water. Therefore, it is imperative that individuals and businesses take steps to
reduce their levels of pollution and reduce their environmental impact [9].
The common sources of water pollution can vary from wholly natural to manmade sources such as release of domestic and industrial waste waters.
(a) Natural Sources and Runoff
The natural entry of pollutants in water reservoirs can be done through various
activities as given below.
1. Rain water
2. Atmosphere (dust, storms)
3. Underground rocks and volcanoes
4. Natural run off
5. Surrounding vegetation
Rain water is an important natural source of water pollution, which dissolves the
pollutants from air and brings down the entrained particulate matter with it. E.g.
Occurrence of acid rain formed due to the dissolution of acid gases such as oxides
of Sulphur and nitrogen in rainwater. The direct deposition of particulate by gravity
is called dry deposition is another way of causing water pollution.
The falling of leaves, twigs and other parts of surrounding vegetation can also
enrich waters. Presence of underground rocks and volcanoes beneath the water
bodies may also be the source of certain kinds of salts [5].
(b) Domestic Sewage
Domestic Sewage comprises of waterborne wastes of the public and contains about
99% of water and 1% of solids. Of the solids existing in sewage, 70% are organic
and 30% are inorganic in nature. Out of the organic constituents 65% are proteins,
25% carbohydrates and 10% fat. Inorganic fraction of sewage constitutes grit, salts
and metals in varying proportions.
Fig. 3 Sources of water pollutants
10
J. Singh et al.
reduce their levels of pollution and reduce their environmental impact [9].
The common sources of water pollution can vary from wholly natural to manmade sources such as release of domestic and industrial waste waters.
(a) Natural Sources and Runoff
The natural entry of pollutants in water reservoirs can be done through various
activities as given below.
1. Rain water
2. Atmosphere (dust, storms)
3. Underground rocks and volcanoes
4. Natural run off
5. Surrounding vegetation
Rain water is an important natural source of water pollution, which dissolves the
pollutants from air and brings down the entrained particulate matter with it. E.g.
Occurrence of acid rain formed due to the dissolution of acid gases such as oxides
of Sulphur and nitrogen in rainwater. The direct deposition of particulate by gravity
is called dry deposition is another way of causing water pollution.
The falling of leaves, twigs and other parts of surrounding vegetation can also
enrich waters. Presence of underground rocks and volcanoes beneath the water
bodies may also be the source of certain kinds of salts [5].
(b) Domestic Sewage
Domestic Sewage comprises of waterborne wastes of the public and contains about
99% of water and 1% of solids. Of the solids existing in sewage, 70% are organic
and 30% are inorganic in nature. Out of the organic constituents 65% are proteins,
25% carbohydrates and 10% fat. Inorganic fraction of sewage constitutes grit, salts
and metals in varying proportions.
Fig. 3 Sources of water pollutants
10
J. Singh et al.