CHAPTER: IV:
PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL POLLUTION OF WATER.
4.1 INTRODUCTION:
The term water pollution has been used differently in various Indian Acts. Some
described it as ‘nuisance’, while others as ‘negligence’. ‘Fouling’ of water was also the
way of describing water pollution. In some enactments, water pollution was described as
‘poisoning’ of water. Some Acts described it as rendering water ‘less fit’ or ‘not fit’ for
consumption by human beings and animals. Interference with or alteration in flow of
water to carry away rubbish or causing water to be corrupted in any waterway so as to
endanger, damage or render it less useful, was another mode of explaining the term
‘water pollution’. ‘Discharge of oil’, ‘use of dynamite’ and ‘casting of blast’ carries the
same meaning.
All the 14 major rivers of the country, including Cooum, Ganga, Gomti, Cauvery,
Damodar and Mini Mahi have become polluted. The waters of Ganga, wich were once
considered sacred, are no longer so because of the discharge of sewage and industrial
effluents. The industrial effluents are considered more dangerous than the household
wastes1.
Water is cradle of life to protect this precious resource, one needs a stringent
enforcement system meant for its conservation, sanitation and supply. Environmental
laws are meant to set standards for what people and institutions must do to control or
prevent environmental pollution including water. After enactment it becomes of the job
of the central and state governments to make sure that those who are subject to these
environmental protection laws know what they must do to comply. In this case we have
designated central and State institutions called the Central and State Pollution Control
1
P.20 of the IUP Journal of Environmental & Healthcare Law, Vol.IX Nos. 1&2, January & April 2010,
by Jaspal Singh.
89
Boards respectively. Their primary role is the enforcement of the environmental
protection Act and its constituent statutory frame works dating back to the postStockholm environmental laws such as the water (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
Act, 1974.
Normally water is never pure in a chemical sense. It contains impurities of various
kinds – both dissolved and suspended. These comprise, dissolved gases, e.g., Hydrogen
Sulphide (H2S), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Ammonia (NH3), Nitrogen (N2), dissolved
minerals, e.g., salts of calcium, magnesium, sodium; suspended impurities, e.g., clay, silt
sand and mud; and microscopic organisms. These are the natural impurities derived from
the atmosphere, catchments’ area the soil but are in such a low concentration that they do
not pollute water normally; rather their presence is sometimes essential for maintaining
the potable and other useful properties of water. Polluted water are turbid, not pleasant
for drinking, sometimes smell bad, and are not suitable for bathing, washing or other
human activities. They are generally harmful and diseases like typhoid, dysentery and
Cholera spread through polluted water.
When toxic substances enter lakes, streams, rivers, oceans, and other water
bodies, they get dissolved or lie suspended in water or get deposited on the bed. This
results in the pollution of water whereby the quality of the water deteriorates, affecting
aquatic ecosystems. Pollutants can also seep down and affect the groundwater deposits.
Water pollution has many sources. The most polluting of them are the city sewage
and industrial waste discharged into the rivers. The facilities to treat waste water are not
adequate in any city in India. Presently, only about 10 percent of the waste water
generated is treated; the rest is discharged as it is into our water bodies. Due to this,
pollutants enter ground water, rivers, and other water bodies. Such water, which
ultimately ends up in our households, is often highly contaminated and carries disease –
causing microbes. Agriculture runoff or the water from the fields that drains into rivers,
is another major water pollutant as it contains fertilizers and pesticides.
90
Domestic Sewage:
Domestic sewage refers to waste water that is discarded from households. Also
referred to as sanitary sewage, such water contains a wide variety of dissolved and
suspended impurities. It amounts to a very small fraction of the sewage by weight. But it
is large by volume and contains impurities such as organic materials and plant nutrients
that tend to rot. The main organic materials are food and vegetable waste, plant nutrient
come from chemical soaps, washing powders etc. Domestic sewage is also very likely to
contain disease-causing microbes. Thus, disposal of domestic waste water is a significant
technical problem. Sewage generated from the urban areas in India has multiplied
manifold since 1947.
Today, many people dump their garbage into streams, lakes, rivers and seas, thus
making water bodies the final resting place of cans, bottles, plastics, and other household
products. The various substances that we use for keeping our houses clean add to water
pollution as they contain harmful chemicals. In the past, people mostly used soaps made
from animal and vegetable fats for all types of washing. But most of today’s cleaning
products are synthetic detergents and come from the petro chemical industry. Most
detergents and washing powders contain phosphates, which are used to soften the water
among other things. These and other chemicals contained in washing powders affect the
health of all forms of life in the water.
Agricultural Run-off:
The use of land for agriculture and the practices followed in cultivation greatly
affect the quality of ground water. Intensive cultivation of crops causes chemicals from
fertilizers (Nitrate) and pesticides to seep into the ground water, a process commonly
known as leaching. Routine applications of fertilizers and pesticides for agriculture and
indiscriminate disposal of industrial and domestic wastes are increasingly being
recognized as significant sources of water pollution. The high nitrate content in ground
water is mainly from irrigation run-off from agricultural fields where chemical fertilizers
have been used indiscriminately.
91
Industrial Effluents:
Waste water from manufacturing or chemical processes in industries contributes
to water pollution. Industrial waste water usually contains specific and readily
identifiable chemical compounds. During the last fifty years, the number of industries in
India has grown rapidly. But water pollution is concentrated within a few sub-sectors,
mainly in the form of toxic wastes and organic pollutants. Out of this a large portion can
be traced to the processing of industrial chemical and to the food products industry. In
fact, a number of large-and medium-sized industries in the region covered by the Ganga
Action Plan do not have adequate effluent treatment facilities. Most of these defaulting
industries are sugar mills, distilleries, leather processing industries, and thermal power
stations. Most major industries have treatment facilities for industrial effluents. But this is
not the case with small-scale industries, which cannot afford enormous investments in
pollution control equipment as their profit margin is very slender.
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD):
The amount of organic material that can rot in the sewage is measured by the
Biochemical Oxygen Demand. BOD is the amount of oxygen required by microorganisms to decompose the organic substances in sewage. Therefore, the more organic
material there is in the sewage, the higher the BOD. It is among the most important
parameters for the design and operation of sewage treatment plants. BOD levels of
industrial sewage may be many times that of domestic sewage. Dissolved oxygen is an
important factor that determines the quality of water in lakes and rivers. The higher
concentration of dissolved oxygen is the better the water quality. When sewage enters a
lake or stream, micro-organisms are being to decompose the organic materials. Oxygen is
consumed as micro-organisms use it in their metabolism. This can quickly deplete the
available oxygen in the water. When the dissolved oxygen levels drop too low many
aquatic species perish. In fact, if the oxygen level drops to zero, the water will become
septic. When organic compounds decompose without oxygen, it gives rise to the
undesirable odors usually associated with the septic or putrid conditions.
