Contamination of Drinking water by 8 Sources & its Effects?

Did you hear about the Contamination of Drinking Water?

Why is water Essential?

We consider water the most critical and prominent component of the human body, which contains almost 60% body weight of an active and healthy adult. Water not only accounts for humans but as well as for the planet also.

Functions of Water

Firstly, water plays a vital role in performing different bodily functions and biochemical reactions. Secondly, it builds the cell and is responsible for maintaining body temperature because it contains the mechanism responsible for proper body functioning (homeostasis)

Furthermore, water also considers removing waste materials from the cell and body. Likewise, a healthy man can drink more than 400 liters of water a month, depending on climate and activity.

Sources of Drinking Water

Moreover, In Pakistan, for drinking water, we depend on Glaciers, which melt into the ice and then form streams and rivers that run down the plains and empty into the Arabian Sea. Consequently, Pakistan has three rivers that include;

• Chenab
• Jhelum
• Indus

Furthermore, their sources are also present in the Himalayas. In addition to the people of Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, their primary water sources include the Himalayas and their tributaries.

What about Balochistan Province?

Further, Balochistan contains many shallow channels, but none carry much water and perennials. Their Internal flood water is the largest source of water.

Moreover, Domestic surface water now primarily uses in areas where the Department of Health Engineering (PHED) manages water plans that supply pump water.

Supply of Water in Urban Areas

In addition, In urban areas, the tehsil members and local government are responsible for the ultimate drinking water supply.

Furthermore, there are specific sources, including streams, rivers, and groundwater. While removing impurities, water is purified and chlorinated. In local areas, rusted and damaged plumbing is supplying polluted water.

Supply of Water in Rural Areas

On the other hand, in rural areas, the inhabitants directly draw water from rivers, canals, and sub-soil strata. Other sources for rural areas are ponds and rainwater. Both humans and animals use these water sources. Meanwhile, In some areas, the pond water, which is not clean, is used for bathing buffalos and drinking.

Whereas, in most areas of Pakistan, groundwater is saline and contains a significant amount of carbonates, bicarbonates, and dissolved salt.

Contamination of Drinking Water

Lastly, it is reported that more than 20% of Pakistan’s urban population and 47% of its rural population are still unable to access clean drinking water. Further, It is found that there are persistent reports of poor-quality water received from rural areas.

Moreover, the drinking water quality for human consumption mainly depends upon its chemical and microbial contents. Both the surfaces and groundwater are contaminated by different sources, which include;

Municipal liquid wastes

Contribute personal care products, household cleaning products, soaps, detergents, acids, and human excrement.

Industrial wastewater

Contribute organic and inorganic Chemicals, metals, plastics, human excrement, and other wastes.

Hospital wastes

Contribute pharmaceutical products, organic and inorganic wastes, disinfectants, pathogenic microorganisms, and human excrement.

Leaching of fertilizers

• Add nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, etc., to streams and subsoil water.
• Leaching of pesticides and other agricultural chemicals
• Responsible for the addition of poisonous substances to the streams and subsoil water.

Mining

• Contribute various chemicals, more often toxic, to the water.
• Oil, gasoline, and additives
• Sources of toxic petroleum products.

Sediment

Water runoff from the deforested terrains, silt, and chemicals from the soil.

Plastics

Undegradable compounds are pretty dangerous for aquatic organisms.

Air Pollution

Emissions from industry and motor vehicles contribute various gases and acids to the soil and water.

All these sources of contamination are responsible for adding

• Microorganisms
• Disinfectants
• Inorganic Chemicals
• Organic Chemicals

An Overview of Water Quality in some Countries

The Ganges River, a source of drinking water for many communities in northern India and Bangladesh, is stiffly polluted with ash and corpses. In Bangladesh, over 15 million people drink water contaminated with copper sulfate. This condition badly affects the health of people, so it causes different diseases, including skin, stomach, lungs, and kidneys.

People drink contaminated water in Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Taiwan, Mexico, Thailand, India, and the western United States. While industries continuously do their duties like dumping toxic materials into rivers.

Effects of Contamination on Water Quality

The presence of contaminants deteriorates drinking water quality, which is illustrated by water’s chemical and physical properties.

• Water, in pure form, is colorless, but it may gain some color due to some salts. In contrast, oxidizing to ferric hydroxide, iron salts in water give red-brown color. Manganese hydroxide gives gray-black color.
• Non-pathogenic bacteria decompose the water containing organic matter. As a result, there is a production of off-flavors and odors.
• When water contains sulfates and reduces types of bacteria, contamination causes a sulfide odor.
• Well, proteolytic organisms irregularly contaminate the water.

Toxicity From Contaminated Water

Waterborne microbial diseases spread due to both contaminated surface water and municipal water supply, which had no proper functions to purify the water.

Some People are more likely to have disorders of waterborn diseases including;
People with low immunity
Children
Adults 
Pragnent womens

4 Diseases caused by Water pollution

The range of waterborne infections resulting from contaminated water include:-

• Chronic Diarrhea
• Dysentery – bloody diarrhea
• Cholera – dehydrating diarrhea
• Typhoid fever- prolonged abdominal cramps

Intoxication Treatment

We are growing in the age of several adverse and harmful death-leading diseases. At this point, we badly need some intoxication ways to survive and lead a healthy life. There are several ways to treat the body’s intoxication. These include;

• For low blood sugar levels, treat your body with vitamins and sugar.
• Insert a breathing tube in the nose to open the airways so the body gets proper oxygen.
• For concentrated blood, use detox drinks, ginger, and exercise.
• For alcoholic intoxication, keep him awake, and stay hydrated and warm.

What happens when you Drink too much water?

2/3 of our body is made up of water. Still, drinking water incorrectly can cause several problems instead of benefiting from this miraculous drink, like liver, kidney disease, heart, migraine, weak digestion, joint pain, hair fall, etc.

Sources

dictionary.com/browse/disease

my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4108-diarrhea

https://rabiahabib.com/allergyblog/

https://rabiahabib.com/food-intolerance-blog/