water pollution:

1. Collective global cooperation and Stringent Industrial Regulations:

Implementing and enforcing strict regulations on industrial discharges is essential. Industries must adopt cleaner production methods and technologies to minimize the release of harmful substances into water bodies.

In the recent G20 meet held in India on 27 MAR 2023, Ms Debashree Mukherjee, Special Secretary, Indian Ministry of Jal Shakti addressed delegates from G20 members, invitee countries, and international organizations and highlighted the fact that management of water resources in a holistic manner is pre-requisite for the development of a nation and consequently water secured world. She highlighted the need for collaboration and knowledge sharing in the field of water resources. She also pointed out that G20 India Presidency appreciates the valuable work, successful programmes, and innovations in the field of water resources by G20 members and India is committed to strengthen this cooperation in water resources development and management through sharing of the technical experiences, best practices, usage of state-of-the-art tools and technology and case studies of successful interventions in water sector for mutual benefits.

G20 members & other participants shared their best practices with presentations from Indonesia, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, China, European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, UK, USA, Denmark, Singapore, Spain, Oman and Netherlands as well as by International Organisations like Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Solar Alliance (ISA), United Nations Development Progam (UNDP) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) showcasing their Best Practices on Water Resources Management.

The following were the major themes of the presentations:

Integrated & Sustainable Use of Water Resources /Ecosystem Management
Waterbody Restoration / River Rejuvenation
Rainwater Management
Groundwater Management
Water Efficiency Approach with Adaptation to Climate Change
Drought/ Flood Management
Watershed Management with Focus on Civil Society Participation
Efficient Water Governance
Safe drinking Water and Wastewater Management
Water supply augmentation
Participatory Groundwater management practices

2. Sustainable Agriculture Practices:

Promoting the use of organic farming techniques, precision agriculture, and responsible use of fertilizers and pesticides can help reduce agricultural runoff. Buffer zones and riparian strips can be established to filter out pollutants before they reach water bodies.

3. Green Infrastructure in Urban Planning:

Integrating green spaces, permeable pavements, and retention basins in urban planning can mitigate the impact of urban runoff. These measures help to absorb and filter rainwater, reducing the amount of pollutants entering water bodies. Know more on Green Infrastructure.

4. Improved Wastewater Treatment:

Upgrading and maintaining wastewater treatment plants is crucial. Advanced treatment technologies should be employed to ensure the effective removal of pollutants before discharging treated water back into the environment.

5. Emergency Response and Preparedness:

Establishing robust emergency response plans for oil spills and other environmental accidents is vital. Quick and effective containment measures can minimize the extent of damage to water ecosystems.

The battle against water pollution requires a collective effort from individuals, industries, and governments. By understanding the sources of water pollution and implementing effective prevention methods, we can become stewards of our water resources, ensuring a sustainable and healthy future for generations to come. It’s time for us to be the guardians of the blue, preserving the lifeblood that sustains us all.