Water Pollution

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This Article is written by Vishwajeet Singh, Som Law College Prayagraj, UP, 4th Semester(LL.B), intern under Legal Vidhiya.

Abstract

Water pollution has become a global problem as a result of human activities with indiscriminate release of industrial, domestic sewage, and mining effluents into the environment. The negative impacts of water pollution on human, animal, and ecosystem have prompted numerous strategies being developed for the control, remediation, cleaning, and purification of the water system at the source and at the end-point of the delivery-line. Membrane separation, biological precipitation, adsorption, and photocatalysis are among the methods employed. Of great importance is to develop the more economical, cost-effective, easily operable, efficient, and effective water treatment techniques. Surfactants and biosurfactants are employed in the water treatment processes as they could reduce surface tension between two immiscible liquids. Biosurfactants obtained from natural sources have attracted attention as they are inexpensive, ecofriendly, and have unique attributes for coapplication with nanomaterials to enhance their activity and performance. This review article examines the application and performance of biosurfactant − nanomaterial systems in the water purification processes.

Introduction

Water Pollution is one of the main environmental issues we face, as more than 70% of the Earth’s surface is water-covered. Until recently, water pollution was viewed primarily as a threat to human health because of the transmission of bacterial and viral waterborne diseases. In less developed countries, and in almost any country in time of war, waterborne diseases remain a major public health threat. In the United States and other developed countries, however, water treatment and distribution methods have almost eradicated microbial contamination in drinking water. We now recognize that water pollution constitutes a much broader threat and continues to pose serious health risks to the public as well as aquatic life. In this chapter we discuss the sources of water pollution and the effect of this pollution on streams, lakes and oceans.

Water Pollution occurs when harmful substances-often chemicals or microorganisms—contaminate a stream, river, lake, ocean, aquifer, or other body of water, degrading water quality and rendering it toxic to humans or the environment.

This widespread problem of water pollution is jeopardizing our health. Unsafe water kills more people each year than war and all other forms of violence combined. Meanwhile, our drinkable water sources are finite: Less than 1 percent of the earth’s freshwater is actually accessible to us. Without action, the challenges will only increase by 2050, when global demand for freshwater is expected to be one-third greater than it is now.

Water Pollution

Water Pollution is the contamination of water sources by substances which make the water unusable for drinking, cooking, cleaning, swimming, and other activities. Pollutants include chemicals, trash, bacteria, and parasites. All forms of pollution eventually make their way to water. Air pollution settles onto lakes and oceans. Land pollution can seep into an underground stream, then to a river, and finally to the ocean. Thus, waste dumped in a vacant lot can eventually pollute a water supply.

A practical definition of water pollution is: “Water pollution is the addition of substances or energy forms that directly or indirectly alter the nature of the water body in such a manner that negatively affects its legitimate uses”.^[[1]] Water is typically referred to as polluted when it is impaired by anthropogenic contaminants. Due to these contaminants, it either no longer supports a certain human use, such as drinking water, or undergoes a marked shift in its ability to support its biotic communities, such as fish.

As water is a universal solvent, it is very vulnerable to pollution because water can dissolve more substances than any other liquid found on Earth. Water can become polluted both directly and indirectly, so understanding the different types of water pollution and the causes, can help improve water quality.

Types of Water Pollution

There are a variety of types of water pollution as varied contaminating agents cause different effects to the authenticity of water. Mentioned below are the main types of water pollution.

Groundwater Pollution

Groundwater comes from below the Earth’s surface, found in stores called aquifers. A key source of water pollution that ends up in groundwater resources comes from agriculture. Fertilizers and pesticides applied to farmland are easily absorbed into the ground, or they can be transported as runoff during rainfall.

Groundwater can also become contaminated when waste from landfills and septic systems leaches into the ground. Once these harmful chemicals find their way into groundwater, they are often extracted from wells or boreholes, compromising the quality of water. Therefore, when water is extracted from groundwater resources, it is important that the groundwater must be tested and treated so that it is safe for drinking water supplies and other human uses.

Surface Water Pollution

Harmful chemicals and waste products from various sites such as factories, households, etc come in contact with water bodies like lakes, ocean, seas, etc.. Hence, when such substances are dissolved in water, it pollutes it.

