THE BIGGEST

Water Pollution Guide

Welcome to the Water Pollution Guide, where you can find useful information about the sources of water pollution and how they can be treated.

Types of Water Pollution

Causes of Water Pollution

WHAT DRIVES US

Our Mission

Water covers over 70% of the Earth’s surface and is a very important resource for people and the environment. Water pollution affects drinking water, rivers, lakes and oceans all over the world. This consequently harms human health and the natural environment. Here you can find out more about water pollution and what you can do to prevent it.

Types of Water Pollution

Causes of Water Pollution

Prevention of Water Pollution

What are the

Dangers of Water Pollution

Dangers to our Health

Virtually all types of water pollution are harmful to the health of humans and animals. Water pollution may not damage our health immediately but can be harmful after long term exposure. Different forms of pollutants affect the health of animals in different ways: Read More…

Dangers to our Economy

Water pollution can be damaging to the economy as it can be expensive to treat and prevent contamination. Waste that does not break down quickly accumulates in the Earth’s waters and eventually makes its way to the oceans. Water pollution can be prevented by stopping pollutants from contaminating nearby waters. There are a number of water treatments to prevent pollution such as: Read More…

Dangers to our Environment

There are many different types of water pollution and all have a different adverse effect on the environment. Heavy metals from industrial processes can accumulate in nearby lakes and rivers. These are toxic to marine life such as fish and shellfish, and can affect the rest of the food chain. This means that entire animal communities can be badly affected by this type of pollutant. Read More…

Water Pollution Treated

Prevention of Water Pollution

Industrial water treatment Before raw sewage can be safely released back into the environment, it needs to be treated correctly in a water treatment plant. In a water treatment plant, sewage goes through a number of chambers and chemical processes to reduce the amount...

Prevent Water Pollution

Prevention of Water Pollution

What Can You Do? If you want to help keep our waters clean, there are many things you can do to help. You can prevent water pollution of nearby rivers and lakes as well as groundwater and drinking water by following some simple guidelines in your everyday life....

Eutrophication and Water Pollution

Causes of Water Pollution

Eutrophication is when the environment becomes enriched with nutrients. This can be a problem in marine habitats such as lakes as it can cause algal blooms. Fertilisers are often used in farming, sometimes these fertilisers run-off into nearby water causing an...

Global Warming and Water Pollution

Causes of Water Pollution

An increase in water temperature can result in the death of many aquatic organisms and disrupt many marine habitats. For example, a rise in water temperatures causes coral bleaching of reefs around the world. This is when the coral expels the microorganisms of which...

Atmospheric Water Pollution

Causes of Water Pollution

Atmospheric deposition is the pollution of water caused by air pollution. In the atmosphere, water particles mix with carbon dioxide sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, this forms a weak acid. Air pollution means that water vapour absorbs more of these gases and...

Underground Storage Leakages

Causes of Water Pollution

A tank or piping network that has at least 10 percent of its volume underground is known as an underground storage tank (UST). They often store substances such as petroleum, that are harmful to the surrounding environment should it become contaminated. Many UST’s...

Oil Pollution in Water

Causes of Water Pollution

Oceans are polluted by oil on a daily basis from oil spills, routine shipping, run-offs and dumping. Oil spills make up about 12% of the oil that enters the ocean. The rest come from shipping travel, drains and dumping. An oil spill from a tanker is a severe problem...

Nuclear Waste and Water Pollution

Causes of Water Pollution

Nuclear waste is produced from industrial, medical and scientific processes that use radioactive material. Nuclear waste can have detrimental effects on marine habitats. Nuclear waste comes from a number of sources: Operations conducted by nuclear power stations...

Industrial Water and Water Pollution

Causes of Water Pollution

Industry is a huge source of water pollution, it produces pollutants that are extremely harmful to people and the environment. Many industrial facilities use freshwater to carry away waste from the plant and into rivers, lakes and oceans. Pollutants from industrial...

Marine Dumping & Water Pollution

Causes of Water Pollution

Dumping of litter in the sea can cause huge problems. Litter items such as 6-pack ring packaging can get caught in marine animals and may result in death. Different items take different lengths of time to degrade in water: Cardboard – Takes 2 weeks to degrade....

Sewage and Wastewater Pollution

Causes of Water Pollution

Domestic households, industrial and agricultural practices produce wastewater that can cause pollution of many lakes and rivers. Sewage is the term used for wastewater that often contains faeces, urine and laundry waste. There are billions of people on Earth, so...

Chemical Water Pollution

Types Of Water Pollution

Industrial and agricultural work involves the use of many different chemicals that can run-off into water and pollute it. Metals and solvents from industrial work can pollute rivers and lakes. These are poisonous to many forms of aquatic life and may slow their...

Suspended Matter

Types Of Water Pollution

Some pollutants do not dissolve in water as their molecules are too big to mix between the water molecules. This material is called particulate matter and can often be a cause of water pollution. The suspended particles eventually settle and cause a thick silt at...

Microbiological water pollution

Types Of Water Pollution

Microbiological water pollution is usually a natural form of water pollution caused by microorganisms. Many types of microorganisms live in water and cause fish, land animals and humans to become ill. Microorganisms such as: Bacteria Viruses Protozoa Serious diseases...

Nutrients and their Effect on Water

Types Of Water Pollution

Nutrients are essential for plant growth and development. Many nutrients are found in wastewater and fertilisers, and these can cause excess weed and algae growth if large concentrations end up in water. This can contaminate drinking water and clog filters. This can...

Groundwater Pollution

Types Of Water Pollution

A lot of the Earth’s water is found underground in soil or under rock structures called aquifers. Humans often use aquifers as a means to obtain drinking water, and build wells to access it. When this water becomes polluted it is called groundwater pollution....

Oxygen Depleting Water Pollution

Types Of Water Pollution

Microorganisms that live in water feed on biodegradable substances. When too much biodegradable material is added to water, the number of microorganisms increase and use up the available oxygen. This is called oxygen depletion. When oxygen levels in the water are...

Surface Water Pollution

Types Of Water Pollution

Surface waters are the natural water resources of the Earth. They are found on the exterior of the Earth’s crust and include: Oceans Rivers Lakes These waters can become polluted in a number of ways, and this is called surface water pollution. Types of Water Pollution...