Water pollution is caused by a variety of sources, primarily stemming from human activities. The major causes include:
- Industrial Waste: Factories and industrial sites often discharge toxic chemicals and pollutants into nearby water bodies without proper treatment, contaminating freshwater systems and harming aquatic life
- Agricultural Activities: Runoff from farms carries fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste into water bodies, leading to nutrient pollution (eutrophication), algal blooms, and oxygen depletion in aquatic ecosystems
- Sewage and Wastewater: Untreated or inadequately treated domestic sewage and wastewater introduce pathogens, organic matter, and chemicals into water, causing health hazards and pollution
- Oil Spills and Leaks: Accidental spills from ships, offshore drilling, or storage tanks release oil and harmful chemicals, severely impacting marine and freshwater environments
- Improper Waste Disposal: Dumping of solid waste, plastics, and hazardous materials into water bodies leads to physical and chemical pollution, affecting wildlife and water quality
- Atmospheric Deposition: Pollutants from the air, including acid rain and airborne chemicals, deposit into water bodies, causing acidification and contamination
- Urban Runoff: Runoff from urban areas carries oil, heavy metals, detergents, and other pollutants from roads, parking lots, and roofs into water systems
- Climate Change and Global Warming: Increased temperatures reduce oxygen levels in water, while altered precipitation patterns can increase pollutant runoff
- Deforestation: Removal of forests leads to soil erosion and organic residues entering water bodies, fostering bacterial growth and reducing water quality
In summary, water pollution arises from industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, sewage, oil spills, waste dumping, atmospheric pollutants, urban runoff, and environmental changes like climate change and deforestation