Water Pollution

1. What is water pollution?

Water Pollution is the contamination and toxification of water mainly due to

chemicals being exposed to bodies of water or because of the presence of
pollutant microorganisms. It occurs when harmful substances often chemicals or
microorganisms—contaminate a stream, river, lake, ocean, aquifer, or other body
of water, degrading water quality and rendering it toxic to humans or the
environment.

2. Sources of water pollution.

There are many causes for water pollution but two general categories exist:
direct and indirect contaminant sources.

Direct sources include effluent outfalls from factories, refineries, waste treatment
plants that emit fluids of varying quality directly into urban water supplies. In the
United States and other countries, these practices are regulated, although this
doesn't mean that pollutants can't be found in these waters.

Indirect sources include contaminants that enter the water supply from
soils/groundwater systems and from the atmosphere via rain water. Soils and
ground waters contain the residue of human agricultural practices (fertilizers,
pesticides, etc.) and improperly disposed of industrial wastes. Atmospheric
contaminants are also derived from human practices (such as gaseous
emissions from automobiles, factories and even bakeries)

3. Common types of water pollutants.

There are several factors involved in water pollution, there is a wide range of
pollutants which range from small microscopic components, to global-scale
natural elements. These factors possess their own ways of polluting the
environment with each one having its own effects. Below are the general water
pollutants which have negative impacts on our hydrosphere:

Pathogens - The term “Pathogens” refer to microscopic elements. Pathogens can

be bacteria, protozoa/ viruses that are very common. Two common pathogenic
bacteria are coliform and E. coli bacteria. The coliform can be dangerous if it
increases in number, while the E. coli bacteria indicates that water is already
contaminated with animal/human waste.

Inorganic Material - Inorganic materials are usually derived from the non-living
resources such as rocks/ minerals but metals specifically heavy metals such as
mercury, copper, zinc and barium poses a major threat if they end up
concentrated in the water because the metal solubility increases and the metal
particles become more mobile. That is why metals are more toxic in soft waters
which contaminates the water and causes severe health problems and may even
result to death if the water is consumed.

Organic Material - Organic materials include wood from which furniture is made,
feathers, leather, and synthetic material such as plastic. These materials contain
molecules that have carbon in their makeup. A frequently organic chemical was
 detected known as methyl tert - butyl ether (MTBE). MTBE was formerly used in
air cleaning gas additive although it has been banned since it contaminated the
water due to the point that it can cause leukemia, lymphoma, and tumors in
testicles, thyroid glands and kidneys.

Macroscopic Pollutants - This is are the large, visible items in waterways or

bodies of water. This includes the large objects such as marine debris,
shipwrecks, trash, and plastic waste. Other types of microscopic pollution are the
small plastic pellets, pieces of wood, metal, and etc. This is an urgent
environmental issue that must be removed to avoid the disruption of aquatic
ecosystems and contamination of the water upon the chemical breakdown of the
objects.

4. Extent of water pollution in the Philippines.

The Philippines a country surrounded by various water such as the Luzon Strait,
the South China Sea, the Sulu Sea, the Celebes Sea and the Philippine Sea.
According to the United Nations, uncontrolled, rapid population growth has
contributed to extreme poverty, environmental degradation and pollution in
the Philippines. According to WEPA, water pollution’s effects cost the Philippines
approximately $1.3 billion annually. The government continues to try to clean up
the problem, implementing fines to polluters as well as environmental taxes, but
many problems have not been addressed. According to government monitoring
data, up to 58 percent of the groundwater tested was contaminated with coliform,
and approximately one third of illnesses monitored during a five-year period were
caused by water-borne sources. On its website, Greenpeace reports the water
pollution in the Philippines is mostly wastewater from the following sources:

1.  Industrial: The metal varies according to industry — lead, mercury, chromium,

cadmium and cyanide.

2.  Agricultural: Organic: decayed plants, dead animals, livestock manure, soil

runoff; and non-organic — pesticides and fertilizers.

3.  Domestic sewage: Contains pathogens that threaten human health and life.

4.  Other sources: Oil, mine or chemical spills and illegal dumping in or near
water.

One of the most alarming things Greenpeace reports is that out of the
Philippines’ 421 rivers, as many as 50 are considered dead and unable to
support any but the most robust life.

The Philippines needs to increase the awareness regarding the improvement of

sanitation and water pollution to reduce illnesses caused by water-born sources,
and act upon implementing these solutions (such as expanding sewerage
collection and treatment) since 31% of illnesses are caused by water borne
diseases.

