POLLUTION OF WATER

1. Which property of water is the major cause of its

pollution?
Water has the property to dissolve a large number of
substances. This property of water is a major cause of it
pollution.
2. Define water pollutants and water pollution.
Water Pollution is defined as the change in the normal
properties of water by the presence of foreign materials.
Water Pollutants are the substance (foreign materials) that
pollute water are called water pollutants.
3. How can you recognise the presence of pollutants in
water?
1) Bad taste of drinking water.
2) Offensive odour from lakes, rivers and ocean beaches.
3) Unchecked growth of aquatic weeds in water bodies.
4) Decrease in number of fish in fresh water, river water, sea
water etc.
5) Oil and grease floating on water surface.
4. List some causes of water pollution.
1) Human activities like bathing and washing clothes in rivers
and ponds.
2) Industrial wastes also pollute water to a large extent and
are responsible for many diseases
3) Agricultural wastes like fertilisers, pesticides also pollute
the underground water. When this water is used for
drinking purposes, it harms the human body. These
fertilisers also enter the water ways. In the water, these
chemicals enter the body of aquatic animals.
4) Domestic sewage in big cities is released into rivers. This
sewage promotes the growth of algae and bacteria which
use up a large amount of oxygen dissolved in water. This
causes depletion of oxygen in water. This leads to death of
aquatic animals.
5) Oil spills from oil tankers in high cities.
6) Pollution of water by acids is harmful to the aquatic life.
We have already discussed the acid rain in the previous
chapter. Rain water consisting high proportion of the acid
mixes with sea water and pollutes it.
5. How agricultural wastes like fertilisers and pesticides
cause water pollution?
Agricultural wastes like fertilisers, pesticides also pollute the
underground water. When this water is used for drinking
purposes, it harms the human body. These fertilisers also
enter the water ways. In the water, these chemicals enter
the body of aquatic animals.
6. How domestic sewage causes water pollution?
Domestic sewage in big cities is released into rivers. This
sewage promotes the growth of algae and bacteria which
use up a large amount of oxygen dissolved in water. This
causes depletion of oxygen in water. This leads to death of
aquatic animals.

7. What is potable water and write the parameters that

must be followed before water is supplied for drinking
purposes?
The water that is fit for drinking is called potable water.
The following parameters must be followed before water is
supplied for drinking purposes
1) It must be colourless and free from any odour or smell.
2) It must be free from suspended impurities.
3) It should be tasteless.
4) It must be free from microorganisms which lead to many
diseases.
5) It must be free from harmful chemicals.
8. What is the purpose of purifying water?
The purpose of purification is to
1) Remove suspended impurities.
2) Destroy harmful germs.
9. How alum is used for purifying water containing
suspended impurities?
When alum is added to a beaker containing suspended
impurities, it starts sticking to the impurities and further
make it heavier. These particles now starts settling down at
the bottom of the container. The water becomes clear.
10.
Explain any two physical and one chemical
method of purifying water to make it safe for
drinking.
1) Filteration Water can be purified by passing it through
sand, gravel and charcoal. This is a physical method for
removing impurities. This has been a commonly used
method in Indian Villages.
2) Boiling In houses, boiling is commonly used to purify
water. High temperature kills germs.
3) Chlorination This is a chemical method for purifying
water. It is done by adding chlorine tablets or bleaching
powder to water. We should not use more chlorine tablets
than specified.
11.
State/suggest any three measures that must be
taken to check pollution by sewage.
1) Sewage must be churned by machines. The churned
sewage is passed into a tank with a gentle slope. Heavier
particles settle down and the water flowing down is
relatively pure.
2) Treatment of water with alum also helps in its purification.
3) Water must be sterilised by chlorination. It kills the
microbes.
12.
How is industrial waste treated in water plant?
The treatment of industrial waste depends upon the nature
of the pollutants present. The chemical substance present in
the industrial waste dissolved in water can be precipitated
by suitable chemicals and removed from water.
Laws for industrial units should be strictly implemented and
enforced so that polluted water is not disposed off directly

into rivers and lakes. Water treatment plants should be

installed in all industrial areas.
13.
How can you as a student conserve water? (any 5
ways)
1) Avoid using shower. Instead use a bucket and mug for
taking bath.
2) While brushing your teeth do not leave the tap open.
3) Never pour water down the drain when there may be
another use for it, such as watering a plant or cleaning.
4) When washing dishes by hand, do not leave the water
running for rinsing.
5) Do not use drinking water to clean your car.