Water pollution occurs when a body of water becomes contaminated, usually by chemicals or microorganisms. Water pollution can cause water to become toxic to humans and the environment. Water is an essential resource for all life on Earth. If a water source becomes contaminated due to pollution, it can lead to health issues in humans, such as cancer or cardiovascular conditions. This article explores the causes of water pollution, how it can affect human health, and what people can do to help prevent it. Water is a natural resource that all living creatures require. Clean water is also used in manufacturing and for social and economic development. However, according to the United Nations (UN), 2.2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water services. The UN and the World Health Organization (WHO) Trusted Source list the following statistics on water pollution: · Over half the global population do not have safely managed sanitation services. · Around 2 billion people live in countries with high levels of water stress, meaning the amount of water available is less than the amount required. · Experts estimate that by 2025, half the world's population will live in a water- stressed environment. · Around 785 million people do not have basic drinking-water services. · Since the 1990s, water pollution has worsened in almost all rivers in Asia, Latin America, and Africa.
Sources of water pollution Water is sometimes referred to as the universal solvent, as it dissolves more substances than any other liquid. However, this ability means that water is easily prone to pollution. Below are just some of the many ways that water pollution can occur. Sewage and wastewater After being used, water becomes wastewater. Wastewater can be domestic, such as water from toilets, sinks, or showers, or from commercial, agricultural, or industrial use. Wastewater also refers to rainwater that washes oil, grease, road salt, debris, or chemicals from the ground into waterways. The UN estimates that 80% of wastewater returns to the ecosystem without being treated or reused. In 2017, the UN found that 2 billion people worldwide did not have access to facilities such as toilets or latrines. The organization also discovered that 673 million people openly defecate outside. Agriculture The agriculture industry is one of the biggest consumers of fresh water. In the U.S., it is responsible for around 80% of the nation's water consumption. Agriculture is also the main source of pollution in rivers and streams in the U.S.
One way that agriculture causes water pollution is through rainwater. When it rains, pollutants, such as fertilizers, animal waste, and pesticides get washed from farms into waterways, contaminating the water. Contaminates from agriculture usually contain high amounts of phosphorous and nitrogen, which encourage the growth of algal blooms. These blooms produce toxins that kill fish, seabirds, and marine mammals, as well as harming humans. Additionally, when these algal blooms die, bacteria produced as the algae decompose use up oxygen in the water. This lack of oxygen causes "dead zones" in the