Question

Explain why it is harmful to discharge untreated sewage into rivers or seas.

Answer 1

• Sewage contains various contaminants, including disease-causing bacteria and other microbes. If untreated sewage is discharged into rivers or seas, the water in those rivers or seas will also become contaminated.
• If this contaminated water is used for drinking, then it can cause diseases such as cholera, typhoid, dysentery, etc. which may lead to death. That is why it is harmful to discharge untreated sewage into rivers or seas.
• Sewage is a liquid containing wastes disposed of by households, industrial, and agricultural activities in the water. Discharging untreated sewage into rivers or seas can pollute the whole source of water.
• Sewage contains harmful substances and disease-causing organisms. Therefore, it is dangerous to release untreated sewage into the water.