MAIN CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF WATER POLLUTION
The causes and effects of water pollution
Water pollution is the process whereby the quality of water is deteriorated in terms of
color, turbidity, toxicity, pH, taste, temperature or suspended solids. This depletion of water
quality is caused by a number of factors and it affects human, animal and plant life. This essay
looks to identify the main causes and effects of water pollution.
The causes of water pollution are grouped into point source and nonpoint source
pollutants (Weiner & Matthews, 2003). Point source pollutants enter watercourses through
designated pipes, channels and drainage systems. They majorly come from industrial facilities
and wastewater treatment plants. Nonpoint pollutants originate from flows associated with rain.
Runoff from rain carries with it dissolved and suspended material from the watershed into
natural watercourses. The human activities in the watershed define the type of nonpoint source
pollutants. The major sources of nonpoint source categories include agricultural activities,
construction, urban runoff and mining.
The main effect of water pollution is the deterioration of water quality (Weiner & Matthews,
2003). The specific effects depend on the type of pollutants. Water pollution, in general, poses a
threat to human, plant and animal life. Polluted water is harmful to human beings since it can
cause and spread waterborne diseases for instance cholera, typhoid and dysentery. Plant life is
affected in that plants die off when they take up polluted water. Animal life, both terrestrial and
aquatic, is threatened by polluted water. Animals die or get sick when they consume polluted
water whereas aquatic life can’t survive in it.
In conclusion, both natural and human activities have led to water pollution rendering water unfit
for use. However, several measures are in place to mitigate and prevent water pollution.
