What is water pollution?

WHO: 3.4 million premature deaths each year from waterborne diseases 1.9 million from diarrhea U.S. 1.5 million illnesses 1993 Milwaukee 370,000 sick

Infectious Agents: bacteria and viruses often from animal wastes

Oxygen Demanding Wastes: organic waste that needs oxygen often from animal waste, paper mills and food processing.

Inorganic Chemicals: Acids and toxic chemicals often from runoff, industries and household cleaners

Organic Chemicals: oil, gasoline, plastics, detergents often from surface runoff, industries and cleaners

Plant Nutrients: water soluble nitrates, ammonia  and phosphates often from sewage, agriculture and urban fertilizers

Sediment: soils and silts from land erosion can disrupt photosynthesis, destroy spawning grounds, clog rivers and streams

Heat Pollution and Radioactivity: mostly from powerplants