The primary purpose of this research paper is to explore water pollution as one of the major environmental issues that are affecting the world as a whole. Specifically, the paper is aimed at discussing the causes, effects of water pollution, as well as the intervention that can be used to address the environmental issue. Nonetheless, it also covers the historical background of water policy, which is contained in the introductory section. The main method that is used to collect relevant data and information is a systematic literature review that involved analyzing information in scientific articles. Water pollution is an environmental issue that should be explored because it has a significant impact on individuals and the society at large.
Based on the information and data that are contained in various articles that were reviewed, the leading causes of water pollution include industrial and domestic sewage, agricultural run-off, and industrialization. A substantial percentage of raw sewage ends up in water bodies such as lakes and rivers. Sewage wastes contain harmful pathogens and chemical that leads to the contamination of lakes and rivers, including seas and oceans. Many factories and households still discharge high volumes of raw wastes in water bodies despite the availability of environmental laws. Discharging raw waste in water bodies is an indication that existing laws have not significantly assisted in reducing water pollution, especially because they are not properly implemented. Agricultural run-off has been found to be the second primary cause of water pollution. Currently, many people use pesticides and fertilizers on their farms to increase agricultural production. However, a substantial percentage of fertilizers and pesticides end up in water bodies due to agricultural run-off. Industrialization is also another factor that is contributing to water pollution, especially regarding of discharging chemicals into lakes and rivers.
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Water pollution has a significant effect on human health, as it contributes to about 10% of the total the total global illness. Water pollution is increasing the prevalence rate of various diseases such as cholera, typhoid, diarrhea, and even cancer. It is estimated that about 2 million children die annually due to the use of contaminated water. Water pollution, therefore, is causing the death of millions of people, especially in developing countries, including rural areas in developed nations. Therefore, people will continue to die of preventable and treatable diseases like cholera is the problem of water pollution is not addressed. Besides, water pollution is causing a severe water shortage in various parts of the world. Currently, about 3.8 billion people are affected by water shortage while 1.2 billion people lack clean drinking water globally. Water shortage has led to other problems such as poverty and hunger the reduction in agricultural production. Water scarcity is a problem in both developed and developing countries. Consequently, there is a need to address the issue of water pollution, mainly through a collaborative partnership among different stakeholders. Behavioral change is essential in reducing water pollution.
Water Pollution
Introduction
Water is regarded as the most a critical natural resource in the world and no human being, and any other living thing can survive without it, leading to a common phrase that water is life. Water is one of the most abundant natural resources in the world because about 71% of the planet is covered with water bodies such as lakes and oceans ( Haseena et al ., 2017) . The global oceans hold about 96.5 of the earth’s water, making it the most significant source of global water. Unfortunately, only about 3% of global water is freshwater that can be used for various human and industrial activities. At the same time, accessibility to freshwater is increasingly becoming a challenge because a significant percentage of freshwater is locked away in ice caps and glaciers that are found in the Polar Regions. Consequently, only about 1% of freshwater is easily accessible for human use. The accessibility of freshwater is currently one of the significant environmental issues in almost all parts of the world due to the high rate of water pollution. Water pollution takes place when unwanted or pollutants enter into the water, leading to a reduction in the quality of water. Water pollution is harmful to both the environment and human beings while at the same time it leads to a significant decrease in the volume of freshwater. It is estimated that about 900 million people globally lack access to safe and clean water due to water pollution ( Afroz et al ., 2014) . At the same time, about 2.5 billion people are not able to access improved sanitation due to acute shortage of clean water. Consequently, millions of people are dying because of inaccessibility to clean and safe water, and the problem is mainly attributed to the high rate of water pollution in various parts of the world, especially in developing countries and in rural areas. Therefore, water pollution is an environmental issue that needs to be addressed to improve the quality of living and to reduce unnecessary deaths.
Water pollution is not a new phenomenon, and it can be traced back to the ancient times. Water bodies such as lakes and streams were the major source of drinking water during the ancient times. However, it was the same water bodies that people used to dispose of human waste. As a result, human waste was the main cause of water pollution in the ancient times. Disposal of human waste in water bodies led to significant water pollution that ancient people were forced to build aqueducts for them to get clean drinking water. Water pollution became worse during the medieval times in the 1800s because people had little knowledge and understanding of what was bad for the environment. People could dump dangerous minerals and chemicals such as mercury and lead in water bodies. Besides, people developed the habit of dumping farm and human waste in rivers and lakes with little regard to the environmental pollution. The society was never concerned about the impact of their activities on the environment.
