Water is essential for life and no matter who or what you are, if you want to survive, you have to consume it. Water makes up 70% of this planet, and 97 % of that is salt water. Out of the 3% that is fresh, and able to be consumed, only a third of that we have access too. But humans have been polluting that water at an outstanding rate, and eventually not every human will have access and many will perish. The pollution is classified into two major categories, Point and Non-Point Sources. These sources are classified based on their causes, and both have detrimental effects on the environment. To begin, let’s discuss these types of pollution.
The Classifications
To begin, water pollution is classified into two main spectrums.
Scientists and specialists classify the pollution based on the source itself. If the pollution comes from one single source, it is a called Point-Source Pollution. 
An example, like the image to the right, would be a sewage pipe emptying into a freshwater source.If the pollution comes from multiple sources it is called Nonpoint-Source Pollution, an example would be polluted runoff from agricultural areas contaminating a river. The picture above shows a few types of this kind of pollution.
The Methods of Detection
Secondly,
these types of pollution can be detected many different ways. Contaminated water is detected most precisely in laboratories,like the one to the left, where scientists can take different samples of measure and they are analyzed for specific contaminants. Using computer models, scientists can also determine what dangers there can be in certain marine environments. They import the data they have collected on a specific area and the computer measures if the water has any impurities or a chance for serious pollution. A much less precise detection that is used is utilizing living organisms for detection of pollutants. Changes in normal behavior or growth shows 
that the water in that specific habitat is tainted. Specific properties of these organisms can give information on the sort of pollution in their environment.You and I could also tell if water is contaminated, without any tests or experiments. If there is a dead zone in an area, obviously something is wrong. Also if there is a weird taste, or if the water appears different or unsanitary, the water is most likely contaminated. If the water feels oily, or leaves the hands feeling coated, there is something wrong with the water.
The Causes
There are dozens of reasons for water contamination. Oil pollution, including mass spills, which is a point source and smaller leaks from cars and boats are all contributing, which is an
example of nonpoint pollution. The dumping of sewage and wastewater into rivers and oceans is a major cause. Industrial factories release water and toxins into streams, rivers, and oceans. Atmospheric pollution is even affecting our water sources; acid rain and atmospheric deposition can contaminate the water. Other pollutants are: eutrophication, marine dumping, radioactive waste, underground storage leakages, and even global warming. All of these are also examples of nonpoint pollution. However, the cause of all of this is the capitalistic mind of man.The Effects
Contaminated water is affecting every living organism on this planet, including humans. Organic matter and nutrients cause an increase in aerobic algae and depletes oxygen from the water column. This suffocates fish and other aquatic organisms, creating what we call
a Dead Zone, the picture to the left is a dead give away of a dead zone. Sulfate particles from acid rain can harm the health of marine life in the rivers and lakes it contaminates, and can result in mortality. Suspended particles in freshwater reduces the quality of drinking water for animals that drink from the source and the aquatic environment for marine life. Suspended particles can often reduce the amount of sunlight penetrating the water, disrupting the growth of photosynthetic plants and microorganisms. Discarded or lost fishing gear (Such as line, rope, and nets) and certain trash items can entangle marine animal’s fins or flippers, causing drowning or painful and slow amputation. Marine debris can also degrade coral reefs, sea grass beds, and other aquatic habitats.The Measures After Detection
When pollution is detected, it should be met with a quick and effective technique. If pollution cannot be taken care of preemptively, than it must be saved before
too many lives are lost. The best way to clean water is through Industrial treatment, this is a fast and simple way to clean basic pollutants in a very large quantity. In the photo to the right, there is an example of a water treatment plant. Also storing waste in septic tanks is a smart way to clean waste and store it for later. Through a process called Denitrification, scientists are able to remove nitrogen and store it as a gas for other uses. Another way is to treat water is using the Ozone wastewater treatment. Every day researchers are looking for new and better ways to clean water.The Risks
Polluted water brings about many risks for the human body and its health. Disease and other hazards often come from long term or frequent exposure to contaminated water. Several factors that cause water pollution also cause disease and have adverse effects on the humans that consume them.
