(a) What is water pollution? (b) Highlight any three causes of water pollution. (c) Outline three effects of water pollution. (d) List any two measures that...

Answer Details

(a) What is water pollution?

Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies (rivers, lakes, seas and underground water) with harmful substances that make the water dirty, unsafe and unfit for drinking, farming, aquatic life or other uses.

(b) Three causes of water pollution

• Discharge of untreated sewage and domestic waste into water bodies.
• Release of industrial effluents and chemicals from factories.
• Oil spillage from tankers, pipelines and oil fields.
• Run-off of agricultural fertilisers and pesticides, and dumping of refuse in water.

(c) Three effects of water pollution

• It causes water-borne diseases such as cholera, typhoid and dysentery in humans.
• It kills fish and other aquatic organisms, reducing the fishing industry.
• It makes water unfit for drinking, irrigation and domestic use, raising the cost of water treatment.
• It damages the ecosystem and can cause loss of biodiversity.

(d) Two control measures

• Treat sewage and industrial effluent before it is released into water bodies.
• Enforce anti-pollution laws and penalise offenders.
• Prevent and quickly clean up oil spills, and provide proper waste-disposal systems, plus public enlightenment.