Water pollution became worse in the 18 th century due to the industrial revolution. A lot of water pollution took place during the industrial pollution when industries discharged harmful waste and chemical to water bodies. A lot of chemicals and farm and human wastes ended up in lakes, rivers, and oceans from the many factories that emerged during the industrial period. The world lacked strict water pollution policies that that could be used to control pollution. Although some developed countries had developed pollution policies, relevant authorities had apathy of enforcing them, making industries to take such laws for granted, leading to massive water pollution. The use of outdated technologies also enhanced water pollution during the industrial revolution period. Industries were using machines and technologies that emitted a lot of pollutants. Also, lack of capital and technology know-how made industries to contribute a lot to water pollution. Specifically, small industries lacked resources or capital that they could use to prevent or reduce water pollution. The industrial revolution was the beginning of the massive water pollution in various parts of the world, as many chemicals and dangerous wastes were pumped into various water bodies.
Currently, water pollution is still a major environmental issue that is facing both developed and developing countries. Even though the current generation is aware of the impact of water pollution and both governments and individuals are determined to reduce the problem, the environmental issue is yet to be solved. Factories and agricultural sectors are still the major factors contributing to the water pollution in the whole world, especially in developed countries. The increased commercialization of agriculture has led to water pollution as pesticides and chemicals end up in various water bodies. The most industrialized countries such as China, the USA, and India are contributing a lot to the current water pollution. Therefore, water pollution is still an environmental issue in the whole world despite various interventions aimed at reducing the problem.
One of the major outstanding questions remaining to be answered is why the rate of water pollution is increasing in the modern world when many technologies can be used to address the problems. With advanced technologies, it is assumed that the world can significantly reduce water pollution. It is even shocking that high levels of water pollution still characterize the most industrialized and developed countries like China. For instance, according to Han, Currell & Cao (2016), about 11,000 water quality-related emergencies have occurred in China since 1995 while at the same time approximately 200 million Chinese are not able to access safe and clean water. Besides, in the USA, it is estimated that about 46% of lakes in the country are too polluted to be used for human activities such as fishing and swimming. The situation is worse in the developing nations that lack both technologies and resources to deal with water pollution. About 80% of people who are not able to access safe drinking water live in less developed countries in Sub-Sahara, South Asia, and Eastern Asia. Consequently, there is a controversial debate over why the world continues to experience a high rate of water pollution when the global population has enough knowledge and technologies that can be used to reduce ware pollution.
Therefore, the primary objective of the paper is to explore water pollution. Specifically, the paper aimed at exploring the caused and effects of water pollution. At the same time, the paper is indented to discuss some of the suitable and effective interventions that can be used to eliminate or reduce water pollution in various parts of the world. Water pollution problem can best be solved when the world understands its cause and effects.
Analysis and Discussion
Overview of Water Pollution
According to the report that was released by the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), water pollution is rapidly increasing in three continents that include Asia, Africa, and Latin America Haseena et al . (2017) . Many people in developing and emerging economies can hardly access safe water due to the high rate of water pollution. UNEP explains that water pollutants can be classified into different categories. The first category is known organic pollutant, which includes oxygen-demanding wastes, synthetic organic compounds, and oil. The demanding organic wastes include wastes from food processing industries, slaughterhouses, and breweries that have a high level of biodegradable organic compounds that undergo a lot of decomposition process. The degradation and decomposition use a lot of dissolved oxygen in waters, which may lead to a significant effect on aquatic life. Synthetic organic compounds are highly toxic while at the same time they are resistant to the microbial degradation. As a result, the compounds make water unfit for different uses. Oil is another major organic water pollutant, and it leads to a significant reduction of dissolved oxygen (DO) in various water bodies.
Pathogens, on the other hand, enter water through sewage discharged into water sources, especially from industries. Pathogens such as viruses and bacteria make water unsafe for human use and they cause water-borne diseases like cholera and typhoid that kill millions of people, especially in developing countries. Nutrients are water pollutants that majorly come from the agricultural sector. Agricultural inputs such as pesticides and fertilizers contain a lot of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus Haseena et al . (2017) . In many cases, the agricultural run-off causes significant water pollution. Inorganic pollutants such as material acids and metals also contribute to substantial water pollution. Currently, radioactive water pollutants are increasingly becoming common, and they endanger human lives, as they can cause severe disorders. Hence, water pollution is associated with many pollutants.
