WATER POLLUTION

Introduction
Water pollution can be defined as any contamination of water that lessens its value to
humans and nature (Owen, O. S. & Chiras, D. 1990). Although fresh water is a
potentially renewable resource, it can become so contaminated by human activities
that it is no longer useful for many purposes. The following are eight common types
of water pollutants:
 disease-causing agents: bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and parasitic worms
 oxygen-demanding wastes: organic wastes
 water-soluble inorganic chemicals
 inorganic plant nutrients: water-soluble nitrate and phosphate compounds
 organic chemicals: oil, gasoline, plastics, and many
 sediment or suspended matter: insoluble particles of soil, silt, and other solid
inorganic and organic
 materials that become suspended in water..
 radioactive substances
 heat: excessive inputs of heated water used to cool electric power plants.

Source: G. T. Miller. 1990

Research
Research in water pollution is particularly important in developing countries at the
beginning of their industrialization and urbanization. Plans for the protection of
surface and underground water resources must be made before waste water begins to
pollute them. Economic and efficient treatment processes must be available for the
effective implementation of pollution control measures. In some developing countries,
stream surveys have been started, and field studies of the usefulness of treatment
plants that incorporate stabilization ponds and oxidation ditches are being undertaken
(Renn, C. E. 1960). Such measures are a good beginning, but if they are to be fully
effective they need the support of local laboratories for the control of treatment
operations and, to serve national requirements, properly organized and equipped
central research laboratories staffed with scientific, engineering, and other technical
personnel (Renn, C. E. 1960).
In addition to well-equipped laboratories, research institutions will of necessity
maintain good libraries, which can provide valuable information not only for
governments but also for the national and regional engineering and scientific
communities (Tarzwell, C. 1963).

Training
Warren (1971) reports that to effectively managed and control water pollution only
thorough training of personnel in developing countries. Warren reports due to the
personnel of different grades are discussed in the following briefly:

 Managers and executives

Senior experienced civil engineers, chemists, microbiologists, and sanitary inspectors
should be given a year or two of intensive training in environmental health theory and
practice to prepare them for senior managerial or executive posts in water
management authorities. Such training, which can be given in well-established and
properly staffed schools of engineering or public health, is important because those
who undergo it will have to advise their governments in the making of far-reaching
decisions. It should, therefore, bring them abreast of the most advanced thinking in the
profession. The training should be supplemented by field studies both in and outside
the trainees' own countries, exposing them to widely varying situations demonstrating
the necessity of adaptability and independent thinking.

 University teachers
Intensive programmes should be offered for the training of both senior and junior
university teachers. If local institutions are not available, such training may have to be
given overseas. If personnel with good practical experience could be encouraged to
engage in teaching, some emphasis on applied research might be developed in the
universities, although basic research should not be neglected.

 Middle-grade professionals
Training is also necessary for young graduates who wish to make a career in
environmental health work. Local institutions should provide both undergraduate and
post-graduate training for sanitary engineers, microbiologists, chemists, sanitarians,
and members of related professions.

The training of mechanical and electrical engineers should also be undertaken, since
plant operators will need assistance in the maintenance of mechanical and electrical
equipment that may be used in treatment plants.

 Auxiliary personnel
At first, few engineering works and institutions concerned with water pollution control
will be in existence in developing countries. Consequently, the demand for auxiliary
personnel will be small, and few will be available. The establishment of schools for
the training of such personnel will be delayed, and in-service training may be the only
solution. It is probable that the highest grades of auxiliary personnel, such as
laboratory technicians and skilled mechanics, will be the first to receive formal
training when it becomes available, while the lower grades will continue to be trained
in service. As a result of the shortage of personnel who can perform the more delicate
operations in water and sewage treatment plants, difficulties may be expected in the
initial period of plant operation.

Need for outside assistance

Developing countries may need outside assistance to achieve their educational and
staffing needs (Warren 1971). Such assistance may have to take the form of
development grants to institutions, travel or study grants to senior personnel, and the
provision of experts to assist in the etablishment of sanitary engineering institutions
such as regional post-graduate colleges (Renn, C. E. 1960). Experts from different
countries could also assist in the establishment of adequate organizations for the
management of water resources and could take part in special short-term training
programmes (Warren 1971).
Public Support
Success in developing a system of water pollution control depends to a great extent on
creating a national sense of responsibility. Much support can be obtained from the
general public, if their interest is aroused in the importance of preserving water
resources. Therefore, essential to inform the public of the dangers involved in water
pollution. Different types of information may have to be supplied to different groups
of the public (Warren 1971). For example, the information that would be appropriate
for a large industrial concern would be of little interest to a young mother.

