Introduction

Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies(e.g. lakes, rivers, ). Water pollution occurs when pollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful compounds .Water pollution affects plants and organisms living in these bodies of water. In almost all cases the effect is damaging not only to individual species and populations, but also to the natural biological communities. Water pollution is a major global problem which requires ongoing evaluation and revision of water resource policy at all levels (international down to individual aquifers and wells). It has been suggested that it is the leading worldwide cause of deaths and diseases, and that it accounts for the deaths of more than 14,000 people daily. An estimated 700 million Indians have no access to a proper toilet, and 1,000 Indian children die of diarrheal sickness every day. Some 90% of China's cities suffer from some degree of water pollution and nearly 500 million people lack access to safe drinking water. In addition to the acute problems of water pollution in developing countries, industrialized countries continue to struggle with pollution problems as well. In the most recent national report on water quality in the United States, 45 percent of assessed stream miles, 47 percent of assessed lake acres, and 32 percent of assessed bay and estuarine square miles were classified as polluted. Water is typically referred to as polluted when it is impaired by anthropogenic contaminants and either does not support a human use, such as drinking water, and/or undergoes a marked shift in its ability to support its constituent biotic communities, such as fish. Natural phenomena such as volcanoes, algae blooms, storms, and earthquakes also cause major changes in water quality and the ecological status of water.

Types of water pollution

Water pollution can come from a number of different sources. If the pollution comes from a single source, such as an oil spill, it is called point-source pollution. If the pollution comes from many sources, it is called nonpoint-source pollution.Most types of pollution affect the immediate area surrounding the source. Sometimes the pollution may affect the environment hundreds of miles away from the source, such as nuclear waste, this is called transboundary pollution.

Surface water pollution

Surface waters are the natural water resources of the Earth. They are found on the exterior of the Earths crust and include:

Oceans Rivers Lakes

These waters can become polluted in a number of ways, and this is called surface water pollution.

Oxygen depleting
Microorganisms that live in water feed on biodegradable substances. When too much biodegradable material is added to water, the number of microorganisms increase and use up the available oxygen. This is called oxygen depletion. When oxygen levels in the water are depleted, relatively harmless aerobic microorganisms die and anaerobic microorganisms begin to thrive. Some anaerobic microorganisms are harmful to people, animals and the environment, as they produce harmful toxins such as ammonia and sulfides.

Groundwater pollution
A lot of the Earths water is found underground in soil or under rock structures called aquifers. Humans often use aquifers as a means to obtain drinking water, and build wells to access it. When this water becomes polluted it is called groundwater pollution. Groundwater pollution is often caused by pesticide contamination from the soil, this can infect our drinking water and cause huge problems.

Nutrients and their effect on water

Nutrients are essential for plant growth and development. Many nutrients are found inwastewater and fertilisers, and these can cause excess weed and algae growth if large concentrations end up in water.

This can contaminate drinking water and clog filters. This can be damaging to other aquatic organisms as the algae use up the oxygen in the water, leaving none for the surrounding marine life.

Microbiological water pollution

Microbiological water pollution is usually a natural form of water pollution caused by microorganisms. Many types of microorganisms live in water and cause fish, land animals and humans to become ill. Microorganisms such as:

Bacteria Viruses Protozoa

Serious diseases such as cholera come from microorganisms that live in water. These diseases usually affect the health of people in poorer countries, as they do not have the facilities to treat polluted water.

Suspended matter
Some pollutants do not dissolve in water as their molecules are too big to mix between the water molecules. This material is called particulate matter and can often be a cause of water pollution.

The suspended particles eventually settle and cause a thick silt at the bottom. This is harmful to marine life that lives on the floor of rivers or lakes. Biodegradable substances are often suspended in water and can cause problems by increasing the amount of anaerobic microorganisms present. Toxic chemicals suspended in water can be harmful to the development and survival of aquatic life.

Chemicals water pollution

Industrial and agricultural work involves the use of many different chemicals that can run-off into water and pollute it.

