IMPACT OF GROUND WATER POLLUTION

 The impacts of Ground Water Pollution can be summed up as under

HEALTH

Ground water containing bacteria and viruses can result in illnesses such as hepatitis, cholera, etc.

Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome,” an illness affecting infants, can be caused by drinking water that is high in nitrates.

Benzene, a component of gasoline, is a known human carcinogen.

The serious health effects of lead are well known—learning disabilities in children; nerve, kidney, and liver problems; and pregnancy risks.

Arsenic poisoning can lead to skin diseases, gastro-intestinal diseases and cancer. Fluoride contamination leads to damaged joints, bone deformities, flurosis. Prolonged intake of high Iron containing water can cause haemochromatosis.

 

ENVIRONMENT

It can cause certain types of nutrients that are necessary in small amounts to become far too abundant to sustain normal life in a given ecosystem.

Also, when the pollutants mix with water bodies, alteration of the aquatic ecosystem may also occur. Aquatic animals such as fishes may die off quickly as a result of too many contaminants in the water bodies.

Animals and plants using contaminated water may also be affected. Toxic substances accumulate with time in the aquifers and once the prime spreads it may render the groundwater unsuitable for human and animal consumption.

Contamination of groundwater leads to reduction in soil quality and affects productivity. High salinity also results in decrease in agricultural productivity.

 

ECONOMIC

High clean up costs.

High costs for alternative water supplies.

Increased disease burden- higher costs for health.