Fig.1. Graph Showing Seriousness of Water Pollution in the World
(Vennage, 2018)
Causes of Water Pollution
Sewage is the leading cause of water pollution. According to Haseena et al . (2017), between 70 % and 80% of water pollution is associated with the domestic sewage as a significant amount of household waste is drained in various water bodies such as lake and rivers. Unfortunately, most of the domestic wastes are untreated, even though they contain high levels of toxicants and solid waste that can lead to water pollution. Haseena et al . (2017) argue that domestic and industrial waste that is drained into water bodies is the major cause of the global water pollution. With increased human population, the disposal of human waste has increasingly become a challenge, particularly in developing countries that do not have properly developed and maintained sanitation such as toilet facilities. At the same time, in developed countries, many homes have flush toilets that take human waste away to various water bodies. About 77% of people living in urban areas use flush latrines and only 8% use pit latrines (Haseena et al ., 2017). On the contrary, a significant number of people in rural areas in developing countries defecate in open areas. Unfortunately, not all human wastes from flushed toilets are treated before they are drained in rivers and lakes. Sewage wastes are the major pollutants because they contain dangerous chemicals and pathogens that can lead to serious health problems. Sewage is a major problem in urban areas in developing countries, particularly due to the overpopulation and lack of sufficient sanitation facilities. As a result, the overpopulation in urban is one of the major contributing factors to water population because it leads to an increase in solid waste generation.
Agricultural run-off is the second major cause of water pollution. The agricultural use of pesticides and fertilizers has significantly increased in the 21 st century as the world strives to reduce food security by increasing agricultural yields. Many small-scale and large-scale farmers now rely on pesticides to control insects and to improve the harvest. It is estimated that the use of pesticides has surged by about 40% for the last three decade and the trend is likely to continue. However, despite the positive impact of pesticides and fertilizers, they are also linked to the increasing water pollution. A substantial percentage of pesticides end up in lakes, rivers, and oceans. Haseena et al . (2017) argue that only 60% of fertilizers are used in the soil while the remaining 30% is leached into soils, leading to water pollution. At the same time, residues from pesticides and fertilizers are trained into water bodies through flooding and heavy rainfall, as well as excessive irrigation. Specifically, the use of fertilizer has intensified the growth of algae, leading to harmful algal bloom in various parts of the world. Agricultural run-off poses significant threats to rivers and lakes because it causes eutrophication, turbification, and biological termination of water bodies. Eutrophication refers to the abnormal increase in water plants. Chemical run-off from farms increases the volume of nutrients in the water. Many rivers in developed countries are polluted because of agricultural run-off, as the use of pesticides, herbicides, and artificial fertilizer is common in advanced countries, especially when compared to developing nations.
Water pollution is also caused by industrialization, mainly due to the massive use of chemicals. Manufacturing and chemical processing in industries are causing water pollution due to the massive discharge of chemicals on water bodies. Some of the harmful chemicals and minerals such as sulfur, asbestos, lead, and mercury are always produced in large quantities in various industries, and they end up polluting surrounding water bodies, including atmospheric moisture. The routine transportation of material to and from industries also leads to massive oil spills. Industrialization causes about 12% of oil spills in oceans. China is an excellent example to illustrate the influence of industrialization on water pollution. About 70% of Chinese surface water has been found to be unfit for human consumption due to a high rate of industrialization in the country, even though many people still rely on surface water for their daily use (Ebenstein, 2012). For instance, nearly 115 Chinese who live in rural areas depend on surface water as the major source of drinking water. Besides, many rivers and lakes in China are now polluted because of the intense industrial activities that are taking place in the country. The report that was released by the World Bank in 2006 indicated that about 40% of rivers in the northern region of China are nonfunctional and are not safe for human use (Ebenstein, 2012). Therefore, China can be used as evidence to prove that is one of the significant causes of water pollution. The many environmental laws that are aimed at curbing pollutions have not helped in reducing water pollution in industrialized countries such as China.
