WATER POLLUTION IN INDIA

CAUSES

URBANIZATION

• Rapid urbanization in India in the last decade has caused a rise in environmental problems such as water supply, waste water and its collection, treatment and disposal. In urban areas, water is tapped for industrial and domestic use from rivers, lakes, ponds, wells, etc. Nearly 80% of the water collected for domestic use passes out as wastewater.

AGRICULTURAL RUNOFF AND IMPROPER AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES

• Traces of fertilizers and pesticides are wasted into the closest source of water at the onset of a monsoon or heavy rainfall. Even though irrigation has increased considerably in India, little has been done about the problem of the high salinity return water. In Haryana, a 40 km long drain pours 250,000 kg a day of chlorides into the Yamuna raising the chloride concentration in the water.

RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL PRACTICES

• Religious faith and social practices also add to the pollution of the river waters in India. Dead bodies are cremated on the river banks. Partially burned bodies are also thrown into the river. They do this in keeping with their religious faith and ancient rituals. Mass bathing in the river during religious festivals also contributes to the polluting of the rivers.

RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL PRACTICES

• Studies show that the BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) spikes when thousands of people take a "holy dip". Other religious practices involve a sacrifice of puja be immersed in the river, it is common to see people immersing these offerings in plastic bags which adds to the pollution in the rivers

EFFECTS

HEALTH ASPECTS OF WATER QUALITY

• Consumption of polluted water is a major cause of death in India. Consumption of polluted water causes diseases like cholera, dysentery, tuberculosis, jaundice, etc. 80% of stomach diseases in India are caused by drinking polluted water.

EFFECTS OF TOXIC POLLUTANTS ON WATER QUALITY

• Toxic pollutants mainly consist of metals, pesticides and other xenobiotic pollutants. The ability of water to support aquatic life as well as its domestic use depends on many elements.

EFFECTS OF TOXIC POLLUTANTS ON WATER QUALITY

• Some metals present in trace quantity are important for the body because they regulate many physiological functions of the body. While others cause severe toxicological effects on humans and the aquatic environment.

EFFECT OF THERMAL DISCHARGES ON WATER QUALITY

• The release of cooling water from factories and other industries can actually heat up the aquatic environment. Organisms can become stressed or even killed when exposed to the heated water.

SOLUTIONS

EDUCATION

• The first step in solving the problem is making people aware. People who are tired of walking on polluted beaches often organize a beach cleanup. Greater public awareness makes a positive difference.

ECONOMICS

• Most environmentalists agree on a principle called "the polluter pays" which simply states that whoever is responsible for the pollution should pay to clean it up. If we are to blame for our garbage and waste washing up in India's water supply, then we should pay to clean it up.

BUILDING WELLS

• Probably the most important way we could help is by building wells in countries like India. Start a collection in your community, your church or even your school to build a well in a country that needs fresh water.

BUILDING WELLS

• If everyone in the school gave $3, our school could build a well in India. Little things like that can make a huge difference in someone's life, it might even save it.

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