Water Pollution

Water pollution is the contamination of water with harmful substances, which can come in a variety of forms, including physical and chemical. Pollution can spell out danger for the ecosystem or the people who drink it. Approximately 1 in 3 people lack safe drinking water in the world, and this can mean serious health issues. That is why it is important to educate others about clean water and do all we can to fix it.

Water can be easily contaminated because of its properties. A universal solvent, water can dissolve and diffuse toxic substances easily, causing it to be contaminated. Common pollutants include oil, fertilizer, sewage, and industrial waste. Water in our world is progressively worsening, and for reference, fewer than 20% of the world’s drainage basins contain pristine water quality. In areas such as Asia, Africa, and Latin America, pollution in rivers has only gotten worse since the 1990s, with a third of their rivers being severely contaminated with pathogens.

Water pollution can have unprecedented effects on almost all the organisms on Earth if we aren’t too careful. Every year, 1.8 billion people are drinking water contaminated by feces, putting them at risk of dangerous diseases. Not only humans but marine organisms as well. Over the last 100 years, we have lost a significant amount of freshwater species, and by 2050, the number of lakes with harmful algal blooms will increase by at least 20%. We must work together to avoid this from happening for the general health of the world.

Right now, no matter how big or small, we can strive to make an impact on water problems. We can try to not use plastic as much, or reuse or recycle it if needed. We can make sure not to let any harmful chemicals or oils go down the drain.  We can limit or use of bleach and detergent. We can buy environmentally safe products if possible. We can take action of any size to help better our world and prevent water contamination.