Therefore, many factors are causing water pollution in various parts of the world. However, it seems that domestic and industrial sewage are the two leading cause of water pollution globally. Individuals, households, and factories always drain raw sewage wastes into rivers and lakes. Rapid population growth and increased urbanization are some of the issues that are linked to the poor sewage disposal, particularly in developing countries. Increased commercialization of agricultural activities is also affecting the quality of water. Improper use of modern agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides leads to their run-off into rivers, lakes, and oceans. Hence, based on scientific studies and available evidence, water pollution is mainly caused by human activities.
Effects of Water Pollution
Water pollution has a significant impact on human health. Previous studies that were done by various scholars indicate that millions of people die in various parts of the world due to water pollution. For instance, according to the study that was conducted by Afroz et al. (2014), 2 million children below the age of 5 years die annually due to water pollution. At the same time, the same study revealed that polluted water-related diseases account for about 10% of the total illness in the whole world. Therefore, there is a close relationship between water pollution and the poor quality of human health globally. Water pollution spread microorganisms that are known to cause human diseases. Consequently, the rate of water-borne diseases has significantly increased over the past decades due to the increased rate of water pollution. The situation is even worse because about 10% of people in various parts of the world depend on food as well as vegetables that are growing in highly polluted water, especially people living in urban areas in developing countries (Haseena et al ., 2017). For instance, Afroz et al. (2014) noted that 80%b of the polluted water has been used for irrigation in many developing or poor countries globally. As a result, many countries have areas that are covered with polluted water, leading to high rates of illness. The world’s population is suffering from various diseases due to water pollution.
Fig.2. Photo Showing Deaths Associate with Unsafe Water in Some of the Asian Countries
(Vennaage, 2018)
Bacterial diseases are increasingly common in both developed and developing countries due to water pollution. The bacterial diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea have increasingly become common in developing countries, as well as some parts of developed nations because of the high rate of water pollution. The world is experiencing about 4 billion cases of diarrhea annually due to water pollution. Consequently, a substantial number of people die each year because of treatable illnesses such as diarrhea. Afroz et al. (2014) for instance, argues that about 1.4 million children under the age of five years die every year globally due to diarrhea. Diarrhea is one of the diseases that are preventable and yet it claims many lives of children because of the consumption of polluted water. Apart from diarrhea, cholera is also increasingly becoming common, particularly in developing countries, and the increase is mainly associated with the high rate of water pollution. The disease continues to be one of the major public health concerns globally, as between 3 and 5 million cases of cholera are reported annually in different parts of the globe. The contamination of drinking water is the main factor that is attributed to the increasing rate of cholera infections in both developed and developing countries. Therefore, cholera and diarrhea are the two leading bacterial diseases that are caused by the consumption of polluted water. The infection rate of the two bacterial diseases will continue to increase if the world does not solve the water pollution problem, which is currently a worldwide concern. Water pollution is also associated with viral diseases such as hepatitis and poliomyelitis. Hepatitis is mainly caused by the consumption of contaminated food or water.
Some of the chronic diseases are increasingly becoming common because of the use of contaminated or drinking water, as explained by Haseena et al ., (2017), the mortality rate that is linked to cancer is increasing in rural areas compared to urban areas due to the disparity in the use of clean water. People living in urban areas are likely to drink clean and treated water compared to their counterparts in rural areas. However, many urban dwellers who live in slums are likely to drink unsafe and contaminated water than people living in rural areas. Therefore, poor people are at risks of suffering from various water-borne diseases regardless of where they live. Pregnant women also face greater risks due to the use of contaminated water. Pregnant women who are exposed to chemical have higher risks of low birth weight because the fatal is already affected.
Therefore, water pollution has a significant effect on human health, and millions of people die annually due to the consumption of contaminated water. Children are the part of the human population that is majorly affected by water pollution because they are vulnerable and susceptible to water-borne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea. Even though bacterial diseases such as cholera are treatable, they still affect many children below five, particularly in developing countries due to the high rate of water pollution in those areas. Besides, finding from various studies reveal that the poor are likely to suffer from water-borne diseases compared to their affluent counterparts. The poor are more likely to live in areas that lack safe and clean water such as rural areas and slum dwellers in different towns. Many people continue to die from various diseases because of water pollution.