92
Eutrophication:2
When fresh water is artificially supplemented with nutrients, it results in an
abnormal increase in the growth of water plants. This is known as eutrophication. The
discharge of waste from industries, agriculture, and urban communities into water bodies
generally stretches the biological capacities of aquatic systems. Chemical run-off from
fields also adds nutrients to water. Excess nutrients cause the water body to become
choked with organic substances and organisms. When organic matter exceeds the
capacity of the micro-organism in water that break down recycle the organic matter,
it encourages rapid growth, or blooms, or algae. When they die the remains of the algae
add to the organic wastes already in the water; eventually, the water becomes deficient in
oxygen. Anaerobic organisms (those that do not require oxygen to live) then attack the
organic wastes, releases gases such as methane and hydrogen sulphide, which are harmful
to the oxygen requiring (aerobic) forms of life. The result is a foul-smelling, waste filled
body of water. This has already occurred in such places as Lake Erie and Baltic Sea and
is a growing problem in fresh water lakes all over India. Eutrophication can produce
problem such as bad tastes and odors as well as green scum algae. Also the growth of
rooted plants increases, which decreases the amount of oxygen in the deepest waters of
the lake. It also leads to the death of all forms of life in the water bodies.
Pollution causes damage to human, natural and economic resources, which leads
to negative externalities for the civil society. Various attempts have been made in India to
account and monetize the welfare losses causes by pollution. The manner in which the
civil society reacts to welfare loss varies significantly from place to place and time to
time. In developing countries like India, the responsibility of welfare loss was attributed
to the state, and pollution prevention policies were associated with state activitism.3 Of
100 drops of water in this planet only one drop is available for drinking purpose. While
the water covers three-fourth of the surface of the earth, only 1% is available for
drinking, agricultural and industrial purpose. This small part is contained in various water
2
3
Source: http://edugreen.teri.res.in/explore/water/pollu.htm
See, Icfai Journal of Environmental Law, Pollution Prevention in India, by P.K.Bay, Page.14, Vol. VI,
No.3, July, 2007.
93
bodies like lake, ponds, rivers, steams and aquifers. This water wealth in India is in
danger of being rendered unusable due to severe water pollution. There are three major
sources of water pollution, which are industrial waste, urban sewage and solid waste in
agricultural pollutants.
An industrial pollutant in water mainly occurs when water used in an industrial
process is discharged into a water body such as lake or river, which contain several
impurities and pollutants making unfit for human use. The principle pollutants are acids,
alkalis, carbohydrates, dyes, fats, suspended matters, oil and grease, toxic metals like
chromium or arsenic, pesticides and some radioactive materials. Urban sewage and solid
waste dump into a river or lake may contain all the elements of industrial pollutants. It
also contains an organic waste such as, food waste, dead animals and plants and excreta.
Agricultural pollutants are mainly the fertilizer and pesticide residue washed away by
rain into the water bodies and ground water.
The water pollution is measured by the total oxygen requirement necessary to
oxidize the polluting elements. This is known as the chemical oxygen demand.
Sometimes, it is important to measure the amount of oxygen needed to oxidize only the
biological pollutants. This is known as biological oxygen demand. Alkalinity is measured
by pH and suspended solid measures the volume of solid waste in water in the
undissolved form. The Central Pollution Control Board has drawn up a list of certain
industries, which are worse polluters. Top of the lists are petroleum refineries, paper
mills, wineries and textile mills. The river the Ganga from industrial, agricultural and
urban sources faced the most serious cases of water pollution.
4.2. NEED FOR PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS:
The magnitude and gravity of the environment degradation is increasing day by
day various natural processes, for example, the global climate, the ozone depletion, the
water pollution etc, manifest some of its irreversible effects.
The unconscionable
industrialization, the unpardonable deforestation and the inhuman extermination of living
species, betrayal exploitative brutality and anti-social appetite for profit and pleasure are
94
incompatible with humanism and conservationism. Today a bath in the Yamuna or Ganga
is a sin against bodily health, not on salvation for the soul-so polluted and noxious are
these holy waters now.4
The water availability and its basic reasons are concerned, a noted economist
observed as, ‘And even more serious problem relates to water. Despite an estimated
availability of 2464 cubic meters of water per person per year, the availability of water is
both uneven both among states and between seasons. In a State like Meghalaya, drinking
water shortage is severe between March and May.’5
Water has played a major and crucial role for the growth of civilization and
settlements. Most of earlier settlements and civilizations took place on the banks of the
major rivers. The demand for water has been increasing not only due to the increase of
population, but also due to increasing economic activities. The increased consumption of
water has created the problems of disposal of the huge wastewater in the urban areas. The
untreated or partially treated water is discharged into the water bodies mercilessly. In
1988, the 212 class I cities generated 12145 million litres per day wastewater, of which
only 22% were treated. Of the 241 class II towns, which generated 1298 mld wastewater,
only 2% were treated. Out of the total population of about 102.95 million residing in
these cities, only 38.66 million were connected to the sewage system. 6 The result is the
widespread water-born diseases like, cholera, hepatitis, malaria, dengue and various
diseases. Apart from these, many other indirect diseases and problems of health are also
imminent.
The environmental pollution is closely related to Human rights. Man lives in his
environment. Without a free clean and human environment man cannot survive. The right
to environment free from any type of pollution, dirt and squalor is the birth right of all
human beings.
4
V.R.KrishnaIyer;Environmental Pollution Law,(1984)Vedpal Law House,Bhopal,p.95.
M.S.Swaminathan: Population and the Food, The Hindu Survey of Environment, 1994., pp7,8.
6
Annual Report of the Central Pollution Control Board, 1988.
5
95
This is the minimum requirement for merely the animal existence. But,
unfortunately, the clamourers of the human rights seldom have paid attention to this need
for environmental protection. The right to live in an unpolluted environment has to find a
place amongst the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which was
formulated in 1948.
