Question

Answer the following question in about 150 words.

Describe the nature of water pollution in India.

Answer 1

Water pollution is the addition of unwanted, harmful material to water, rendering it unfit for human use and degrading the flora and fauna around it. Indiscriminate use of water by a growing population and industrial expansion has led to considerable degradation of water quality. Surface water available from rivers, canals, lakes, etc., is never pure. It contains small quantities of suspended particles, organic and inorganic substances. When the concentration of these substances increases, the water becomes polluted and hence becomes unfit for use. In such a situation, the water’s self-purifying capacity is unable to purify it.

Water pollutants are also generated by natural sources (erosion, landslides, decay and decomposition of plants and animals, etc.). Pollutants from human sources are the real cause of concern. Human beings pollute the water through industrial, agricultural, and cultural activities. Among these activities, the industry is the most significant contributor. Industries produce several undesirable products, including industrial waste, polluted wastewater, toxic gases, chemical residues, heavy metals, dust, and smoke. Most industrial waste is disposed of into running water or lakes. Consequently, toxic substances reach reservoirs, rivers, and other water bodies, destroying the ecosystems of these waters. Major water-polluting industries are leather, pulp and paper, textiles, and chemicals.

Various chemicals used in modern agriculture, such as inorganic fertilisers, pesticides, and herbicides, are also sources of pollution. These chemicals are washed down to rivers, lakes, and tanks. These chemicals also infiltrate the soil to reach the groundwater. Fertiliser increases the nitrate content of surface waters. Cultural activities such as pilgrimages, religious fairs, and tourism also cause water pollution. In India, almost all surface water sources are contaminated and unfit for human consumption. Also, the overutilization of groundwater resources in India has led to groundwater depletion and increased the concentration of Arsenic in many parts of West Bengal and Bihar.

Domestic waste, including sewage and other household waste, also contributes to water pollution. Water pollution is a source of various water-borne diseases. Diseases commonly caused by contaminated water include diarrhoea, intestinal worms, and hepatitis. The World Health Organisation reports that about one-fourth of communicable diseases in India are waterborne.