Groundwater is polluted in numerous ways, including:
-
fertiliser and manure surplus, leading to nitrate
leaching
-
inappropriate use of pesticides
-
mining activities and deposition of hazardous wastes
-
atmospheric deposition of pollutants.
An adequate supply of safe water is vital to human
health and survival. Sufficient quantities are needed for personal, domestic
and industrial hygiene and represent an important contribution to the control
of infectious diseases and promotion of social and economic development.
Protecting the quality of drinking water, particularly from contamination
by harmful organisms and chemicals is a pre-requisite for good health.
The relatively recent identification of pathogens such as Giardia
and Cryptosporidium transmitted through drinking water has directed
attention to the potentially serious stomach illnesses they can cause.
Many chemicals found in water, such as hormonally-active compounds (the
so-called „gender bender“ substances) and persistent organic pollutants,
are under scrutiny even though their health impact remains to be fully
investigated. Meanwhile, many people are responding to real or perceived
problems of water quality by consuming bottled water at cost that could
be more usefully directed to water quality improvements.
|