Environmental and health

Environmental Issue

Water Pollution

                Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies such as rivers, ocean and groundwater. This form of environmental degradation occurs when pollutants are directly or indirectly discharged into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful compounds.

                The water pollution occur when the water bodies is adversely affected due to the addition of large amounts of materials to the water. The source of water pollution are categorized as being a point source or a non-source point of pollution. Point sources of pollution occur when the polluting substance is emitted directly into the waterway. For example, a pipe spewing toxic chemicals directly into a river. A non-point source occurs when there is runoff of pollutants into a waterway, for instance when fertilizer from a field is carried into a stream by surface runoff.

                Water pollution has many different causes and this is one of the reasons why it is such a difficult problem to be solved. One of the causes of water pollution is the farming. The use of herbicides and pesticides in large amount in the farms can cause toxic pollutants. These substances are particularly dangerous to life in rivers, streams and lakes, where toxic substances can build up over a period of time. Farms also frequently use large amounts of chemical fertilizers that are washed into the waterways and damage the water supply and the life within it. Fertilizers can increase the amounts of nitrates and phosphates in the water, which can lead to the process of eutrophication. Allowing livestock to graze near water sources often results in organic waste products being washed into the waterways. This sudden introduction of organic material increases the amount of nitrogen in the water, and can also lead to eutrophication. Eutrophication is the enrichment of an ecosystem with chemical nutrients that typically containing nitrogen, phosphorus or both. Eutrophication is the forms of water pollution.

                Sewage is also the cause of water pollution. Disposing of sewage is the major problem with billions of people on the planet. Sewage disposal affects people's immediate environments and leads to water-related illnesses such as diarrhoea.  In developed countries, most people have flush toilets that take sewage waste quickly and hygienically away from their homes. Yet the problem of sewage disposal does not end there. When you flush the toilet, the waste has to go somewhere and, even after it leaves the sewage treatment works, there is still waste to dispose of. Sometimes sewage waste is pumped untreated into the sea.  When people are sick with viruses, the sewage they produce carries those viruses into the environment. It is possible to catch illnesses such as hepatitis, typhoid, and cholera from river and sea water.

                Other than farming and sewage, there are also many causes that can lead water pollution such as chemical waste, oil pollution, livestock animals, land erosion, restaurants and food outlets and others. This type of cause can affect the ecosystem, health and also can cause the death. 

                The water pollution can lead to the destruction of ecosystem. The destroyed of the ecosystem is by the rising temperature in the water, as coral reefs are affected by the bleaching effect due to warmer temperatures.  Additionally, the warm water forces indigenous water species to seek cooler water in other areas, causing an ecological damaging shift of the affected area. Eventually, humans also 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.

                To stop water pollution is not easy but we can still reduce the water pollution and prevent it before it become worse. First of all, never throw rubbish away anyhow. Always look for the correct waste bin. If there is none around, please take it home and put it in your trash can. This includes places like the beach, riverside and water bodies.

               Other than that, do not throw chemicals, oils, paints and medicines down the sink drain, or the toilet. In many cities, your local environment office can help with the disposal of medicines and chemicals. Check with your local authorities if there is a chemical disposal plan for local residents. If you use chemicals and pesticides for your gardens and farms, be mindful not to overuse pesticides and fertilizers. This will reduce runoffs of the chemical into nearby water sources. Start looking at options of composting and using organic manure instead.

                The government also should have very strict laws that help minimize water pollution. These laws are usually directed at industries, hospitals, schools and market areas on how to dispose, treat and manage sewage. There are also lots of organizations and groups that help educate people on the dangers of water pollution. It is always great to join these groups, because they regularly encourage other members of their communities to have a better attitude towards water.

                In conclusion, water is very important not only to human but also to the ecosystem.  So, we need to preserve our water and take care of it wisely from being polluted. If the water pollution become worse, the our ecosystem will be affected by it because all the living things need water for live continuity.