The scarcity or shortage of safe drinking water is another problem that is linked to water pollution. Water scarcity is increasingly becoming a global concern as millions of people are not able to access clean and safe drinking water as well as the water they can use in their household. A study that was conducted by Kummu et al. (2016) indicated that the world is experiencing acute water shortage, as the researchers found that the global population under water scarcity has increased from 0.24 billion in the 1900s to 3.8 billion in 2000s. The statistic clearly shows the increasing rate of water scarcity in the whole world. The problem is becoming worse because about 1.2 billion people are not able to access clean drinking water globally. Although many factors cause water scarcity, water pollution is the primary contributing factor to the problem. The volume of clean and safe water reduced due to pollution, leading to water scarcity. One of the immediate effects of water scarcity is the lack of enough drinking water for the global population. Human beings cannot survive without drinking water, which forces other people to use contaminated water that cause many health problems. Water scarcity is also directly linked to hunger and poverty. Water scarcity makes it difficult for people to irrigate their farms, resulting in low or poor harvesting. At the same time, livestock is likely to die due to water scarcity. Therefore, the world is expected to experience hunger as water is increasingly becoming polluted and unsafe for human use. The worst affected people are those who live in rural areas which mainly depend on small-scale farming as their major source of livelihood. Nonetheless, urban inhabitants are also affected because they depend on agricultural produce from rural areas. As a result, water pollution can cause hunger and poverty.
Fig.3. Map Showing Status of Water Scarcity by 2025
(Heimbuch, 2009)
Water pollution does affect not only human beings, but also other living things, especially those that depend on water. For instance, Haseena et al ., (2017) argue that water pollution disturbs the food chain, especially in the aquatic ecosystem. Heavy metals from industries affect the respiratory system of fish and other animals that live in water, making some of them die. For instance, iron clogs into fish gills, which explains why the population of fish in many water bodies is decreasing. Hence, water pollution affects both human beings and other animals.
Interventions to Address Water Pollution
Addressing water pollution problem requires a collaborative effort because one individual or an entity cannot solve it. Citizens, government, and non-government organizations (NGOs) must come together to address the water pollution problem ( Afroz et al ., 2014). At the same time, the problem can be solved when the human population changes their behavior, especially how they use water. The collaborative approach is the most appropriate and effective way to solve the water pollution problem in various parts of the world.
There are very many simple but effective steps that people can take to solve the water pollution problem. Households can implement simple techniques or interventions to reduce water pollution. First, households should not dispose of oil in sinks. Even though the use of oil in households is not wrong, families should develop the habit of disposing of oils in the designated garbage, which will prevent the flow of oil to various water bodies such as lakes and rivers. Secondly, many cleaning chemicals that are used in household contain dangerous chemicals that can pollute water, especially when they are drained into rivers and lakes ( Afroz et al ., 2014). As a result, waste from cleaning chemicals should be emptied in the trash and not sinks. Thirdly, households should not through away used or expired medicine in water or drain them in sinks. A lot of medicines or drugs have dangerous chemicals that can lead to water pollution. Households should also be encouraged to use limited detergents and bleaches, as this will significantly reduce the chemicals that end up in water bodies. Besides, there is a need for houses to use environmentally friendly detergents that are less polluting. Although the ecologically friendly detergents are expensive, their cost is lower compared to the cost of water pollution. It is also important for households to avoid the use of fertilizers and pesticides in their gardens. On the contrary, they should use manure, which is environmentally friendly and healthy.
Therefore, reducing water pollution should always start at the household level. People should be concerned about environmental pollution that they should execute interventions that are aimed at reducing water pollution or any other form of environmental degradation. However, this can be achieved when people are educated and trained about water pollution and some of the strategies they can use to reduce or eliminate the problem. A significant number of people are ignorant or lack knowledge on the effect of their activities on the environment ( Afroz et al ., 2014). As a result, the government should work closely with the local communities and organization to train people on ways of preventing water pollution. Specifically, the training and empowerment should be aimed at changing the behavior of local communities on environmental conservation. Educating and empowering local communities to be part of environmental conservation can lead to a significant reduction in water pollution.
