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Of this only 3.5% is fresh water and remaining is in the oceans unfit for man.

So we humans and all the living beings on earth’s surface should rely only on this 3.5% of water.

But interestingly this sparse resource water is also getting polluted.

This pollution makes the water unfit to drink and also other uses of daily needs.

On the other hand, about 80% of body mass comprises of water. Without water, there can be no physiological process in the body. Hence, we need to drink water for survival.

Since this water directly enters the body, it decides the quality of health.

Medical experts are of opinion that most of the health issues can be solved by providing fresh and pure drinking water.

So, the drinking water we consume daily should be clean, free from pollution and other contaminants.

MAIN CAUSES OF WATER POLLUTION:

Water pollution largely occurs due to sewage flow into rivers, dumps into sea and also contamination of land and water due to toxic chemicals. But of all of them, it seems the main cause of water pollution is sewage eflux into rivers.

Rivers are the means by which most of the water is supplied for drinking in all parts of the world. Other sources like wells, bores, ponds, lakes etc. come in the second place and less reliable.

The river water is used for domestic purposes, agriculture, industrial usage.

But interestingly this river water is the prime source of water pollution.

Due to flux of industrial waste, rise in the automobiles oil usage and growth in population, the rivers are subjected to great deal of pollution.

Since rivers flow through multiple countries or states, polluting the river water at one place can affect the people on the next places of flow.

Also the river pollution leads to accumulation of large amounts of waste in the Sea’s and oceans. This greatly endangers life of marine animals.

CAUSES OF RIVER POLLUTION INCLUDE:

1. Human dumping: Due to human dumping of waste and other harmful substances in to river water directly. Since most of the towns and cities are beside rivers, the human waste is

2. Industrial waste release: Most industries release their processing waste into the rivers. This is an easy methods for them to get rid of waste. But by release of industrial sewage into river water there is severe pollution to the water.

3. Land water flow: Contamination during rains due to flow of rain water from contaminated land into rivers. In-case of floods where water from river flows over surrounding lands. This flow collects all the possible waste and dump into river.

4. Air pollution: The air pollution is formed by disposal of harmful gases into air. This pollution from air in-turn returns to ground through rains and contaminate ground water and river waters. This indicates that the pollution we create finally reaches us in one or other way.

5. Farm pollution: Farming is the industry which relies largely on river water. The river water is used for irrigation. But pesticides and other toxic chemicals are used by farmers to control diseases. These toxins reach the river canals which supply water the cities and towns ahead.

6. Improper Drainage system: Drainage system pollution, this is the form of water pollution where sewage and normal public water supply mix up. This is seen especially in cities where water is pumped from distant out places. This occurs when there is leakage of sewage water and mixing with that of pure water supplied by municipal water pipes.

This happens when both sewage draining pipes and pure water supply pipes are passing close to each other and there are some leaks in the pipes.

In course of travel in pipe lines, there are chances of any drainage system flowing nearby. This provides a chances of mixing of both waters leading to sewage water pollution. This is one of the prime reasons for infectious diseases caused due to water.

7. Groundwater contamination: Water on the land is absorbed by the soil. Along with water any chemicals or toxin on the land are also absorbed. This happens at places of heavy land pollution. These harmful substances on the land percolate into deep ground layers causing pollution. Thus there are many cases where ground water from bore-well were found to be harmful.

8. Plastic waste: Plastic is another threat adding to marine water pollution. Plastic pollution occurs due to accumulation of plastic waste for long in the seas beds as it is not decomposed fast. It is thought to be responsible for destruction of aquatic environment.

9. Due to fisheries: Fisheries is a part of agriculture but mainly depend on rivers. Many chemicals and drugs are used to enhance fish growth. But since these are collected with rivers. All the waste is flowed out into rivers.

10. Due to leakage of petroleum and other oils from vehicles etc on to the local roads. Even from mechanic sheds this is released. These petroleum wastes are mixed with ground and other water sources.

RIVER WATER POLLUTION PREVENTION:

1) Avoidance of dumping of human waste directly into the river water. This has to be taken as an individual responsibility by all.

2) Proper treatment of waste by industries before release into rivers. The waste must be detoxified and rendered harmless. The enactment of strict rules and laws can helps prevent this pollution.

3) Purification of water before using for cooking, drinking and other domestic purposes.

4) Maintenance of proper river banks and repair them when damaged.

Water is a part of our environment. If it is contaminated the whole of life on earth will be in trouble. Since humans are the sole reason for this water pollution, it is we who should care to reduce this pollution.