Water pollution arises from various human activities and environmental factors that introduce contaminants or disrupt natural water systems. Based on key environmental factors, several primary causes contribute to the degradation of water quality in surface waters and groundwater.
Understanding these causes is crucial for implementing effective prevention and control measures.
Key Causes of Water Pollution
According to environmental insights, significant factors leading to water pollution include specific types of discharges and water management issues. The main causes identified are:
- Spills or Leaks from Oil and Chemical Containers: Accidental releases from storage or transport of oil and chemicals can directly contaminate water bodies. These substances are often toxic and difficult to remove, posing long-term threats to aquatic life and human health.
- Trade Effluent Mismanagement: Industrial wastewater, known as trade effluent, must be properly treated and directed to appropriate sewage systems (foul water drains). When this effluent is incorrectly discharged into surface water drains or directly into watercourses without adequate treatment, it introduces pollutants like heavy metals, chemicals, and organic matter into rivers, lakes, and streams.
- Excessive Water Removal: Abstracting or removing too much water from surface waters (like rivers) and groundwater sources can also be considered a cause of pollution. This is because it reduces the volume of water available to dilute pollutants that are present, effectively increasing their concentration and impact on the remaining water body and its ecosystem.
These causes highlight the importance of proper industrial waste management, secure storage of hazardous materials, and sustainable water resource management practices to protect the quality of our vital water sources.