The introduction of Arts. 48A and 51a in the Constitution of India in 1976 by the
42nd Amendment, the judicial recognition of environmental rights was achieved in India
through the device of Public Interest Litigation (PIL). The judicial innovation of PILs and
a petition by a letter to the Supreme Court and High Courts was termed as the ‘epistolary
jurisdiction’ of the court by chief Justice Bhagbati 7. In a series of M.C.Mehta cases filed
by a public spirited lawyer, Mr.M.C.Mehata, the Supreme Court took innovative
measures for preventing pollution of the river Ganga, the Taj Mahal and ordered closing
down of several industries which cause pollution. The most important contribution of the
Indian Judiciary was to bring environmental protection within the well-established
fundamental right of the Right to life under Art.21of the Constitution.
In Subhash Kumar v. State of Bihar8, the Supreme Court ruled that right to life is
a fundamental right under Art. 21 of the Constitution and it included right of enjoyment
of pollution free water, air for full enjoyment of life and also that if any thing endangered
or impaired that quality of life, in derogation of laws, a citizen has a right to have
recourse to Art.32 of the Constitution for removing the pollution of Water or Air which
may be detrimental to the quality of life.
According to the Kerala High Court, the right to life is much more than the right
to animal existence and its attributes are manifold, as life itself. A prioritization of human
needs and a new value system has been recognized in these areas. The right to sweet
water and the right to free air are the attributes of the right to life. These are the basic
elements, which sustain life itself.9
7
Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra v. Union of India, AIR 1985 SC 652.
AIR 1991 S.C.420.
9
Attakoya Thangal v. Union of India 1990 (1) KLT 580.
8
96
4.3. WATER POLLUTION:
Major sources of water pollution may be divided into three kinds:
1. Domestic water from both the rural and urban areas,
2. Industrial waste discharged into natural water bodies without any treatment,
3. Agricultural run-off.
Generally speaking water pollution is a state of deviation from the pure condition,
whereby its normal functions and properties are affected. Any shift in the natural
dynamic
equilibrium
existing
among
the
environmental
segments:
Hydrosphere/Atmosphere/Lithosphere (sediments) gives rise to the pollution10.
The following are the signs of pollution:
a)
Bad taste of drinking water,
b)
Offensive smells from the water bodies,
c)
Decrease in number of fishes in fresh water, river water, sea water,
d)
Oil and Grease floating on water.
These factors are the cause of decrease of normal water supply in the following
respects:
1. Recreation and aesthetics,
2. Fish and other aquatic and wild life,
3. Agriculture and Industry,
4. Domestic uses.
Since the earth is created, man has depended on his environment for his life. His
environment is made up of air, water and land on the earth. With the passage of time he
has also drawn resources from the environment far in excess of those needed for his
10
Prof. A.K.Dey, Environmental Chemistry, 3 rd Edition, New Age International (P) Limited, Calcutta, Pp.
167-168.
97
physical existence11. The pressure of population on the limited resources of the earth is
the cause of pollution. “Today the greatest pollutant is people. The enormous increase of
population is mainly responsible for the modern environmental problems”12. The other
chief reasons which cause aggravating the quantum of natural pollution are the
advancement and development in urbanization, industrialization and agriculture. This
causes accumulation in oceans, lakes, rivers, and streams of physical, chemical and
biological substances that are directly harmful to human life. As a result it obstructs the
multiple use of water for human consumption, recreation, aquatic life, wild life and
industry itself.13
When population grows, our natural resources do not increase. Amount of fresh
water produced by hydrological cycles essentially the same as it was in 1950 and will be
the same in 2050.
“The
unprecedented increase of human population in the scale and intensity of
human activities over the past century have reached a point where they are impacting on
the resource and the life support system upon which human and well-being depend. Our
fate is literally is on our hands. What we do or fail to do in managing the process by
which we are shaping our future will be in its principal determinant.”14
Some basic Physical concepts of water pollution are (i) Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
and (ii) Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), discussed below:
(i) Dissolved Oxygen:
It is the basic requirement for the sustenance of aquatic and semi-aquatic life.
Their sustenance depends upon the ability of water to maintain minimal concentration of
oxygen. Dissolved Oxygen requirement for most of the aquatic organisms is around
11
Nishita: The Water Pollution: The Problems and the solution, appearing in the The Environmental
Protection: Problems Policy Administration, Law, Ed, Paras Diwan 1987, Deep and Deep Publication,
New Delhi, P.279.
12
C.M. Jeriwala, The Constitution 42nd Amendment Act and the Environment, Legal
Control of
Environmental Pollution, N.M.Tripathy Pvt. Ltd. Bombay, P-1 quoted in
the Water (Prevention and
Control of Pollution) Act,
13
P.268, ibid.
14
Mauric F Strong, Earth in our Hands, The Hindu, Survey of Environment, 2000, p-15.
98
5ppm (part per million). The estimation of DO in the aquatic system is possibly the most
important measurement of technique for assessing the purity of water. The amount of DO
depends on three major factors:
1. Rate of Photosynthesis and respiration by aquatic organisms,
2. Oxidation of wastes,
3. Rate of reaeration of water.
During the photosynthesis, the release of oxygen increases the DO level of water
and causes the addition and regeneration of oxygen of water, whereas the respiration
causes the decreases the oxygen content. Water is considered to be polluted when the DO
concentration drops below the level to sustain the normal biota. Deoxygenating is caused
by the presence of oxygen demanding wastes substances. These are the substances, which
are easily biodegraded by bacteria, in the presence of oxygen by which the DO level in
water gets affected. Sewage and industrial wastes are the chief pollutants of water and
produce obnoxious odour and damage the water quality. These are largely channeled to
the rivers or other water bodies.
(ii) Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD):
It is the respiratory demand for oxygen by aerobic organisms for metabolizing the
organic wastes and nutrients, which gives measure of sewage strength. Usually all are
naturally offering organic molecules and many synthetic compounds can be degraded by
microbial activity in presence of oxygen. The BOD of pure water is observed as around 1
ppm. However, water can be considered pure at a BOD level up to 3 ppm. The values of
BOD level of Municipal Sewage water is 100-400 ppm, Diary Industry is 2000-5000
ppm, Food Processing Centre is 5000-10000 ppm and Pulp Sewage is 10000-15000
ppm.15
The waste discharged into water body, like river or pond causing depletion of DO
level due to consumption at oxygen by the microorganisms.
15
Samir Kuman Banerjee. Environmental Chemistry, 2nd Ed. 1999, Prentice Hall of India, New Delhi. P90.
