ACTIVITIES THAT

AFFECT THE QUALITY

AND AVAILABILITY OF
WATER
Informal settlements
• The constant rise in the number of people who live in the areas around
streams and other water resources has placed an increasing pressure on
this scarce resource.
Agriculture

• Water quality can be affected when farmers spray their crops with chemical pesticides and hormonal
chemicals. These chemicals can seep into the ground water and eventually flow into streams and rivers.
• Overgrazing occurs when too many animals are kept in an area which is too small to sustain them. The
animals eat all the plants, which means that there is no ground cover left to bind the soil. When heavy
rains fall on overgrazed lands, the rich top soil in which plants grow is washed away into rivers.
• Domestic animals such as cows, goats and sheep can also contaminate water with their feces. Also, when
animals are allowed to wade in water, they disturb the river bed and the water becomes dirty.
Wetland destruction
• Wetlands are the 'sponges' of the river system and are found at intervals along the entire length of
the river. They absorb and store large quantities of water after it has rained, and then slowly feed
the ground water and streams during drier times.
Commercial forestry
• Planting of exotic trees in large numbers can be a drain on the water supplies in the area. Pine
trees, for example, can each absorb about 200 litres of water a day. Therefore, forests near
wetlands and streams can result in the water flow being restricted and eventually drying up.
Littering
• Rubbish like plastic bags, bottles, paper and tins which are carelessly thrown on the ground in the
city or in the country can cause pollution of the rivers. Rubbish is blown by the wind into the river
or it is washed down storm-water drains and into the rivers
Oil/chemicals/medicine
• Pouring oil from motor cars or cooking oil into the drain causes serious problems in the rivers and
at the water purification works. Chemicals, medicines and oil should never be flushed down the
toilet or poured down the sink or drain, as they contaminate the water and make it costlier to treat.
These products should be taken to a depot which can dispose them in the correct way.
Industry
• Some industries have been given permission to discharge their effluent into nearby streams.
However, there are some industries which do not adhere to the standards set or which have not
obtained permission to discharge into the river.
WAYS OF CONSERVING
AND PROTECTING
WATER RESOURCES
Top 10 Ways to Protect and Conserve Groundwater

• Dispose of chemicals properly.

• Take used motor oil to a recycling center.
• Limit the amount of fertilizer used on plants.
• Take short showers.
• Shut water off while brushing teeth.
• Run full loads of dishes and laundry.
• Check for leaky faucets and have them fixed.
• Abandon all wells that are not needed.
• Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator.
• Get involved in water education.