Suspended Matter

Waste such as plastics, rubber, and other man-made materials that are improperly disposed of and cannot be broken down easily in water is called particulate or suspended matter.

The suspended particles either settle at the bottom of water sources, damaging marine life and leaching toxic chemicals into drinking water supplies, or they float on the surface of the water, preventing oxygen and sunlight from penetrating the water below.

Chemical Water Pollution

A variety of chemicals are used in multiple activities like farming, in factories, households, etc. Such chemicals highly contaminate the water making it hazardous. Often the metallic waste, chemicals, solvents etc are released directly into the nearby water bodies. Also, the chemicals used by framers to prevent crops from insects pollute water.

Microbial Water Pollution

Microbiological pollution is a type of naturally occurring water pollution. It comes from microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa that can cause waterborne diseases such as cholera. This type of water pollution is common in areas where people drink untreated water.

Oxygen-Depletion Pollution

Water bodies contain a variety of microorganisms including both Aerobic and Anaerobic organisms. More oxygen is used by the biodegradable matter that is present in the water. Hence, the oxygen levels get depleted giving rise to the harmful toxins in the water bodies.

Oil Spillages

Water can be polluted from accidental oil spills, transportation, runoff, and intentionally dumping. Oil spillage can have devastating effects on water environments, and they are extremely difficult to remove; just one liter of oil can pollute one million liters of water.

SOURCES OF WATER POLLUTION

Many human activities can adversely affect the quality of our rivers, lakes, seas and groundwater. Water quality is influenced by direct inputs, such as from a factory or sewage treatment plant, so-called “point source pollution”. It is also influenced by pollution from widespread sources, such as nutrients and pesticides from farming activities and pollutants released by industry into the air which then fall back to land and sea, so-called “diffuse pollution”. The main point source of pollution to water is from sewage and waste water treatment, while for diffuse pollution, main sources are from farming and fossil fuel power plants (via the air). Note that while sewage treatment plants are identified as a “point source”, they are not the actual source as they treat what we put down our toilets and sinks.

The most significant sources of water pollution are :

Sewage (Waste Water):The sewage water carries pathogens, a typical water pollutant, other harmful bacterias, and chemicals that can cause serious health problems and thereby diseases.
Agricultural Pollution: Chemical fertilizers and pesticides are used by farmers to protect crops from insects and bacterias. However, when these chemicals are mixed up with water, they produce harmful pollutants for plants and animals.
Oil Pollution: Oil spill poses a huge threat to marine life when a large amount of oil spills into the sea and does not dissolve in water. It causes problems for local marine wildlife, including fish, birds, and sea otters.
Industrial Waste: Industries produce a tremendous amount of waste, which contains toxic chemicals and pollutants, causing air pollution and damage to our environment and us.
The burning of fossil fuels: Fossil fuels like coal and oil, when burnt, produce a substantial amount of ash in the atmosphere. The particles which contain toxic chemicals when mixed with water vapour result in acid rain.
River dumping and Marine Dumping: The garbage produced by households in the form of paper, plastic, food, aluminium, rubber, glass, is collected and dumped into the rivers and seas., they not only cause water pollution but also harm aquatic animals.

Effects Of Water Pollution

We have briefly touched upon how water pollution negatively affects both human health and the environment, but let’s dive deeper into the short and long-term effects

On the Environment

Ecosystems rely on healthy water conditions to function. When water pollution causes algal blooms from excessive nutrients, it reduces the oxygen levels in the water, creating dead zones which starve organisms of oxygen, causing them to die.

Aquatic environments are also threatened by marine debris pollution, a type of water pollution we are far too familiar with, because of the media. Marine debris can starve, entangle, and suffocate animals; this is particularly common in marine mammals and seabirds.

On Human health

Water pollution has very negative effects on public health. A lot of diseases result from drinking or being in contact with contaminated water, such as diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, dysentery or skin infections. In zones where there is no available drinking water, the main risk is dehydration obviously.To jump straight to the point, water pollution kills. Drinking contaminated water puts people at risk of serious illnesses from waterborne pathogens. Most people think that water pollution in drinking water is only common in third-world countries, however, even in wealthy nations such as the US, accidental and/or illegal waste, contributes to harmful pathogens entering waterways.

