VPE 511: Environment and Environmental Hygiene (2+1)

WATER POLLUTION

• The quality of water is a vital concern for mankind since man is made up of 79% water. Earth’s surface contain 71% water yet only 1% is drinkable and its quality also going down in addition to shrinkage of amount. Due to indiscriminate use of water for industrial purpose, it is being contaminated by industrial wastage, sludge, oil, etc.

• According to section 2 of “ The Water (prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 (Act No.6 of 1974), “ water pollution means such contamination of water or such alteration of the physical, chemical or biological properties of water or such discharge of any sewage or trade effluent or of any other liquid, gaseous or solid substance into water ( whether directly or indirectly) as may, or is likely to, create a nuisance or render such water harmful or injurious to public health or safety, or to domestic, commercial, industrial , agricultural or other legitimate uses, or to the life and health of animals or plants or of aquatic organisms.”