A water contaminant is a substance which is found in water that has the potential to pose a risk to public health at certain levels. Some contaminants occur naturally in the environment and seep into water sources through erosion. Unfortunately, many of the contaminants found in water are a result of human activities — the industrial wastes from factories, refineries, mines and mills all contain harmful substances which can contaminate water sources.
Agriculture also plays a part in the contamination of water. Many chemicals used in agriculture can leach into the water system. In terms of microbiological contaminants, many of them are found in human and animal biological waste. For this reason, water sources located too close to agricultural livestock may also become contaminated. Water pollution is an imperative concern, due to the increasing use of contaminants such as fertilizers and pesticides and people’s tendency to use the water resource without any concern or consideration.
Water pollution negatively impacts our drinking water, the animal habitat and wildlife, and our overall quality of life. Continuing to use water in this way will lead to contamination that will make the existence of clean water impossible. Since water is capable of dissolving or […]
Full article: Effects of contaminated water
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