Water Pollution

1. THE MISSION

You are in the year 2050 and live in a kingdom. The condition of water bodies is deteriorating on daily basis. The condition is so worse that all the water bodies near the kingdom you reside are contaminated by 10 chemical industries established in the kingdom as they are continuously releasing chemicals onto the river system. Not only that, the people living in the kingdom are dumping wastes and excreta in the water, washing clothes and bathing in river leading to absolute loss of all forms of clean water and spread of water-borne diseases and contamination leading to death of all plants, animals and human life in the kingdom. Government has set a clock showing the fatal level and the kingdom will get destroyed once the fatality reaches the extreme level. Currently, it is in the danger zone. The industries and people should be stopped from dumping wastes in 30 minutes (~7 minutes’ game time) or else all the water bodies in the kingdom would be destroyed. In level 1, The player has to fight the rogues release by industries along the way to the industries so that you can shut them. In level 2, you have to set some rules for water prevention first and go village to village to create awareness about it keeping yourself protected from the rogues coming to stop you on the way to villages. Shut down all industries and spread the awareness in all villages of the kingdom to achieve highest score.

2. CONCEPTS

Water pollution occurs when harmful substances such as sewage, toxic chemicals, silt, etc., get mixed with water, the water becomes polluted. The substances that pollute water are called water pollutants.

1. Causes of water pollution

Main Causes of river pollution include:

1. Human dumping: Due to human dumping of waste and other harmful substances into river water directly, water bodies are affected.
2. Industrial waste release: Most industries release their processing waste into the rivers. This is an easy method for them to get rid of waste. But by the release of industrial sewage into river water there is severe pollution to the water.
3. Land Contamination: Contamination during rains due to the flow of rainwater from contaminated land into rivers. In case of floods where water from the river flows over surrounding lands. This flow collects all the possible waste and dumps it into the river.
4. Air pollution: Air pollution is formed by the disposal of harmful gases into the air. This pollution from air in-turn returns to the ground through rains and contaminates groundwater and river waters. This indicates that the pollution we create finally reaches us in one or another way.
5. Farm pollution: Farming is the industry which relies heavily 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 to the cities and towns ahead.
6. Improper Drainage system: Drainage system pollution, this is the form of water pollution where sewage and regular public water supply mix up. This is seen primarily in cities where water is pumped from distant 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 the course of travel in pipelines, there are chances of any drainage system flowing nearby. This provides a chance of mixing both of the water 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, chemicals or toxins on the land are also absorbed. This happens in places of heavy land pollution. These harmful substances on the land percolate into deep ground layers causing pollution. Thus there are many cases where groundwater from bore-well was found to be harmful.
8. Plastic waste: Plastic is another threat adding to marine water pollution. Plastic pollution occurs due to the accumulation of plastic waste for long in the seas beds as it is not decomposed fast. It is thought to be responsible for the destruction of the aquatic environment.
9. Fisheries: Fisheries are 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 flowed out into rivers.
10. 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 the ground and other water sources.

1. Effects of water pollution

1. River Ganga is one of the ten most endangered rivers in the world. Large quantities of garbage, untreated sewage, dead bodies, and many other harmful things are discharged into the river. All these have resulted in adverse conditions for the aquatic animals residing in the Ganga.
2. The harmful chemicals like arsenic, lead, etc. discharged by various industries have led to many bad effects like impure water, acidity changes in water, etc.
3. The usage of pesticides and weedicides in the field gets mixed with water bodies during rainfall. Indeed, this water seeps into the ground and has polluted groundwater too.
4. Various diseases like cholera, diarrhoea, jaundice, etc. results from water pollution.
5. Bacteria present in the faeces of mammals indicate the quality of water. If such faecal contaminated water is consumed, then it can cause many infections.

1. Ways to prevent water pollution

1. River Some plans can be implemented for polluted rivers like Ganga Action Plan was launched in 1985 with the aim of reducing pollution levels in rivers.
2. Industries must treat the waste before discharging them into waters.
3. At household level, candle type filters can be used. Moreover, water must be boiled for drinking as it kills the germs inside the water.
4. Chemical processes like chlorination can be used for treating water.
5. Laws for industrial units should be strictly implemented to stop the throwing of wastes in water.
6. Proper sewage treatment plan must be implemented.
7. The idea of reduce, reuse and recycle should be incorporated for prevention of water pollution.

1. 3R’s of prevention of water pollution

Each year, human beings generate millions of tons of wastes in the form of garbage, refuse, or trash. It is the wastage that we produce in our homes and communities.  These wastages are thrown out the water bodies, rivers and make the water contaminated. Each of us can make a difference by reducing, reusing, and recycling materials at home and throughout our communities and encouraging our neighbours to do the same.

• Reduce: Waste prevention reduces the generation of waste in the first place. So we should not create wastage by reducing the uses of goods.
  • While brushing your teeth, leaving the tap running may waste several litres of water. A tap that drips once every second wastes a few thousand litres of water every year. So we should reduce the water used for brushing teeth.
  • Purchasing durable, long-lasting goods.
  • Reduce the use of non-biodegradable materials like things made of plastic, disposals, polythene etc.
• Reuse: We can reuse the things in our daily routine work so that it will reduce the amount of wastage.
  • Reusing water used for washing and for other household tasks. For example, water used for washing vegetables may be used to water plants in the garden.
  • Refill bottles, Reuse boxes.
  • Reuse the cotton or jute bag instead of polythene carry bag.
  • Use empty jars into containers for leftover food.
• Recycle: Recycling prevents the generation of many greenhouse gases and water pollutants, and saves energy.
  • Materials made of plastic, paper, glass and metal should be recycled to make new items.
  • Using recycled material generates less solid waste.

We should realise our responsibility and start using environment-friendly processes for survival of our planet is in danger.