Water bodies include lakes, rivers, seas, aquifers, reservoirs, and groundwater.

Water pollution
(also known as aquatic pollution) is the contamination of water bodies, typically as a result of
human activity. When pollutants are introduced into these water bodies, water contamination
follows. Sewage discharges, industrial operations, agricultural practices, and urban runoff,
including stormwater, are the four main causes of water pollution. [2] It may be divided into
two categories: surface water pollution (either fresh water pollution or marine pollution), or
groundwater contamination.

For instance, discharging wastewater that hasn't been properly treated into natural waters
might cause these aquatic ecosystems to deteriorate. When a body of water is contaminated, it
is less able to supply the ecosystem services (such drinking water) that it would otherwise give,
which increases the risk of water-borne illnesses for people who use it for drinking, bathing,
washing, or irrigation.

There are two types of sources of water pollution: point sources and non-point sources. Point
sources, such a storm drain, a wastewater treatment facility, or an oil spill, have a single,
distinguishable cause. Agricultural runoff is an example of a non-point source that is more
diffuse. Pollution is the end consequence of a cumulative influence over time.
Oil, metals, plastics, pesticides, persistent organic pollutants, industrial waste products, changes
in salinity, changes in pH, elevated temperatures, excessive turbidity, disagreeable tastes or
odors, and pathogenic organisms are just a few examples of harmful chemicals that can cause
pollution. Both organic and inorganic compounds might be contaminants. Thermal pollution is
the term for when heat acts as a pollutant. The use of water as a coolant by industrial
enterprises and power plants is a frequent contributor to thermal pollution.

Legislation, the right infrastructure, management strategies, and management plans are all
necessary to control water pollution. Improved sanitation, sewage treatment, industrial
wastewater treatment, agricultural wastewater treatment, erosion control, sediment control,
and urban runoff control are some examples of technological solutions (including stormwater
management). In order to effectively regulate urban runoff, flow quantity and speed must be
decreased.