By:

Akshaya.S
Hi friends !!!
Today we are here to
discuss about water’s
necessities and about
water pollution…
Water: A wonder liquid
 Water is one of the basic necessities
of our life.
 It is a natural renewable resource
which is vital for all known forms
of life
 About 97.5% of the water on the
planet earth is found in seas and
oceans as saline water and is not
available to us for use directly.
 Only 2.5% of the total water resources of
the world consist of fresh water.
 Majority of it (about 2%) is found frozen
in the ice-caps at the poles and on snow-
covered mountains.
 Remaining(0.5%) is available to support
terrestrial life.
 Majority (90%) of this fresh water is
found underground as groundwater and
only 10% occurs as surface waters
Necessity of water
 Most of the living matter is formed of water
 Water is a universal solvent for the chemicals found in
the living world.
 All cellular process (metabolism) occur in water
medium.
 Water helps in maintaining the turgity of cells
 In living beings substances are transported from one
part to another in dissolved form.
 Water helps in maintaining body temperature.
Water pollution
Water pollution
 Water pollution can be defined as the
addition of some substances, which degrade
the quality of water so that it becomes unfit
for use.
 Some poisons, pathogens pollute the water
even at low concentrations.
 Ground water pollution is caused by septic
tanks, industries like textile, chemical and
tanneries and deep well injections and
mining activities
Types of water pollution
There are many types of water pollution because water comes from
many sources. Here are a few types of water pollution:
 1. Nutrients Pollution
Some wastewater, fertilizers and sewage contain high levels of
nutrients. If they end up in water bodies, they encourage algae and
weed growth in the water. This will make the water undrinkable,
and even clog filters. Too much algae will also use up all the oxygen
in the water, and other water organisms in the water will die out of
oxygen starvation.
 2. Surface water pollution
Surface water includes natural water found on the earth's surface,
like rivers, lakes, lagoons and oceans. Hazardous substances coming
into contact with this surface water, dissolving or mixing physically
with the water can be called surface water pollution.
 3. Oxygen Depleting
Water bodies have micro-organisms. These include
aerobic and anaerobic organisms. When too much
biodegradable matter (things that easily decay) end up
in water, it encourages more microorganism growth,
and they use up more oxygen in the water. If oxygen is
depleted, aerobic organisms die, and anaerobic
organisms grow more to produce harmful toxins such
as ammonia and sulfides.
 4. Ground water pollution
When humans apply pesticides and chemicals to soils, they are washed
deep into the ground by rainwater. This gets to underground water,
causing pollution underground.
This means when we dig wells and bore holes to get water from
underground, it needs to be checked for ground water pollution.

 5. Microbiological
In many communities in the world, people drink untreated water
(straight from a river or stream). Sometimes there is natural pollution
caused by microorganisms like viruses, bacteria and protozoa. This
natural pollution can cause fishes and other water life to die. They can
also cause serious illness to humans who drink from such waters.
 6. Suspended Matter
Some pollutants (substances, particles and chemicals) do not easily dissolve in
water. This kind of material is called particulate matter. Some suspended
pollutants later settle under the water body. This can harm and even kill
aquatic organisms that live at the bottom of water bodies.
 7. Chemical Water Pollution
Many industries and farmers work with chemicals that end up in water. This is
common with Point-source pollution. These include chemicals that are used to
control weeds, insects and pests. Metals and solvents from industries can
pollute water bodies. These are poisonous to many forms of aquatic life and
may slow their development, make them infertile and kill them.
 8. Oil Spillage
Oil spills usually have only a localized effect on wildlife but can spread for
miles. The oil can cause the death to many fish and get stuck to the feathers of
seabirds causing them to lose their ability to fly.
Causes of water pollution
Water pollution is caused due to several reasons. Here
are the few major causes of water pollution:
 Sewage And Waste Water
 Dumping
 Industrial Waste.
 Oil Pollution
 Acid Rain
 Global Warming
 Eutrophication
Effects of water pollution
 Death of aquatic (water) animals
The main problem caused by water pollution is that it
kills organisms that depend on these water bodies. Dead
fish, crabs, birds and sea gulls, dolphins, and many other
animals often wind up on beaches, killed by pollutants in
their habitat (living environment).
 Disruption of food-chains
Pollution disrupts the natural food chain as well.
Pollutants such as lead and cadmium are eaten by tiny
animals. Later, these animals are consumed by fish and
shellfish, and the food chain continues to be disrupted at
all higher levels.
 Diseases
Eventually, humans are affected by this process as well.
People can get diseases such as hepatitis by eating seafood
that has been poisoned. In many poor nations, there is
always outbreak of cholera and diseases as a result of poor
drinking water treatment from contaminated waters.

 Destruction of ecosystems
Ecosystems (the interaction of living things in a place,
depending on each other for life) can be severely changed
or destroyed by water pollution. Many areas are now being
affected by careless human pollution, and this pollution is
coming back to hurt humans in many ways.
Solutions for water pollution
 DO NOT pour fat from cooking or any other type of fat, oil, or
grease down the sink. Keep a “fat jar” under the sink to collect
the fat and discard in the solid waste when full.
 DO NOT dispose of household chemicals or cleaning agents
down the sink or toilet. Simsbury has a Hazardous Waste
Collection day usually from 8:00am to 1:00pm at Henry James
School. Connecticut Resource Recovery Authority lists all
collection dates.
 DO NOT flush pills, liquid or powder medications or drugs
down the toilet. For recommendations on proper disposal for all
types of medical wastes, visit the CT DEP publication here.
 Avoid using the toilet as a wastebasket. Most tissues, wrappers,
dust cloths, and other paper goods should be properly discarded
in a wastebasket. The fiber reinforced cleaning products that
have become popular should never be discarded in the toilet.
 Avoid using a garbage disposal. Keep solid wastes solid. Make a
compost pile from vegetable scraps.
 Install a water efficient toilet. In the meantime, put a brick or 1/2 gal
container in the standard toilet tank to reduce water use per flush.
 Run the dishwasher or clothes washer only when you have a full load.
This conserves electricity and water.
 Use the minimum amount of detergent and/or bleach when you are
washing clothes or dishes. Use only phosphate free soaps and
detergents.
 Minimize the use of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers. DO NOT dispose
of these chemicals, motor oil, or other automotive fluids into the
sanitary sewer or storm sewer systems. Both of them end at the river.
 If your home has a sump pump or cellar drain, make certain it does not
drain into the sanitary sewer system. If you are unsure, please call
Simsbury Water Pollution Control at (860) 658-1380 and we can assist
in determining the discharge point.
Here is a small video clip for
you about water pollution