Metals and solvents from industrial work can pollute rivers and lakes. These are poisonous to many forms of aquatic life and may slow their development, make them infertile or even result in death. Pesticides are used in farming to control weeds, insects and fungi. Run-offs of these pesticides can cause water pollution and poison aquatic life. Subsequently, birds, humans and other animals may be poisoned if they eat infected fish. Petroleum is another form of chemical pollutant that usually contaminates water through oil spills when a ship ruptures. Oil spills usually have only a localised affect on wildlife but can spread for miles. The oil can cause the death of many fish and stick to the feathers of seabirds causing them to lose the ability to fly.

Treating water pollution

Before raw sewage can be safely released back into the environment, it needs to be treated correctly in a water treatment plant. In a water treatment plant, sewage goes through a number of chambers and chemical processes to reduce the amount and toxicity of the waste.

The sewage first goes through a primary phase. This is where some of the suspended, solid particles and inorganic material is removed by the use of filters. The secondary phase of the treatment involves the reduction of organic, this is done with the use of biological filters and processes that naturally degrade the organic waste material. The final stage of treatment is the tertiary phase; this stage must be done before the water can be reused. Almost all solid particles are removed from the water and chemical additives are supplied to get rid of any left-over impurities.

Denitrification
Denitrification is an ecological approach that can be used to prevent the leaching of nitrates in soil, this in turn stops any ground water from being contaminated with nutrients.

Fertilisers contain nitrogen, and are often applied to crops by farmers to help plant growth and increase the yield. Bacteria in the soil convert the nitrogen in the fertilizer to nitrates, making it easier for the plants to absorb. Immobilization is a process where the nitrates become part of the soil organic matter. When oxygen levels are low, another form of bacteria then turns the nitrates into gases such as nitrogen, nitrous oxide and nitrogen dioxide. The conversion of these nitrates into gas is called denitrification. This prevents nitrates from leaching into the soil and contaminating groundwater.

Septic tanks sewage treatment

Septic tanks treat sewage at the place where it is located, rather than transporting the waste through a treatment plant or sewage system. Septic tanks are usually used to treat sewage from an individual building.

Untreated sewage from a property flows into the septic tank and the solids are separated from the liquid. Solid material is separated depending on their density. Heavier particles settle at the bottom of the tank whereas lighter particles, such as soap scum, will form a layer at the top of the tank. Biological processes are used to help degrade the solid materials The liquid then flows out of the tank into a land drainage system and the remaining solid are filtered out

Ozone wastewater treatment

Ozone wastewater treatment is a method that is increasing in popularity. An ozone generator is used to break down pollutants in the water source. The generators convert oxygen into ozone by using ultraviolet radiation or by an electric discharge field. Ozone is a very reactive gas that can oxidise bacteria, moulds, organic material and other pollutants found in water. Using ozone to treat wastewater has many benefits: o Kills bacteria effectively. o Oxidises substances such as iron and sulphur so that they can be filtered out of the solution. o There are no nasty odours or residues produced from the treatment. o Ozone converts back into oxygen quickly, and leaves no trace once it has been used. The disadvantages of using ozone as a treatment for wastewater are: o The treatment requires energy in the form of electricity; this can cost money and cannot work when the power is lost.

o The treatment cannot remove dissolved minerals and salts. o Ozone treatment can sometimes produce by-products such as bromated that can harm human

Effect of water pollution

Health
Virtually all types of water pollution are harmful to the health of humans and animals. Water pollution may not damage our health immediately but can be harmful after long term exposure. Different forms of pollutants affect the health of animals in different ways:

Heavy metals from industrial processes can accumulate in nearby lakes and rivers. These are toxic to marine life such as fish and shellfish, and subsequently to the humans who eat them. Heavy metals can slow development; result in birth defects and some are carcinogenic. Industrial waste often contains many toxic compounds that damage the health of aquatic animals and those who eat them. Some of the toxins in industrial waste may only have a mild effect whereas other can be fatal. They can cause immune suppression, reproductive failure or acute poisoning. Microbial pollutants from sewage often result in infectious diseases that infect aquatic life and terrestrial life through drinking water. Microbial water pollution is a major problem in the developing world, with diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever being the primary cause of infant mortality. Organic matter and nutrients causes an increase in aerobic algae and depletes oxygen from the water column. This causes the suffocation of fish and other aquatic organisms. Sulfate particles from acid rain can cause harm the health of marine life in the rivers and lakes it contaminates, and can result in mortality. Suspended particles in freshwater reduces the quality of drinking water for humans and the aquatic environment for marine life. Suspended particles can often reduce the amount of sunlight penetrating the water, disrupting the growth of photosynthetic plants and micro-organisms.

Environment
There are many different types of water pollution and all have a different adverse effect on the environment.

Heavy metals from industrial processes can accumulate in nearby lakes and rivers. These are toxic to marine life such as fish and shellfish, and can affect the rest of the food chain. This means that entire animal communities can be badly affected by this type of pollutant. Industrial waste often contains many toxic compounds that damage the health of aquatic animals and those who eat them. Some toxins affect the reproductive success of marine life and can therefore disrupt the community structure of an aquatic environment.

Microbial pollutants from sewage often result in infectious diseases that infect aquatic life and terrestrial life through drinking water. This often increases the number of mortalities seen within an environment. Organic matter and nutrients causes an increase in aerobic algae and depletes oxygen from the water column. This is called eutrophication and causes the suffocation of fish and other aquatic organisms. Sulphate particles from acid rain change the pH of water making it more acidic, this damages the health of marine life in the rivers and lakes it contaminates, and often increases the number of mortalities within an environment. Suspended particles can often reduce the amount of sunlight penetrating the water, disrupting the growth of photosynthetic plants and micro-organisms. This has subsequent effects on the rest of the aquatic community that depend on these organisms to survive

Economy
Water pollution can be damaging to the economy as it can be expensive to treat and prevent contamination. Waste that does not break down quickly accumulates in the Earths waters and eventually makes its way to the oceans. Water pollution can be prevented by stopping pollutants from contaminating nearby waters. There are a number of water treatments to prevent pollution such as:

Biological filters Chemical additives Sand filters

These simple techniques cost money to maintain, but prevention is much cheaper than cleaning up water pollution that has already occurred. The cost of a pollution clean-up depends on many factors:

The location of the pollution is important in determining how much the clean-up will cost. If the contamination is in an area that is easy to get to, then the clean up cost will be cheaper. The contamination size also needs to be considered, the larger the area of contamination, the more expensive the cost of the clean-up. The type of pollutant may also have an effect on the clean-up cost, some pollutants are more difficult to clean up than others, and therefore more expensive.

Water pollution in Kerala

Kerala is one among the most thickly populated region in the world and the population is increasing at a rate of 14%per decade. As a result of the measures to satisfy the needs of the huge popualtion,the rivers of Kerala have been increasingly polluted from the industrial and domestic waste and from the pesticides and fertilizer in agriculture. Industries discharge