99
As apart of natural inbuilt mechanism, simultaneous process of reaeration takes place,
which replaces the depleted oxygen through a surface absorption process, the rate of
which is usually proportional to the quantum of oxygen depletion. The deoxygenating
and regeneration take place simultaneously.16
4.4. EFFECT OF WATER POLLUTION:
Pollution effects the streams, wells, rivers, and water-ways by way of depletion of
oxygen level, excess plant nutrients, biological dyes function and sedimentary and
erosion processes. Various effects of water pollution are discussed under the following
headings:
1. Effect on Water streams and Ways.
2. Effect on Public, Health and Safety.
3. Damage on Aquatic and Wildlife.
4. Damage to property.
5. Damage to Recreational Areas.
1. Effect on Water Streams and Ways:
The contaminant of pollutant depends on many factors like mode of action, the
amount of dilution it encounters, flushing rate of the system into which the contaminant
is released and the tolerance of organism environmental. Each contaminant must be
evaluated in terms of the particular characteristics of the receiving water, but the effect of
synergism must also be regarded. Synergism can be defined as a combination of factors
(contaminants) that reinforce the activities or affect each other. Synergistic effects tend to
increase the impact of a contaminant with other materials that could be present within the
environment, or within specific organism, has been generally greater than the effects of
16
Samir K Benerjee, Ibid. p-91.
100
each individual contaminant. The adverse effect of pollution on water streams and ways
are discussed below:17
Reduction in Oxygen Levels: Factors which operate behind the reduction in
oxygen levels are oil spills, heat, suspended sediments, organic wastes, and some
inorganic wastes. The mechanisms leading to oxygen depletion vary. They are18:
(a) Decreasing Photosynthetic rate of plants,
(b) Decreased Oxygen solubility,
(c) Decreased diffusion of oxygen,
(d) Increased Oxygen demand.
2. Effect on Public Health and safety:
The consequences of water pollution on the human race are widespread and range
from a reduction in the recreational value of beaches and waterways; to unaesthetic
drinking water, to serious health hazards. The infections so caused can be classified into
four main categories:
a) Infections spread through water – supplies – water-borne diseases.
b) Infection transmitted through aquatic invertebrate animal - water-based
diseases.
c) Disease due to lack of water for personal hygiene – water-washed diseases.
d) Infections spread by an insect that depends on water – water related insect
vector.
The effect of metals on human being especially lead, mercury, cadmium,
pesticides, nitrates and nitrites and carcinogenic substances are quite serious.
17
See, G.R. Chhatwal & Others, Encyclopedia of Environmental Pollution of control, Vol.11, 1990, p.150176.
18
Lal’s op. cit. pp.757-58, 912-917.
101
3. Effect on Aquatic and Wild Life:
Pollution of natural waters may be disastrous to fish and other organism naturally
inhabiting the stream. With mild pollution may acquire a flavour that renders their flesh
unfit for food use, whereas with more severe contamination the fish are sickened or
killed. When pollution develops slowly fish may deliberately leave the polluted areas, but
if the pollution occurs by a sudden discharge fish are killed outright. It is not uncommon
for thousands of fish to be killed because some industrial plant has dumped one of its
wastes of process solution into stream. Polluted wastes are also a hazard to land animals
that drink from the stream.
4. Damage to Property:
Discharge of acids and occasionally of other industrial wastes leads to property
damage through corrosive attack. Acid wastes affect steel objects, such as ships and
navigation aids and also damage concrete structures in the stream. Corrosion by acid
wastes may be even more harmful when the water is taken into a plant for use as cooling
water, or for treatment for municipal or industrial use.
5. Damage to Recreational areas: The recreational advantage offered by vacation
areas but pollution of these waters destroys the recreational value and hence low the
value of shore property.
4.5. Classification of Pollutants:
The water pollutants can be classified under different categories based on the
nature. They are:
i)
Organic pollutants,
ii)
Inorganic pollutants,
iii)
Sediments,
iv)
Radioactive materials,
v)
Thermal discharges.
102
i) Organic Pollutants:
It includes Oxygen demand wastes, disease causing
agents, plant nutrients, sewage, synthetic organic compounds and oil. The dissolved
oxygen is an essential requirement of the aquatic life, i.e., plant and animal population in
the water body. The optimal DO in natural water is 4-6 ppm. Decrease in the dissolved
Oxygen below this level is an index of the pollution mainly due to organic matter, e.g.,
sewage, whether domestic or animal, industrial waste from food-processing plants, paper
mills and tanneries, wastes from slaughter houses and meet processing plants, run-off
from agricultural lands etc. All these materials undergo degradation by bacterial activity
in the presence of dissolved oxygen; the net result is the deoxygenating process and quick
depletion of the dissolved oxygen and formation of carbon dioxide19.
Confined water resources like lakes, pose special type of problem known as
eutrophication. Sewage and run-off from agricultural lands provide that nutrients in
natural settings, in the natural biological process called eutrophication, means well
nourished. An unpolluted lake has a very limited supply of incoming carbon,
phosphorous and nitrogen and, as a result, a balance is maintained between the
production and consumption of these nutrients. This balance is disturbed when an
excessive amount of carbon, phosphorus and nitrogen are introduced. The excessive
supply of nutrients promotes an uncontrolled growth of algae.
Water is the carrier of pathogenic microorganisms and can causing immense harm
to public health. The water born diseases are typhoid and paratyphoid fever, dysentery
and cholera, polio and infectious hepatitis. The responsible organisms occur in the faces
or urine of the infected people, and finally discharged into a water body.
The production of synthetic organic chemical like plastics, plasticizers, fibers,
elastomers, solvent, detergent, paints, insecticides, food additives and pharmaceuticals
and their presence in water imports objectionable and obnoxious odour and colour, taste
to the fish and aquatic plans even when they are present in low concentration.
19
Prof. Anil Kumar Dey, Environmental Chemistry, 3rd Ed. New Age International (P) Limited, Calcutta,
Pp-171.
103
Pesticides:
The use of pesticides and its chemicals are in an effort to inhibit or destroy
undesirable life forms, which are considered as nuisance. The era of synthetic organic
pesticides started around 1940. At present, there are more than 10,000 different
pesticides. They are broadly classified according to their general chemical nature into
major several principal types:
a) Insecticides: Organophosphorus group, e.g., Malathion; Organochlorine
groups, e.g., DDT; Carbamate group, e.g., Carbosryl designed to kill insects in
crops.
b) Herbicides: Chlophenoxy acid group, e.g., 2,4-dichlophenoxy acid meant to
kill weeds etc.,
c) Fungicides: Dicarbomate group, e.g., thiram; organometallic group, e.g.,
phenyl mercury acetate meant to kill fungi and check plant diseases.
