My Opinion on Water Pollution Essay Example

another type of water pollution. When too much biodegradable substances get into water bodies, they encourage the growth of microorganisms. The aerobic organisms will use up all the oxygen and eventually die. The anaerobic organisms will benefit from that and they will grow in excess (Paul & Judy 231). These anaerobic organisms will produce ammonia and sulfides. Ammonia and sulfides are toxic substances in the water bodies and will have adverse effects in the water.
Water pollution does not just occur by itself out of nothing. There are some major causes of water pollution, which make the water contaminated. Oil spills cause pollution of water. Oils being transported by tankers spill into water bodies at times. Oils cannot be dissolved into the water and so they form a layer on the surface of the water (Vörösmarty et al 560). This makes the water unfit for human and animal use.

Vörösmarty et al (560) posits that industrial waste released into water bodies cause water pollution. When untreated sewage waste is released into the water, then the water will definitely be polluted. Industrial wastes usually have toxic chemicals, which are harmful to the water animals and also to the humans who depend on the water body for survival. The letting of untreated industrial waste into the water bodies is called microbial pollution.

Houses usually have septic tanks outside the house to treat and release the sewage wastes. Non-developed communities usually release the sewage directly into the water bodies without treating them. These solid and liquid wastes when released into the water harm the water organisms and also encourage the growth of weeds and hyacinth in the water. The water also

becomes dirty and unhygienic in the environment (Olness 383).

Petroleum is usually stored underground transported in tubes underground. When these tubes become old, they develop rust and after sometime they have leakages. These leakages will cause pollution of underground water and even surface water as the leakages will grant the petroleum access to the underground water and the soil. If the soil gets into the surface water, then the surface water will also be polluted.
Careless ocean and marine dumping causes water pollution. Ignorant people dump paper, food, plastic, rubber, metallic and/or aluminum substances into the water (Olness 383). These substances are really harmful to the water and also the environment as they will make the water smelly and even dumpy. These have negative effects to our environment.

Atmospheric pollution also causes water pollution. When the atmosphere has sulphur (IV) oxide, it combines with nitrogen in the air to cause acid rain cThe acid rain ends up in the water bodies making it polluted and contaminated. This acid rain usually contains toxic substances that make the water dangerous for all the living organism.
The pollution of water has many effects to both humans and aquatic animals. Death of aquatic animals is the most primary effect of water

pollution. As per Paul & Judy (231), when oil spills, industrial wastes and even domestic wastes are dumped into the water bodies, they will interfere with the oxygen supply in the water and even directly poison the aquatic animals. This will make the animals in the water to die because of suffocation and poisoning.

Water pollution also affects the ecosystems (Paul & Judy 231). Ecosystem is the relationship between the living organisms in an

environment depending on each other. The ecosystems are destroyed when the water is polluted because the animals in the water e.g amphibians directly absorb water and in turn the chemicals directly though their skin. Pollution of the water will therefore endanger such animals and also generally the ecosystem.

The food chain is also disrupted when the water is polluted. Small animals in the water may eat the lead that is in the water. When this happens, the other aquatic animals like fish and shell fish will eat the small animals and in turn the lead. This chain will continue in the same trend poisoning the animals. This may end up in the diets of human beings.

One major effect of water pollution to humans is disease (Paul & Judy 229). When the water is contaminated, then it will have micro-organisms which are causative agents of waterborne diseases like cholera, bilharzia among others. These diseases are dangerous and have been reported to cause deaths in developing countries and even developed countries.

Pollution of water also has effects on the economy. One will be forced to spend so much in purchasing medication of waterborne diseases like cholera (Olness 383). This medication is expensive and it affects the family budget. Besides that, purchasing water treatment equipment is also expensive and cost ineffective. Water treatment equipment includes chemicals to purify the water.
There are many simple ways to prevent water pollution. Humans should avoid throwing wastes anyhow into the water bodies. They should also be well aware of where their sewage wastes are being disposed so that they don’t claim to be unaware that their sewage is being dumped into the water bodies

when they are untreated.

They should also use water sparingly to avoid wastage because the water will be released to the water bodies while untreated. Recycling of water should also be embraced to reduce water wastage that is laundry water can be used to flush the toilet or clean the house. Minimizing of the use of water will bring about reduced rate of water pollution.

Human beings should also avoid throwing chemicals, oils and medicines into the sinks or toilets. This is because if this water is released to the water bodies when it has traces of chemicals it will be harmful. Pesticides should also be used in amounts just enough to kill the pests in the crops. Excessive use of pesticides is hazardous to the soil and water bodies. Moreover, those living close to water bodies should be encouraged to grow trees around their houses. This will help prevent the erosion of the soil which possibly has chemicals into the water bodies close to them (Vörösmarty et al 560). Environmental friendly liquids should be embraced and adopted because they can help prevent the pollution of water.

The government should, in their power, come up with laws to regulate the disposal and management of wastes from schools, industries, hospitals and even homes. The citizens in turn should be patriotic enough to comply to the rules and laws set up by the government to help in the prevention of water pollution (Olness 383). The government should also educate its citizens on the dangers of water pollution. I believe that this is a very effective way because the citizens if they are well informed of the effects of water pollution

then they will be cautious not to cause water pollution.

The individuals should also try to reduce on their wastes by adopting methods like recycling of plastic containers. This will help a great deal because the containers will not be disposed off carelessly but rather they will be utilized for another reason.
In my opinion, water pollution is a problem but it can be prevented and done away with totally if everyone adopts the proposed methods of prevention of water pollution. It has proven to be more costly to treat causes of water pollution than prevent them. I hereby recommend in total confidence that to deal with the water pollution pandemic, everyone should practice hygiene measures to keep the water bodies around us safe from contamination. If we all do this, then water pollution will be a problem long forgotten in our society.

Works Cited

1. Olness, Alan. "Water quality: prevention, identification and management of diffuse pollution." Journal of Environmental Quality 24.2 (1995): 383-383.
2. Paul, Michael J., and Judy L. Meyer. "Streams in the urban landscape." Urban ecology. Springer US, 2008. 207-231.
3. Vörösmarty, Charles J., et al. "Global threats to human water security and river biodiversity." Nature 467.7315 (2010): 555-561.