Agencies for controlling Water Pollution

There are two agencies set up as per the Act for controlling and preventing water pollution

Central Board- Central Pollution Control Board

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), statutory organisation, was constituted in September, 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. Further, CPCB was entrusted with the powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

It serves as a field formation and also provides technical services to the Ministry of Environment and Forests of the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Principal Functions of the CPCB, as spelt out in the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, (i) to promote cleanliness of streams and wells in different areas of the States by prevention, control and abatement of water pollution, and (ii) to improve the quality of air and to prevent, control or abate air pollution in the country.

Functions of the Central Board at the National Level
Advise the Central Government on any matter concerning prevention and control of water and air pollution and improvement of the quality of air.
Plan and cause to be executed a nation-wide programm for the prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution;
Co-ordinate the activities of the State Board and resolve disputes among them;
Provide technical assistance and guidance to the State Boards, carry out and sponsor investigation and research relating to problems of water and air pollution, and for their prevention, control or abatement;
Plan and organise training of persons engaged in programme on the prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution;
Organise through mass media, a comprehensive mass awareness programme on the prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution;
Collect, compile and publish technical and statistical data relating to water and air pollution and the measures devised for their effective prevention, control or abatement;
Prepare manuals, codes and guidelines relating to treatment and disposal of sewage and trade effluents as well as for stack gas cleaning devices, stacks and ducts;
Disseminate information in respect of matters relating to water and air pollution and their prevention and control;
Lay down, modify or annul, in consultation with the State Governments concerned, the standards for stream or well, and lay down standards for the quality of air; and
Perform such other function as may be prescribed by the Government of india.
State Board- State Pollution Control Board

Functions of the Central Board as State Boards for the Union Territories

Advise the Governments of Union Territories with respect to the suitability of any premises or location for carrying on any industry which is likely to pollute a stream or well or cause air pollution; Lay down standards for treatment of sewage and trade effluents and for emissions from automobiles, industrial plants, and any other polluting source; Evolve efficient methods for disposal of sewage and trade effluents on land; develop reliable and economically viable methods of treatment of sewage, trade effluent and air pollution control equipment; Identify any area or areas within Union Territories as air pollution control area or areas to be notified under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981; Assess the quality of ambient water and air, and inspect wastewater treatment installations, air pollution control equipment, industrial plants or manufacturing process to evaluate their performance and to take steps for the prevention, control and abatement of air and water pollution.
As per the policy decision of the Government of India, the CPCB has delegated its powers and functions under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 with respect to Union Territories to respective local administrations. CPCB along with its counterparts State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) are responsible for implementation of legislations relating to prevention and control of environmental pollution

Prevention and Control of Water Pollution

According to Section 19 of the Act, the state board has the power to limit the territorial jurisdiction of any order passed by it in matters relating to prevention and controlling water pollution. This means that the orders passed by the state board will only apply in the areas that are affected by water pollution .it is up to the state board to determine which area is to be declared water polluted and which is not, this can be done by making reference to a map or making reference to a line of any watershed or the boundary of any district.

Conclusion

Water contamination in urban areas is a major problem all over the world. The availability of freshwater affects the world economy significantly. This chapter mainly focuses on the different sources and health effects of urban water pollution, and the role of different authorities including environmental laws to control water contamination. Ensuring the availability of safe water for all is a very challenging task. With the advancement of industrial growth and modern technologies, freshwater resources get contaminated continuously. Different types of industrial activities such as manufacturing, processing, and synthesis lead to water contamination. Proper implementation of policies regarding industrial waste management should be ensured. Therefore, contaminated water can pose carcinogenic as well as non-carcinogenic effects. Proper management of medical waste and toxic chemicals should be ensured to protect freshwater sources such as rivers, lakes, etc. Wastewater treatment is an effective procedure to treat water. Stormwater management should be done effectively. Awareness should be created among people that water is a scarce resource and consumption or ingestion of contaminated water can leads to waterborne diseases which directly affect the health of the human body. Regular monitoring of water quality should be carried out to check the status of water. Governments should impose more and strict penalties on industries regarding the discharge of untreated waste. Proper implementation of government policies is essential to deal with water contamination problems. Governments should implement more effective mitigation strategies. Every individual should be responsible and understand their role in protection of water from contamination.

References