The above stated pesticides are mainly organic pesticides. Inorganic pesticides
may be classified as follows:
i)
Insecticides ,like Paris green, lead arsenate, compounds of fluorine,
ii)
fungicides, like mercury chloride, copper sulphate etc., and
iii)
herbicides, like arsenic salts etc.,
ii) Inorganic Pollutants:
This group of pollutants consists of the inorganic salts, mineral acid, finely
divided metals or metal compounds, trace elements, complexes of metals with organics in
natural water and organometallic compounds. The metal-organic interactions involve
organic species of both the pollutants and natural origin. Such interactions depend on and
104
play a role in redoxequilibria, colloid formation, acid base reactions and microorganisms
mediated reactions in water.
Polyphosphates in detergents, the major source of phosphates in water, serve as
algal nutrients of much concern as water pollutants. This phosphate is removable from
the sewage containing phosphate as organic wastes as well as detergents by efficient
sewage treatment plant. Another important inorganic pollutant is the acid marine drainage
coal mines, especially those abandoned, normally discharge substantial quantities of
sulphuric acid and also iron oxide into local streams through seepage.
iii) Sediments:
The natural process of soil erosion gives rise to sediments in water. It represents
the most extensive pollutants of the surface water. As a matter of rough estimate,
suspended solid loadings reaching natural water are about 700 times as large as the solid
loading from the sewage discharge, soil erosion gets enhanced 5-10 times as a result of
agricultural development and about 100 times due to construction activities. Strip mining
activities have great influence on the erosion rate in the area. The bottom sediments are
the important sources of inorganic and organic matters in streams, lakes, rivers, and other
water bodies. The sediments and suspended particles are also important depositories for
trace metals like Chromium, Copper, Nickel, Cobalt and Manganese. The suspended
solids are normally responsible for significant oxygen demand.
Trace Elements:
The most dangerous, heavy elements, lead, cadmium, mercury and the metalloids,
arsenic, selenium, tin etc., are responsible for the water pollution. The heavy metals have
a great affinity for sulphur and attack sulphur in the enzyme bonds immobilizing the
later. Other vulnerable sites are the proteins. These metals bind to cell membrane,
affecting the transport process through the cell wall. More and more combustion of fossil
fuel causes the deposit of lead on the roads and other places. Street dust containing heavy
metals like lead represent an important source of metal input to surface waters. Industrial
105
effluents on domestic sewage contribute metals. All these sources are routed by sewage
treatment plant, which reduce the quantum of these metals significantly.
iv) Radio-active Pollution:
Radio-active pollution arises from radioactivity. Radio activity means certain
elements emit invisible effects known as radiations. The emission of these invisible
radiations is called radioactivity and such substances are known as radioactive substances
and this material is responsible for this type of pollution. The basic radioactive elements
are uranium, radium, thorium, radon etc., and some of their salts. Four human activities
are basically responsible for radioactive pollution: 20
1. Mining and processing of ores to produce radioactive substances,
2. Use of radioactive material in nuclear weapons,
3. Use of radioactive materials for nuclear power plants,
4. Use of radioactive isotopes for the treatment of some diseases like cancer etc
and other industrial and research applications.
The uranium ore contains about 2-3 lbs of uranium trioxide in one tonne of
uranium oxide. When this is processed, for the extraction of uranium large amount of ore
is required producing large amount of uranium tailing posing the radioactive pollution.
In case of nuclear weapon testing, underground detonation, high radioactive
fallout is produced having far reaching effects of the nature and the mankind. A long live
component of radioactive fallout affects adversely on man in bones and teeth, leads
disorders in the blood cell formations and causes anemia or more serious diseases. A
nuclear power plant generates the following types of pollutants:
1. Low level liquid radioactive wastes,
2. Liquid and gaseous wastes from fuel elements,
3. Fission products, and
4. Heat.
20
Anil Kumar De, Ibid, Pp. 194-195.
106
The discharge of radioactive wastes into air and swear systems is likely to create
problems in the long run. The radio nuclides found in water include Radium-226 and
potassium-40 originating from the leaching of minerals, some other materials from
reactors and uranium testing.
The level of radio nuclides found in water is measured in units’ Pico curies, 10-10
curie (3.7 x 10-2 disintegration per second). The permissible limit is 3 Pico curies/l of Ra226 and 10 Pico curies/l of Sr-90.
Of the living beings mammals are affected most by radioactivity but insects and
arthropods like cockroach, earthworm etc., are affected least. Nuclear wastes containing
radio nuclides produced in the laboratories, hospitals, using radioactive materials colour
T.V. receivers cell phones and cell towers are also pollute environment.21
When there is atomic explosion, cloud is formed, such a cloud contains
radioactive materials and spreads very fast all around. The radio active element radium
undergoes spontaneous disintegration. In this process they give off ionizing radiation and
change ultimately into other stable elements.
The radioactive substances are the most toxic, whose injurious effect is
tremendously high. The major source of radioactive wastes have been nuclear explosives,
accidents at nuclear power plants, fuel reprocessing plants and research laboratories and
hospitals that release these wastes into the atmosphere or into waste water. Nuclear war
material, test explosions, increased use of power reactor and radioactive material in
medical industry and research are the principal sources of radioactive exposure that
threatens the environment.
With this view to control and regulate the use of atomic energy our parliament has
passed the Atomic Energy Act, 1962. Since 1962 it has been amended twice, in 1986 and
in 1987 to make it more effective and responsive to atomic challenges.
21
Dr. Jai Jai Ram Upadhyay, Environmental Law, Central law Agency, 2005, p-83.
107
Uranium Mining:
In the early 1960’s The Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) pitched its
tents in Jaragoda, a land surrounded by forests and hills. Jaragoda had now become
Jadugoda, which was located in the Potka and Mosabani blocks of east Singhbhum
district of Jharkhand. Uranium for the country’s nuclear programme is mined here from
three underground mines, 1,600 to 2,000 feet below the earth’s surface, in Jadugoda
(since 1964), Bhatin (since 1983-84), and Narwapahar since (1989-90). A fourth mine
was inaugurated in Turamdih in Jamshedpur block. Besides these mines there are three
tailing ponds; a fourth is in the offing. The official term “ponds” is misnomer for in
reality these are small-sized dams constructed to store nuclear waste.22
This waste, known as “tailings”, comes from the mines and mills at Jadugoda as
well as from Hyderabad. After the Uranium ore is mined, it sent to a mill for purification.