Untreated sewage water, for example can contaminate the water in an environment and be consumed by humans. The result of this would be sickness, such as diarrhea. Sewage can produce microbial pollutants that can lead to infectious diseases. The diseases can affect the organisms living in the water source as well as the terrestrial organisms that drink the water. Microbial pollution is becoming a major problem in the developing world. This pollution has been recorded to cause diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever. Typhoid fever is the primary cause of infant mortality. Industrial processes can also pollute the water. The pollution from these processes can be heavy metals like lead. They can be consumed by marine organisms and subsequently consumed by humans. These metals can stunt a person’s development and can result in birth defects. Some of these metals can also be carcinogenic which would contribute to causing cancer. Industrial waste also contains other toxic compounds that are harmful to humans. These toxins can have mild effects and even lead to fatalities. Some specific effects that the toxins can have are immune suppression, reproductive failure, and acute poisoning.The Methods of Prevention
The world’s population as a whole can avoid health risks that are born from water pollution. These methods must be done as one effort in an attempt to save planet
Earth and the human population. Steps to prevent water pollution involve conserving water. Turning tap water when it is not immediately being used can conserve water. Turning off the water can help to prevent water shortages and it reduces the amount of contaminated water that needs to be treated. Also, be careful of what you throw down your sink or toilet. Do not throw paints, oils, or other forms of litter down the drain. Use environmentally friendly household products such as washing powder, household cleaning agents and toiletries. Take care not to overuse pesticides and fertilizers. This will prevent runoff of the material into nearby water sources. By having more plants in your garden you can prevent those fertilizers, pesticides and contaminated water from running off into nearby water sources. Another important, and obvious method of prevention, is not throwing litter into rivers, lakes or oceans. Help clean up any litter you see on beaches or in rivers and lakes and make sure it is safe to collect the litter and put it in a nearby dustbin.Environmental Factors
Africa
In the dry savannahs or scorching deserts in Africa, water sources (let alone clean water sources) aren’t very common.
A small river or a tiny lake may be all a poor community has to live off of. Regardless of whether it is sanitary or not, these people have to use this water to survive. Women are cleaning their babies with contaminated water and making them susceptible to water-related diseases and are putting unwanted bacteria into their child’s body. These African people are unknowingly slowly infecting themselves which could be fatal.America
In America, people take most of their neighborly water sources for granted
and as a result, pollute them. Local beaches, oceans, lakes, and rivers become polluted in to a point that even if it is freshwater, it cannot be used. This causes a decrease in available sources; therefore when a clean freshwater source is found, it is vastly overexploited. This overexploitation adds to the problem of decreasing available sources and puts more stress on future generation for water.Cultural Beliefs
Africa
Urbanization is increasing in the Sadc region and water experts say most cities have not been
able to develop the basic utilities for water and environmental services (solid waste disposal systems, sewage treatment and industrial pollution control) to keep pace with the rapid growth. African cities are in such high demand for proper housing, electronics, and ultimately a stable community, which is resulting in ignorance for water treatment facilities. They are becoming overloaded and facing serious difficulties in handing the increasing volumes of wastewater generated by the increasing urban population.America
In one week, a typical cruise ship generates 210,000 gallons of sewage;
1,000,000 gallons of "gray water" from showers, sinks, dishwashers and clothes washers; 37,000 gallons of oily bilge water; more than eight tons of solid waste; and toxic wastes from onboard operations like dry cleaners and photo processing laboratories. Demand for leisure activities and vacations have resulting in the huge industry of cruise ships. These cruise ships are giving Americans the chance to sleep, dine, and have fun at the sea while stopping at ports to see beautiful sites. What seemed like a great idea has turned into a water contaminating monster.
Socioeconomic Considerations
America
Pollution from agriculture may include animal feeding operations, animal waste treatment lagoons, or storage, handling, mixing, and cleaning areas for pesticides, fertilizers, and petroleum. And if we ended up stopping production of such products not only would thousands of jobs be lost but production of crops would slow, and millions would go starving.Africa
The first contributor to water pollution in Africa is the mining organizations and
farmers. Many of the mines are polluting the water with their waste and there is very little being done to control this. Farmers are asked not to plant on the land that is within 30 or 40m of the waterways such as rivers and numerous wetlands. This informal law is notfrequently followed by the farmers that know that the Western Cape Department of Agriculture only has two inspectors that work to enforce this.Question 1 Citations
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