Environmental Pollution | Class 12 Geography Notes

Water Pollution

Water pollution occurs when the concentration of pollutants in water bodies increases beyond their natural self-purifying capacity, rendering the water unfit for human use and aquatic life. Surface water from rivers, lakes, and canals naturally contains small amounts of suspended particles and organic and inorganic substances. However, human activities have significantly increased these concentrations.

Major sources of water pollution include:

• Industrial effluents: Industries such as leather, pulp and paper, textiles, and chemicals release untreated waste containing heavy metals, toxic chemicals, and organic matter into water bodies.
• Agricultural runoff: Use of inorganic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides leads to chemical residues washing into rivers and lakes, increasing nitrate and pesticide levels.
• Domestic sewage: Urban centers discharge untreated sewage containing organic waste, pathogens, and nutrients.
• Cultural activities: Pilgrimage, religious fairs, and tourism contribute to pollution through waste disposal and ritual offerings.

Water pollution causes serious health problems including water-borne diseases such as diarrhoea, intestinal worms, and hepatitis. According to the World Health Organization, about one-fourth of communicable diseases in India are water-borne.

The Ganga and Yamuna rivers are among the most polluted in India. Table 9.2 in the textbook highlights polluted stretches and main polluters. For example, the Ganga downstream of Kanpur is heavily polluted by industrial waste from Kanpur and other cities. The Yamuna from Delhi to its confluence with the Chambal receives large quantities of domestic and industrial waste from Delhi.

To combat water pollution, the Government of India launched the National Mission for Clean Ganga and the Namami Gange Programme. Objectives include developing sewage treatment infrastructure, monitoring industrial effluents, riverfront development, afforestation along riverbanks, cleaning river surfaces, developing 'Ganga Grams' in states along the river, and creating public awareness to prevent pollution.

Water pollution is a critical environmental and public health issue requiring integrated management of industrial, agricultural, and domestic sources.

📊 Diagram: Fig.9.1 depicts foam on the Yamuna river near New Delhi caused by pollution from industrial and domestic effluents.

🔗 Connection: Leads to the next section on Air Pollution, highlighting another major environmental pollution type.