In this process, Uranium concentrate is sent to the nuclear fuel complex in Hyderabad to
make fuel rods. The waste from this process is packed into drums and sent again to
Jadugoda to be dumped in the tailing dams. The contents of these dams are highly
radioactive for, even though Uranium has been extracted the remaining materials called
“Uranium tailings” or “Uranium decay products” (Thorium-230, Radium-226, Radon222, Polonium-210 amongst others) remain radioactive, some of them for thousands of
years. This poisonous nuclear waste has the potential to cause unimaginable damage.
Radioactive tailings have also permeated the ground water and contaminated
surface water sources. Residents of Chatikocha next to tailing dam observed that ‘Water
in wells and nallas has become black’, ‘sometimes the water tastes salty’, ‘soap does not
produce enough foam, their clothes remain unclean.’ The people in the Jadugoda area are
affected not only by radiation from tailing dams but also by lack of safety at the mines.
UCIL has been accused of practicing unsafe mining for the last 30 years, the effects are
fatigue, lack of appetite, and respiratory ailments are wide-spread. Increases in
miscarriages, impotency, infant mortality, congenital deformities such as Down’s
syndrome, skeletal deformities such as fused fingers or extra or fewer fingers or toes, skin
22
The Hindu, Survey of Environment, 2001, Jadugoda, fighting an invisible enemy, by Bela Bhatia, p.129.
108
diseases such as hyperkeratosis (toad skin) or black patches (a pre-cancerous stage),
cancer, leukaemia, thalassemia, children with big heads (mega cephalic) and small heads
(micro cephalic), and nervous system disorders have also been reported.23
v) Thermal Pollution:
The thermal power plants run by coal or nuclear fuel are associated with the
thermal pollution. Only a portion of the heat is converted into the useful power and the
rest is wasted. Even, in case of a most modern coal-fired plant, the efficiency does not
exceed 40%, for the rest the fuel used is simply wasted. Many electric generating
companies use water in the process of cooling their generators and this heated water is
then released into the system from which it was drawn, causing a warning trend of
surface waters. Thermal pollution results when the heated effluent is released into poorly
flushed systems. In these cases permanent temperature increases often result which tend
to decrease the solubility of dissolved oxygen. The increased temperature accelerates
rates of chemical and biochemical reactions. The thermal pollutant decreases the
dissolved oxygen level and has adverse effect on the aquatic life. The normal water is
taken from the water reservoir, or lake, stream and the unused hot water is discharged
back to the source with temperature raised by about 10%. There are also ecological
effects of the rolling water stream flow. Fish and marine lives may be sucked in the
intake pipe waters killing them in large numbers. In case of nuclear power plants located
near any lake or river or other water sources, the possibility of traces of radioactivity
cannot be overruled.
4.6. Waste water treatment:
The pollutants generated by the domestic and industrial sources and the treatment
of waste water are broadly consists of three stages:
i)
Primary level treatment where the process of settling with some natural
process are done. In this stage the major pollutants are removed by
23
The Hindu, Survey of the Environment, 2001, ibid, pp.132.
109
settling which can be conveniently being removed from the sludge. The
floating substance which cannot be removed as sludge can be skimmed
off. This process is able to remove 80-90% of sediment solids, 65% of
suspended solids, and up to 45% of the BOD substances.
ii)
Secondary treatment where the wastes are treated biologically
chemically suitably to make the water fit for human consumption. A
large part of the pollutants consisting of colloidal and dissolved organic
substances is removed. In this stage the impurities containing high BOD
cannot be removed completely, but can be reduced. Secondary process is
similar to the process of decomposition in nature where the organic
impurities degraded microbial in the treatment plants. Here presence of
adequate oxygen and supply of microbial agents are required.
iii)
Tertiary treatment in which the suspended particles carried over from the
secondary level is taken care of. The basic systems are chemical
coagulation, sedimentation, mixed media filtration, micro straining.
Among these the chemical coagulation is the most efficient process
where some chemicals like alum, ferric chloride etc are added. Micro
strainer is done with the help of micro strainer.
Since the water pollution is caused by domestic sewage and industrial wastes, any
abatement of water pollution depends mainly on the efficiency of the treatment plant.
Treatment of non-toxic organic domestic sewage is different from that of toxic industrial
wastes. Conventional sewage treatment plans are based on biological decomposition of
non-toxic organic wastes, using bacteria. Such biological decomposition is conducted in
the presence of sufficient oxygen, i.e., under aerobic conditions. The aerobic treat process
is the secondary treatment process after primary treatment from removing the insoluble
materials. Here the biodegradable organic matters are utilized by the bacterial cells (or
micro-organisms) for their growth and metabolism and in the process the huge quantity
of cell mass and carbon dioxide is generated. About 50% of the biodegradable carbon in
the waste water is converted into cell mass and the rest into carbon dioxide.
110
For
oxidation of 1 mg of carbon, 2.67 mg of dissolved oxygen is required. Organic hydrogen,
sulphur and nitrogen are the major constituents of the waste water consume the additional
oxygen for their oxidation. The solubility of oxygen is only 9 mg/l at 200C and less at
higher temperature. The organic load is expressed in terms of biochemical oxygen
demand, which means milligram of oxygen needed to decompose the organic material in
one litre of wastewater.
The broad concept of sewage treatment may be illustrated briefly. First solid
wastes are removed from water by screening and, if any, scum is removed, followed by
settling sludge. In the second stage the residual liquid is subjected to biological oxidation
of the soluble organic materials, through a bed of activated sludge. Finally, the solids are
removed by sediments. The liquid effluent from such treatment has a much lower organic
load which, after chlorination to kill the pathogenic microorganisms may be mixed
directly in water streams.
But the disposal of sludge is one of the major problems. It can be spread on
landfills or soil, but the former are being scarce with increasing population. For locality
near shore the sludge is usually dumped into the ocean, which causes pollution and
affects the fragile marine ecosystem. In near future all kinds of ocean dumping should be
stopped. The sludge may be also used as fertilizers, but the presence of toxic materials in
it is an obstruction. There is also a risk of contamination of air with the toxic pollutants
emitted from the sludge. The safer process is the anaerobic digestion of sludge yielding
methane gas. This gas may also be used for various industrial and other purposes. In the
anaerobic treatment process about 95% (50% in aerobic process) of the biodegradable
carbon is decomposed into biogas and the rest 5% to biomass. The effluents from the
secondary process have a lower BOD level (25 mg/l). Actually, without secondary
treatment plants, the treatment is not completed. For removal of dissolved matters tertiary
treatment process is also required.
