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Water pollution is contamination of water bodies that negatively affects legitimate uses and the health of aquatic ecosystems.
Water pollution (or aquatic pollution) is the contamination of water bodies—such as lakes, rivers, oceans, and groundwater—that negatively affects how the water can be used. Practically, water is considered polluted when human-made substances or energy change its nature so that it can no longer be safely used (e.g., for drinking or irrigation) or when its ability to support living communities (like fish and other aquatic life) is significantly harmed. The practical meaning is therefore tied to both loss of safe use and ecological damage. It is usually caused by human activities and occurs when contaminants mix with surface water or groundwater. Major sources include sewage discharges, industrial activities, agricultural activities, and urban runoff (including stormwater). Pollution can come from identifiable point sources (such as wastewater outfalls, storm drains, or oil spills) or from diffuse non-point sources (such as agricultural runoff). Contaminants take many forms, including toxic chemicals (oil, metals, plastics, pesticides), nutrients, pathogens, and physical/chemical stressors like changes in pH, oxygen levels (hypoxia/anoxia), temperature, turbidity, and salinity. In practice, water pollution leads to degraded aquatic ecosystems and can spread waterborne diseases when contaminated water is used for drinking or irrigation. It also reduces ecosystem services such as providing clean drinking water. Control and reduction require infrastructure and management (e.g., sanitation and sewage treatment, industrial wastewater treatment, erosion and sediment control, and stormwater management), supported by legislation and ongoing policy evaluation.
Water pollution is contamination of water bodies that negatively affects legitimate uses and the health of aquatic ecosystems.
Common causes include sewage, industry, agriculture, and urban stormwater; pollution may originate from point sources or diffuse non-point sources.
Water pollution can harm ecosystems and public health by spreading pathogens and causing conditions like low oxygen, algal blooms, and other chemical/physical stressors.
The addition of substances or energy forms that directly or indirectly alter a water body in ways that negatively affect its legitimate uses.
Pollution from a single identifiable cause, such as a storm drain, wastewater treatment plant discharge, or an oil spill.
Diffuse pollution that does not come from one identifiable discharge point, such as agricultural runoff.
Nutrient-driven overgrowth of organisms (often algal blooms) that can deplete dissolved oxygen and reduce water quality.
Low or absent oxygen conditions in water that can result from pollution and lead to severe ecological harm.
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