Water pollution is the contamination of water masses such as lakes, rivers, oceans, groundwater and aquifers through different pollutants, directly or indirectly. It affects the entire ecosystem. Water pollution is the lead cause of deaths and diseases worldwide.[1] As long as the water does not support a human use such as drinking water, it is considered to be polluted.

In this paper, I want to discuss the problem of water pollution in India. The main source of this issue is untreated sewage. India not only lacks sufficient treatment capacity but also the fact that existing sewage treatment plants either do not work or are not maintained.[2] A graph from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) shows that the number of water pollution monitoring stations has increased from 18 in 1977-8 to 1700 in 2009-10.[3] This does show the country’s concern towards clean water but also shows the amount of increase in waste over the years. There are five reasons for water pollution in India. Firstly, urbanization in the recent decades has lead to waste water. 80% of the water supplied for domestic use passes out as wastewater, which is left untreated. Secondly, industrial waste that is discarded in water bodies is toxic to all living beings. More than 80% of this waste comes from thermal power plants. Small-scale industries cause the same amount of waste material as large-scale industries since they have no proper way for sanitation especially for their solid waste, which is just thrown away in pits. Thirdly, fertilizers and pesticides used in agriculture are wasted in the nearest water bodies through heavy rain showers or by the use of excess water in the fields. This has in return also polluted the groundwater. Fourthly, withdrawal of water from the Indian rivers, especially the Himalayan Rivers, through irrigational canals leads to no clean water flowing downstream. Only a small amount of water streams down which is joined by the untreated sewage waste. Fifthly, the religious and social practices in India are also one of the main causes for water pollution. Rituals such as disposing of dead bodies of cattle, cremating the dead bodies near the riverbank or tossing away partially burnt bodies in the river pollute the water and increase the dangers associated with it.[4]

0.4 million lives are lost annually in India due to water pollution.[5] The effects of water pollution in India are very extreme. It can cause diseases such as cholera or typhoid along with diarrhea. It can damage the heart and kidney as well. Contaminated water harm the aquatic life, which in return spoils the food chain. Along with the aquatic life, birds that get into oil-contaminated water die from cold water and air since their feathers get damaged in the process. Manure and urea are food for algae and bacteria feed off of algae, which reduces oxygen in water. This causes harm and death of the living organisms in the water. In addition, the wearing out of the soil leads to flooding.[6]

Since I am from India I have noticed this almost every day in my life. There are two kinds of people in India: one who do not get even a glass of water to drink and the other who misuse the utility that they get. For example, take the maids and servants working in my house. They will keep the tap water running while cleaning the utensils or leave the water pipe on in the garden. Another example of water pollution is that I live very close to Haridwar, which is one of the most religious cities in India and this is the place from where Ganga flows through. For the same reason, every time someone dies or needs to be burnt, this is where they take the person. Not only this, if you stand next to the river, you will see many people taking a bath in the Ganga river as it is considered to be very ‘holy’ and that ritual suggests that it purifies a person (internally) once again. I, personally, believe in God and I feel that it is good to believe and practice what you believe but at the same time I feel that there should be a system for the same. Like a country such as India where people will never stop following their rituals, I feel that the government should do something about it. For instance maybe they should clean the contaminated water of the Ganga River before it joins and meets up with other rivers and streams.

Solution: I believe that if we start somewhere small then it can slowly improve and increase the water quality. For instance, instead of using water pipes, I now suggest the people working in my house to use a bucket to water the plants since it will use less amount of water or by not leaving the tap water running all the time or by not throwing away drinking water.

[1] “Water pollution,” Wikipedia <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_pollution>

[2] “Water pollution in India,” Wikipedia <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_pollution_in_India>

[3] M.N. Murty and Surender Kumar, “Water pollution in India: An Economic Appraisal” <http://www.idfc.com/pdf/report/2011/Chp-19-Water-Pollution-in-India-An-Economic-Appraisal.pdf>

[4] Smriti Chand, “Major Causes of Water Pollution in India,” Your Article Library <http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/water-pollution/5-major-causes-of-water-pollution-in-india/19764/>

[5] M.N. Murty and Surender Kumar, “Water pollution in India: An Economic Appraisal” <http://www.idfc.com/pdf/report/2011/Chp-19-Water-Pollution-in-India-An-Economic-Appraisal.pdf>

[6] A.K. Bangia, “Effects of Water Pollution and Solutions,” Project Smile India < https://projectsmileindia.wordpress.com/2010/07/01/effects-of-water-pollution-solutions/>

 

(Brainstorming)

 

Original Idea

 

Inspiration: Argus’ artwork and Banksy’s quote

 

Change in design

 

The prototype of the final project in spray paint and muslin

 

Digital representation of the final piece with the poster (info graphic)

 

Materials that I will be using in my final piece are:

Spray paint

Stencil cut out on paper

Gloves

Dust mask

Poster/ Infographic