The tertiary treatment plant is required to eliminate dissolved matters. Here the
phosphates are eliminated with the help of lime water (Calcium Hydroxide). Then the
nitrogen present in the wastewater as ammonia is eliminated the remaining the organic
111
materials are removed by absorption by charcoal and finally by chlorination for
disinfections. A final effluent is fairly clean, where the beauty level is less than 1 ppm,
phosphate is less than 0.2-1 ppm, and nitrogen is less than 0.3-1.3 ppm. As the tertiary
method is very costly due to their energy requirement, there is also an alternative system
for removing nitrogen using a combination of nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria. The
land may also be used as the natural filter for wastewater, where the soil absorbs
phosphates and ammonia and nitrates, and the microbes in the soil causes the biological
oxidation of carbon and nitrogen.24
4.7. SURFACE WATER AND GROUND WATER:
The surface water can be used in general requirements for recreation and
aesthetics (swimming, rowing, navigation etc.), aquatic, fish and wildlife and irrigation
are given below:
Recreation and aesthetics:
The surface water should be free from:
i.
Material which impart colour, taste or turbidity, e.g., oil grease, phenols,
etc.,
ii.
Substances which may settle to form objectionable deposits or float on the
surface as debris, oil and scum,
iii.
Toxic substances, including radio nuclides, physically harmful to man,
fish or other aquatic plants or animals, and
iv.
Substances which are likely to result in promoting the growth of
undesirable aquatic life.
Aquatic Life:
The surface water should be free from:
24
Anil Kumar De, ibid, Pp. 197-202.
112
i.
Settable matters inhibiting growth and flora and biota,
ii.
Floating matters, such oil and grease, forming visible colour films or the
surface, coast banks and bottom of the water courses, taint aquatic biota
and cause toxicity to fish and man. The temperature should not be raised
by 3-5o F.
Ground water:
The ground water (tube well and well) has dissolved mineral contents than the
surface water, the reason is being the immediate contact between carbon dioxide –bearing
water and rocks and solid in the ground and the length of time for dissolution.
The following trace elements are identified in surface and ground water and their
admissible concentrations are discussed below:
i.
Nitrite and Nitrate:
They are potentially dangerous to health if the maximum admissible concentration
exceed 0.1 mg/l and 50mg/l respectively. Nitrates are particularly dangerous to
the infants of less than six months causing methamoglobinemia. In surface water
nitrates may occur. In some ground water, it may attain high value.
ii.
Chloride:
Chloride in drinking water is relatively harmless if its amount remains below 250
ppm. It may be in high concentration in the waste water. Their high
concentrations also damage the metallic pipes and agricultural crops.
iii.
Fluoride:
The fluoride contents of 1.0 ppm effectively protect the dental health.
113
iv.
Cyanide:
Free cyanide (CN ion or HCN) is highly toxic pollutant arising from the metal
refining and cleaning, electroplating, coke ovens and various other industrial
processes.
v.
Sulphide:
Generally, sulphides are present in the ground water, especially in the hot water
springs and are common in wastewaters coming partly from the decomposition of
organic matters and partly from the industrial process. Hydrogen sulphide, having
odour of rotten eggs is very toxic and killed many workmen in sewers. It can
directly damage the metal pipes forming the sulphuric acid by biological
oxidation.
vi.
Phosphate:
It occurs in the natural and waste waters as inorganic and organically bound
phosphate. Phosphates are largely used for laundry purposes, treatment of boiler
waters and agriculture. Hence the run-off from these sources goes to the water
bodies. Organic phosphates are formed primarily by biological process, from
domestic sewage.
vii.
Boron:
Drinking water should not contain more than 1 ppm. Its presence in excess of 2
ppm in the irrigation water is harmful for some plants, and less than 1 ppm
adversely affects some plants. Otherwise, it is essential for the plants growth.
viii.
Silica:
Silica is not considered as a pollutant, but excess of silica is not desirable for
industrial reasons.
114
4.8
Metals and Metalloids:
The presence of metals and metalloids (Arsenic and Selenium) in potable
waters, domestic waste and industrial effluents is a subject of serious concern
due to their toxicity affecting the public health. The impacts of heavy metals are
dangerous, especially of lead, cadmium and mercury. Their permissible limits
are 0.05, 0.01, 0.001 ppm respectively.
i.
Arsenic:
Acute arsenic poisoning may arise from the ingestion of as little as 100 mg of
arsenic. Low intake for a long time may exhibit chronic effect. The usual arsenic
level in the potable water is within 10 ppb. In the arsenic affected districts, the
arsenic content in the tube well water is 1.5 ppm. Agricultural run off, due to its
content of pesticides, is a source of this metal.
ii.
Selenium:
Its toxicity is comparable to that of arsenic. It’s content in drinking Water is less
than 10 ppb.
iii.
Beryllium:
Beryllium and its compounds are highly toxic and excess intake may result fatal.
Inhalation of it may result the disease like berylliosis in the form of dermatitis,
conjunctivitis, acute pneumonitis. It enters through the discharge of atomic
reactor, aircraft, and rocket and missile fuel industries. Permissible level in the
drinking water is 0.01 to 0.07 ppb.
iv.
Cadmium and chromium:
Cadmium is highly toxic. Even small quantities may cause adverse changes in
the arteries of human kidneys. A concentration above 200 ppb is toxic to some
fish. Permissible limit in the potable water is 0.4 to 60 ppb. It enters from
115
galvanization and industrial discharges. Chromium also comes from the
industrial discharges. The permissible limit is 50 ppb. Normal level of
chromium (IV) in the drinking water is 13 to 40 ppb.
v.
Copper:
It is an essential requirement. An adult requires 2 mg of copper daily. Maximum
permissible limit is 1.0 ppm.
vi.
Iron:
Surface water contains less than 1.0 ppm of iron. Some ground water contains
2.0 ppm or more. The water has a bitter astringent taste and the clothes are
stained. 0.3 ppm is the maximum permissible limit.
vii.
Lead:
Lead is a serious cumulative poison. Natural water contains 20 ppb of lead.
Sometimes it may be 400 ppb. It enters the water bodies from the melting,
battery, plumbing, mining, and industries.
viii.
Manganese:
It is not a toxic metal, but it makes the water objectionable as staining the clothes.
Industrial effluents are the sources.
ix.
Mercury:
The organic compounds of mercury are notorious for their toxicity. Permissible
limit of mercury in drinking water is 2.0 ppb.
116
x.