5. What are the effects of water pollution on the human health and
environment?
 On Human Health:

Sources of freshwater continues to be damaged and destroyed, which means

that the pollution on water continues to grow even greater. Drinking untreated
water gives our body a negative reaction. As humans continue to interact with
freshwater in our daily lives since we are largely made up of water and we
require it in order to survive, we are actually exposed to various risk of disease,
illness, and may result to death as it is touched/consumed by the human. If
humans are exposed to the water pollution for long periods of time, then this
would result in dangerous health problems, which includes hormonal issues and
damage to the nervous system. The effects of water pollution on human life is
staggering, as soon as they drink the contaminated water for long periods of
time, the chance of diseases such as bacterial, viral, and parasitic diseases,
illnesses and even death rapidly grows. Drinking or making contact with dirty
water can cause:

- Vomiting or diarrhea
- A sick stomach
- Skin rashes
- Cancer (Leukemia after drinking dirty water)
- Reproductive problems (Such as problems in infertility after drinking the dirty
water)
- Developmental problems (Some disabilities may start to occur)

On Environment:

Water pollution also affects the health of the ecosystem in the aquatic life such
as the water animals which includes the various kinds of fishes. There are cases
in which the macroscopic pollutants destroy the habitats of different fishes due to
the toxic and chemicals it possess which would lead the death of numerous
species which would eventually lead to certain extinction of certain animals
making them endangered and disruption on the food chain in the aquatic life.
Another problem is that when fishes are infected by the different pollutants and
chemicals, the infections within it is passed over to the humans as we consume
the sick fish. If we consume food that is already infected, we are definitely going
to feel ill.

6. Ways on purifying water.

There are various water purification methods that are used today, and each
method has its merits and demerits. There are 5 basic methods which are:

Boiling - is the cheapest and safest method of water purification in cleaning water
from contaminations and bacteria. The process involves heating the water in a
container with high temperature. Boiling requires a lot of time and resources to
complete and is therefore not very desirable for many people. However, it might
be the best option when living in areas with no supply of treated water or as a
temporary option when other purification system gets exhausted.

Filtration - Filtration is one of the effective ways of purifying water. This method
uses chemical and physical processes to purify water and make it safe for human
consumption. Filtration eliminates both large compounds and small, dangerous
contaminants that cause diseases with a simple and quick filtration process.
Since filtration does not deplete all the mineral salts, water that has been filtered
 is considered healthier compared to water purified using other methods. It’s one
of the effective water purification methods that utilize chemical absorption
process that effectively removes unwanted compounds from water.

Distillation - Distillation is a water purification method that utilizes heat to collect

pure water in the form of vapour that utilizes evaporation and condensation to
separate impurities. Water is subjected to a heat source until it attains its boiling
point. It is then left at the boiling point until it vaporizes. This vapor is directed into
a condenser to cool. Upon cooling, vapor is reversed into liquid water that is
clean and safe for drinking.

Chlorination - Chlorine is a powerful chemical that has been in use for many
years to treat water for home consumption. Chlorine is an effective water
purification method that kills germs, parasites and other disease-causing
organisms found in ground or tap water. Water can be purified using chlorine
tablets or liquid chlorine. When using chlorine tablets, it is important to apply
them in heated water, as they dissolve well in water that is at 21 degree Celsius
or higher. Chlorine tablets kill all bacteria leaving your water clean and safe.

Iodine - Using iodine-based methods to purify water is common. Such methods

include iodine tablets, iodine solution and Polar Pure Water Disinfectant. 

7. Sources:

Water Conservation & Protection - Boulder County. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.bouldercounty.org/environment/water/water-conservation-and-
protection/

Watcher, R. (n.d.). Protecting Our Water - Top 10 Ways to Protect and Conserve
Groundwater. Retrieved from

http://www.wdhopperwaterwells.com/protecting_our_water.php

Water Pollutants

List of Water Pollutants. (2018, January 30). Retrieved from

https://sciencing.com/list-water-pollutants-6309497.html

Sources of Water Pollution. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.gdrc.org/uem/water/water-pollution.html

4 Methods to Purify Your Water. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.schultzsoftwater.com/blog/4-methods-to-purify-your-wa

Denchak, M. (2018, August 24). Water Pollution: Everything You Need to Know.
Retrieved from https://www.nrdc.org/stories/water-pollution-everything-you-need-
know

Marrone, R. (2018, February 28). Water Pollution in the Philippines: Causes and
Solutions. Retrieved from http://www.borgenmagazine.com/water-pollution-in-
the-philippines/