Formulation and implementation of environmental laws and policies is another important intervention that can be used to reduce water pollution. Currently, with increased environmental degradation and global warming, many environmental laws and policies are aimed at protecting the environment. For instance, the USA has many environmental regulations that are intended to protect the environment from various forms of pollution. Specifically, the country has the Clean Water Act (CWA) that was enacted in 1948 and was expanded in 1972 to reduce water pollution (Lyon & Stein, 2009). The Act provides clear guidelines for discharging waste into waters in the country. The Act prohibits discharging polluted substances in water bodies. Nevertheless, despite the availability of such laws, water population in the country is still high. As a result, it is vital for countries to formulate effective and relevant water pollution laws and policies that can have a significant impact in protecting the environment. Importantly, bodies charged with the responsibilities of implementing such laws should people and organization comply with the environmental laws, regulations, and policies. There is a need to enhance the implementation of water pollution laws. At the same time, the laws should not only target industries and organization, but also households. The CWA, for instance, should include sections that give the guideline on how households should dispose of their sewage and other wastes. Effective and relevant environmental laws and policies can provide a long-term sustainable solution ton environmental pollution, especially when they are appropriately implemented. Besides, international bodies such as UNEP should play an oversight role in ensuring that countries formulate and enforce environmental laws that can assist in reducing water pollution at both local and the global levels.
The local government can assist in reducing water pollution by maintaining and cleaning sewer lines, particularly in urban areas. Many sewer lines are poorly maintained, and they end up bursting. The problem of bursting sewer line is common in many urban areas in developing countries, leading to severe water pollution. The local and national government should work together to ensure that all the sewer lines are functioning and are in excellent condition to reduce water pollution (Han, Currell & Cao, 2016). Besides, the public should play a role in ensuring that they notice the relevant authority in case of a problem in their sewer lines. Hence, a partnership between the public, local, and national governments can assist in maintaining a properly functioning sewer line.
Besides, modern technologies can assist in reducing water pollution, especially regarding water treatment. There is always a complex nature of chemical mixture in wastewaters. As a result, the traditional or conventional wastewater treatment techniques cannot adequately be used to treat wastewater. Therefore, the advanced water treatment process such as the ozonation and chlorination should be used to reduce water pollution, as they are effective in removing unwanted pathogens ( Afroz et al ., 2014) . The semiconductor photocatalytic process is another effective modern technology that can be used to treat wastewater because it is not only environmentally friendly, but it is also cost-effective. The process can remove any chemical, microorganism, and metals that are contained in wastewater. Modern water treatment techniques should be used to treat water and to reduce water pollution that is increasing in many parts of the world.
Conclusion
Water pollution is an environmental issue that started many years ago during the ancient times when most human wastes were disposed of in rivers and lakes. People in the ancient times did not have proper techniques to dispose of human wastes, making them rely on water bodies such as rivers and lakes. However, the problem of water pollution became worse during the industrial revolution that resulted in the massive production of waste. Many industries emerged during the industrial revolution, and they discharged or drained various types of untreated wastes to the surrounding water bodies without considering their impact on environments, especially crucial natural resources such as water. Even though people already knew the impact of draining wastes to water bodies, lack of clear environmental laws and poorly developed technologies made factories to continue draining raw wastes in the lakes and rivers, including oceans and seas. The rate of water pollution has not significantly changed in the modern water, despite the availability of advanced technologies that can help in solving the problem. Therefore, domestic and industrial sewage is the main cause of water pollution. Sewage wastes contain harmful chemicals, metals, and other solid materials that substantially contribute to water pollution. The availability of many environmental laws has not stopped factories and households from discharging raw sewage to lakes and rivers. Agricultural run-off is the second major cause of water pollution, especially in the modern era that is characterized by the high use of pesticide and fertilizers that contain harmful chemicals. A significant percentage of pesticides and fertilizers end up in various water bodies due to agricultural run-off. Also, industrialization has contributed a lot to water pollution. Therefore, water pollution is mainly caused by human activities
Unfortunately, a significant number of people die annually due to water pollution. It is a public concern that 2 million children below the age of five years can die annually due to the consumption of polluted water. Treatable diseases such as cholera and diarrhea are killing millions of people because of the use of contaminated water. Besides, the prevalence of chronic diseases such as cancer has increased due to water pollution. The poor are the most affected by water pollution, especially those living in rural and urban areas. Water pollution affects the rich more than the poor. Apart from many diseases, water pollution has resulted in acute water shortage in both developed and developing countries globally. It is shocking that about 3.8 billion people are suffering from ware shortage while 1.2 billion cannot access clean and safe drinking water. Fortunately, there are simple steps that can use used to address the problems of water pollution. Reducing water pollution should start at the household level by encouraging individuals to embrace behaviors and actions that are aimed at protecting the environment. At the same time, the government should come up with effective water pollution laws and policies, which should be implemented to the letter. Modern technologies can also assist in reducing water pollution. As a result, a collaborative partnership approach can be used to address water pollution that is linked to a significant impact on human life.
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