Silver and Zinc:
Both are not toxic metals. But concentration range of 0.4 to 1.0 ppb is reported to
cause pathological change in kidneys and livers. The usual limit of silver in the
drinking water is up to 2.0 ppb, whereas the permissible limit is 50 ppb.
4.9 Major pollutants in leather Tanning:25
i.
Common Salt:
Raw hides and skins are preserved temporarily by adding common salt in the
proportion of one kg of salt for one kg of hide. The common salt when removed
through soaking constitutes a major source of pollution by the tanneries.
ii.
Lime and sodium sulphide:
Used for loosening hair and flesh from the hide.
iii.
Ammonium Chloride and Ammonium Sulphate:
Salts used for removing the lime. Nitrogen bearing salts are considered a potential
long term environmental threat.
iv.
Chromium (III):
These salts are widely used as potential tanning. The poor utilization of chromium
(only 40-70 %) leads to environmental problems. It is toxic when concentration is
large.
A wide range of chemicals are used in the tanning industry. Pickling is the
process for tanning skin which includes treatment with sulphuric acid and common salt.
By this process the protein is permanently resistant to bio-degradation by common
microorganisms.
25
The Hindu, Survey of the Environment, 2001, Tanners voice Green concerns, p.69.
117
4.10 WATER POLLUTANTS AND THEIR TOXIC EFFECTS ON HEALTH:26
1. Polychlorinated: it is used for manufacturing transformers and other electric
appliances; in production of plastic containers, epoxy resins; as ingredients in soap,
cream, paint, paper, wax, etc., it effects on health as Fatigue, vomiting, abdominal pain
disorders of the intestine, temporary blindness, stillbirths.
2. Vinyl Chloride: it is used in plastic and damages to liver, bones and circulatory
system; cancer of liver, brain and lymphatic system.
3. Benzene: it is used in detergents, moldings, insecticides and causes anemia and
leukemia.
4. Aldrin/Dieldrin: it is used as an insecticide and causes tumors, convulsions, and
damage to kidney.
5. Dichloro Diphenyl Trichloroethane (DDT): it is a synthetic organic compound used
as an insecticide and causes tremors, degradation of central nervous system.
6. Dioxin: it is a cyclic compound produced as chemical by-products, herbicide and
causes powerful carcinogen, chromosome malformation.
7. Nitrates and Nitrites: Come from septic tanks, heavily fertilized crops and sewage
treatment plants; Nitrates get converted into nitrites in intestines. It effects on health as
Nitrates combine with hemoglobin to form methaemoglobin, which interferes with the
oxygen carrying capacity of the blood, producing a serious disease known as
methaemoglobinaemia.
26
“Health Hazards of Water Pollution and its Legal Control with Special Reference to State of Punjab” –
Jaspal Singh, in the IUP Journal of Environmental & Healthcare Law, Vol. IX Nos. 1 & 2, January &
April 2010, p.21.
118
4.11 TOXIC EFFECTS OF HEAVY METALS:27
1. Mercury: It effects on human health as Minamata epidemic, the first major disaster of
mercury poisoning occurred in 1953 at Minamata in Japan; the victims developed
numbness of the limbs, lips and tongue and lost muscle control; Also caused deafness,
blurring of vision, clumsiness, apathy and mental deterioration.
2. Lead: Lead pollution causes liver and kidney damage, reduction in hemoglobin
formation, mental retardation and abnormalities of fertility and pregnancy; children may
suffer from macrocephaly or convulsions or both.
3. Arsenic: Causes mental disturbance, liver cirrhosis, hyperkeratosis, lung cancer, ulcers
in gastrointestinal tract, kidney damage.
4. Calcium: It causes bone deformation, kidney damage, testicular atrophy, anemia,
injury of central nervous system and liver; hypertension; the itai-itai first reported from
Japan was shown to be due to cadmium toxicity.
5. Copper: It causes Hypertension, uremia, coma, sporadic fever.
6. Zinc: It causes vomiting, renal damage, cramps.
7. Chromium (Hexavalent): It causes Nephritis, gastrointestinal ulceration, cancer.
4.12 CONCLUSION:
The organic pollutants include mainly the oxygen demanding wastes, disease
causing agents, plants nutrients, sewage, synthetic organic compounds, pesticides etc.
Sediments caused by soil erosion and suspended particles containing the trace metals like
chromium, copper, nickel, cobalt, manganese are also responsible for water pollution.
Heavy metals like lead, cadmium, mercury and some metalloids like arsenic, selenium
and tin are responsible for water pollution.
27
P. 22, Table 3, of ‘The IUP Journal of Environmental & Healthcare Law,' Vol. IX, Nos. 1 & 2, 2010.
119
Before the enactment of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974,
almost all the statutes stressed upon the mode of causing pollution rather than explaining
‘pollution’ itself. In a simple sense, water pollution is “the adding of any substance to
water or the changing of water’s physical and chemical characteristics in any way which
interferes with its use for legitimate purposes”.
The various inorganic and organic compounds that cause pollution include
fertilizers, pesticides, biocides, detergents, phenolic substances and carboxylic acids.
When these compounds negligently or inadvertently are thrown into the sea or a river,
water resources are contaminated threatening the aquatic animals and human life.
The effects of water pollution are far-reaching and affect not only the
environment, but human beings and animals as well. Water pollution affects our oceans,
lakes, rivers and drinking water, making it a widespread and global concern. Numerous
diseases, health problems and even fatalities have been associated with water pollution.
Water is considered polluted when chemicals, pathogens, or contaminants are
detected. Human beings have the most crucial impact on our water resources. They also
have the ability to control or eliminate water pollution.
The effects of water pollution are not only devastating to people but also to
animals, fish and birds. Polluted water is unsuitable for drinking, recreation, agriculture
and industry. It diminishes aesthetic quality of lakes and rivers. More seriously
contaminated water destroys aquatic life and reduces its reproductive ability. Eventually,
it is a hazard to human health. Nobody can escape the effects of the water pollution. The
individual and the community can help minimize water pollution. By simply housekeeping and management practices the amount of waste generated can be minimized.
It is important to note here that citizens have been explicitly excluded from legal
monitoring and enforced action. Their public participation has been limited to a few areas
such as PILs; public hearings for EIA; and under citizen’s suits. Somehow there is a
feeling in from the public viewpoint that many post-Stockholm statutes have connived in
letting a polluter use legal loopholes and get away with their environmental crimes. What
underlines this opinion is the fact that citizens are not allowed to present legal samples in
a court of law.
120