hazardous pollutants like phosphates, sulphides, ammonia, fluorides, heavy metals and insecticides into the downstream reaches of the river. The river periyar and chaliyar are very good examples for the pollution due to industrial effluents. it is estimated that nearly 260million litres of trade effluents reach the Periyar estuary daily from the Kochi industrial belt. A list of major industries situated here and the nature of their outputs indicates the type of chemicals that are likely to find their way into the river Periyar is given in the table The major water quality problem associated with rivers of Kerala is bacteriological pollution. The assessment of river such as chalakudy, Periyar, Muvattupuzha, Meenachil,chittar kanjirapally Pamba and achenkovil indicate that the major quality problem is due to bacteriological pollution and falls under B or C category of CPCB classification.There are local level quality problems faced by all rivers especially due to dumping of solid waste, bathing and discharge of effluents. with regard to groundwater, water quality characteristics of wells in Kerala are found to be affected by chemical and biological contaminants. The ground water quality problems in the coastal areas are mainly because of the presence of excess chloride. The chloride concentration >250mb/l was detected in the well water samples of Azhicode, Kakkathuruthy, Edathinjil, Kadalundi, Chellanum, nallalam, Mankombu and Haripad. in Alappuzha district, flouride concentration in the pumbing wells was observed to be high. In midland region, with regard to ionic concentration, the concentration of fluoride iron and chloride were found to be on the higher side. The fluoride content was observed to be beyond the permissible limit of 1 mg/1.Deep well sin Chittur taluk and Knajikod areas of palakkad district are found to contain fluoride concentration greater than 1mg/l. open well of Kerala have the bacteriological comtamination.In Kerala about 60% of the population relies on ground water from drinking. At the same time studies have shown that faecal contamination is present in 90% of drinking wells. The open character of the wells and conventional maintenance habits and use of buckets and rope to draw water, kitchen wastes and pit latrines with average family load factor (5 members) at a distance of less than 5 meters from wells are some of the factors, which are found to be contributing to the bacteriological contamination. ground water contamination due to industrial pollution has been reported from places of Kochi (eastern part of aluva), palakkad and some parts of kollam, Kozhikode and Kannur. RIVERS AND WASTE DISPOSAL

The trouble with water is that its easy to dump things in it. Whether its sewage or chemicals in rivers, bike frames in ponds, or oil and refuse at sea, water is a convenient waste disposal system. We also expect it to supply our needs, and we expect it to be clean. Other living organisms expect the same, but they dont have much say in the matter. In fact water is very good at recycling waste. It can cope with a great deal naturally, particularly if the substances are reasonably natural themselves Above a certain level, however, or if the waste products are very toxic or chemically so complex and 'alien' that they do not break down easily, the natural cleaning functions of water can no longer cope. The recycling process itself breaks down. The result is pollution. Humans dont always cause pollution. Leaves falling into a pond or stream and decaying can cause pollution, but these effects are usually only local or temporary Pollution from human activity is much more significant and widespread. It may

come from industrial discharges, agricultural waste and fertilisers, roads, waste-tips, and inadequately treated sewage from old or overloaded sewage works It is possible to prevent pollution continually entering our rivers and killing fish and other wildlife. In most cases pollution is not intentional and is often caused by thoughtlessness. To some people preventing pollution is an unwelcome added cost. However, in the long term, looking after the countryside and preventing pollution is cost effective and protects our environment for future generations. Fencing riverbanks is one way to prevent sheep and cattle eroding the banks and polluting the water. However, the farmer would have to provide alternative drinking sources as well as the fencing, which can be expensive. On the other hand, the farmer does not lose the soil his livelihood depends on and his animals have less illness and injury, which saves him money in vets bills, etc. Arable farmers can be encouraged to leave a broad strip at the edge of fields that is not sprayed with fertilisers or pesticides. In this way, riverbanks and hedgerows are protected. However, the farmer loses arable land in the process and can have a reduced crop. Buffer strips can be a preventive measure for other activities. If a wildlife strip separates the farming activities or industrial works from the river it can provide not only a safety barrier but also a way of filtering and cleaning dirty water and preventing eroded soil and chemicals from being washed into the river. Industries can be persuaded to install safety measures to prevent oil or chemical spills. Quarrying companies can ensure that excess water is channelled into catch pits and lagoons away from the works and not directly into the river. Although digging out sediment from catch pits is expensive, it reduces the risk of sediment polluting rivers and the cost of putting things right if an accident occurs. There are some illegal activities, such as fly tipping, which are difficult to prevent and too expensive to police. Some thoughtless people will take their rubbish in a car or truck and tip it into a convenient roadside wood, stream or lay-by. Some rubbish is merely unsightly (old beds or tyres) but other stuff tipped can be toxic and dangerous to wildlife, such as old paint cans, pesticide containers, leaking batteries or used sump oil. Often it would be quicker, easier and cheaper for these people to travel to the nearest recycling centre, and we would not have to pay so much in taxes for the Council to clear up the mess

