Water quality and health
Water is essential to life on Earth, and access to water and sanitation is one of humanity’s greatest challenges. Water pollution threatens all marine and terrestrial ecosystems, not to mention our health!
What are the different types of pollution? What are the main sources of water pollution? What are the causes and consequences? Here’s a closer look at these pollutants.
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Your questions
Europe defines good quality water by its good ecological and chemical status. Good ecological status means that the environment is functioning properly, and is assessed in terms of aquatic diversity (fauna and flora). Good chemical status takes into account the parameters of pollution by toxic substances.
There are three main types of water pollution:
Microbiological pollution: caused by bacteria, parasites or viruses
Chemical pollution : this generally comes from waste water containing cleaning products, hydrocarbons and heavy metals
Aquatic waste pollution:this is defined as “any manufactured material or object used for the benefit of mankind that is directly or indirectly discarded or abandoned in aquatic environments”
Water quality has an impact on people, their health and their activities.
Bacteriological pollution can cause illness (ear infections, gastroenteritis, skin rashes, etc.) in swimmers and water sports enthusiasts. This pollution is detected by analysis of two intestinal bacteria: Escherichia coli and enterococci. The health risks associated with chemical pollution are less well known and therefore more difficult to detect.
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