Persons who have influential positions in public life that include Penghulu,
ketua kampung or Politician can assist water pollution control by promoting the
necessary legislative measures, by supporting water pollution control organizations,
and by securing necessary funds.

Action should be initiated by those responsible for water pollution control.

Information, which should be issued continually and systematically, should be
prepared by specialists in both publicity and water pollution control, and should
concentrate on essential facts concerning the main sources of pollution, the principal
types of pollutants, and on the effects of such pollutants on receiving waters.
Emphasis should be given to
 the natural process of purification that occurs in surface and ground water, and
its limitations
 the principles, methods, and achievements of pollution control.
Source: G. T. Miller. 1990

Such information should be disseminated by all possible means. Daily

newspapers may establish regular columns on water pollution and its control
(Figure1), and publish news from the field (Figure 2), articles of special interest, and
news on court proceedings connected with water pollution (Figure3). The press should
also be used for the correction of misinformation, and can publish appeals for public
co-operation (Figure 4). Other means for disseminating information are radio,
educational films, and particularly television. Lectures for the general public, school
lectures illustrated with lantern slides or films, demonstrations of water pollution
control measures in the field, and well prepared pamphlets containing more detailed
information may also prove useful.

It is particularly important that the leadership of a country be correctly

informed on the nature, importance, tasks, and achievements of water pollution
control (Owen, O. S. & Chiras, D. 1990).

In short, water pollution control should be publicized by the methods used in

good commercial salesmanship (Warren 1971). For such activities, it is desirable to
enlist the aid of persons from tourist associations and agencies, water sports
associations, fisheries, industries that require clean water, boy-scout and girl-guide
organizations, conservation associations, women's associations, school children, and
riparian populations(Warren 1971).
Figure 1and 2 about water pollution
Figure 3 News on court proceedings connected with water pollution
Figure 4: Public needs help.
The Tasks Ahead
Tasks of the Scientific Community
The Air Conservation Commission believes that the scientific community must
undertake three broad tasks:
 To engage in more extensive research on the nature of air pollutants, how they
interact, what their effects are, how they can be controlled more effectively
and economically and how they are carried from one place to another,
including how such transmission can be predicted.
 To become familiar, if they are not already, with information about air
conservation and air pollution, even if the information is outside immediate
professional concerns.
 To participate in the process of informing public bodies and the public about
the nature of air pollution and the possibilities for air conservation.
Source: Hynes, H. B. N. 1960

The Commission is, in effect, calling upon scientists to recognize that the
products of the efforts of the scientific community have imposed new obligations and
offer new opportunities.

The Tasks of Government

The Commission believes that the appropriate levels of government should undertake
five tasks:
 To recognize and state the need for air conservation efforts and to gather the
information needed to develop the necessary programs.
 To support appropriate research.
 To establish monitoring systems.
 To develop air conservation and air pollution control programs, making use of
necessary enforcement procedures.
 To support and participate in educational programs that are aimed at the
broadest possible public understanding of air pollution problems and air
conservation needs.
Source: Hynes, H. B. N. 1960

Different levels of government can perform some of these functions more

effectively than others. Thus, gathering basic data and sponsoring basic research can
be performed most effectively by the federal government but some states and several
metropolitan areas may also be able to make significant contributions. Federal and
state governments and international agencies could probably handle monitoring most
effectively. The development of air conservation and control programs have, until
now, been viewed as tasks for local governments; and this is proper. But both federal
and state governments might also have an interest in cooperating with local areas.

The Task of the Citizen

The Air Conservation Commission believes that the public should undertake three
tasks:

 To become familiar with information about air conservation and air pollution,
calling upon the scientific community and the government for assistance.
 To consider the problems of all segments of the community: industries,
utilities, and private citizens.
 To urge, permit, and require that the" appropriate goverments take the action
needed to insure that the quality of the air is at the level desired by the people
within its jurisdiction, and to take the necessary steps to insure that this air
quality is maintained.
Source: Hynes, H. B. N. 1960

Conclusion
Man has been extravagant and wasteful with the world in which lie lives. Man has
ravaged its forests and soils, plundered its mineral wealth, squandered its waters, and
contaminated its air. It’s show that the problem of air pollution will probably never be
"solved." But if man is willing to recognize that the problem exists, if he is prepared to
bring to it his political wisdom, scientific knowledge, and technological skills, and if
he is willing to work with nature instead of against it, then he can leave to his children
something more valuable and more necessary to human life than any of the
manufactured products of his civilization.