Statement of problem
History of Kanjirapally
Kanjirapally, a little town on the foothills of the Western Ghats of Kerala, India, is located 43 km away from kottayam, is a tribute to the pioneering nature of the intrepid planter and the free spirit of enterprise. This beautiful town resplendent in greenery and plantations, exudes an old world ambience in a fast moving world. There is also considerable importance attached to Kanjirapally both historically as well as culturally. This place is rightly described as "the Queen of Malanad (The Land of Mountains)" and "the Gateway of Malanad". The name Kanjirapally is probably linked to the tree Kanjiram, once abundant in these places. The geographical position of Kanjirapally ensured that from ancient times it served as an excellent trade junction among the commercial centres of the east and the west.

Environmental issue in kanjirapally

The main environmental issue in kanjirapally panchayat is dumping of waste in chittar river by hotels, poultry farms etc.. because this water got contaminated and unfit for drinking and human usage. As a result many people now suffering of skin dieses, cholera, malaria etc..

This is the new published by Business Line on Tuesday may- 1 -2007

Thiruvananthapuram April 30 The Kerala StatePollution Control Board (KSPCB) has directed the President and Secretary of Kanjirappally Grama Panchayat in Kottayam district to take necessary steps to stop further pollution of River Chittar flowing through the town. In a letter addressed to the duo, the Chairman of KSPCB expressed concern that persistent non-compliance with the relevant laws has caused the virtual death of a free-flowing river.

The Chairman, Mr G. Rajmohan, had inspected the river "in the context of persistent complaints from the public about pollution of the river''. It was observed that the situation there was pathetic. Solid as well as liquid wastes from hotels, markets, chicken stalls, fish vending centres, commercial establishments and public comfort stations were disposed of directly and indirectly into the river stretch. Solid waste dumped wantonly in the premises of the town hall had caused the leach ate to flow into the river. Around 3000 people are depending on this river for their daily usage and now several people are in the midst of several harmful diseases. many political parties have protested against this. Mr. Alphonse kannanthanamme MLA came forward against waste dumping . and he made that only those hotels which as sufficent waste disposal system can run in the town . but many of them as violated that.and all things are happening as before.

Suggestions and conclusion

We can easily prevent and control in this issue . Firstly we can self responsible with our environment or river protection .Avoiding waste dumping in rivers by hotels, chicken centre etc...that will save our people.And another thing is taken by authority ,means that panchayat should be take the precautionary measures.if they didnt follow the panchayat rules they can fine against them The panchayat should be checking the waste dumping in hotels &other industrial segments on the help of police and court.Another major factor is conducting awareness programme to all the people in the panchayat,and that programme should be compulsory to every families. It will benefited to our panchayat people as well as environment and rivers There are many things we can do to help. we can prevent water pollution of nearby rivers and lakes as well as groundwater and drinking water by following some simple guidelines in our everyday life.

Conserve water by turning off the tap when running water is not necessary. This helps prevent water shortages and reduces the amount of contaminated water that needs treatment. Be careful about what you throw down your sink or toilet. Dont throw paints, oils or other forms of litter down the drain. Use environmentally household products, such as washing powder, cleaning agents and toiletries. Take great care not to overuse pesticides and fertilisers. This will prevent runoffs of the material into nearby water sources. By having more plants in your garden you are preventing fertiliser, pesticides and contaminated water from running off into nearby water sources. Dont throw litter into rivers, lakes or oceans. Help clean up any litter you see on beaches or in rivers and lakes, make sure it is safe to collect the litter and put it in a nearby dustbin.

Reference
www.water-pollution.org.uk/causes.html www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_pollution www.cornwallriversproject.org.uk/education www.kanjirapally .com