Effects of Urbanization on Water Quality

Impacts of Urbanization on Water Quality ABSTRACT

Rapid migration of people from rural to urban areas creates problems in terms of water consumption and water quality . Stress on water resources is oftentimes increased in to supply for a greater population Urban environments also produce a large amount of wastes , which in some large poorer cities are directly discharged into water systems . Even countries with effective sewage treatment systems still contribute to water pollution through non-point sources such as urban run offs

Wastes coming from urban areas create three kinds of water

pollution organic pollution , chemical pollution and heat pollution . Organic pollutants are generated by sewage treatment plants and other effluents rich in decomposable material . These kind of pollutants affect the water in three ways : depletion of the water 's oxygen content , promotion of eutrophication and introduction of pathogenic microorganisms Chemical pollutants include nitrogen-derivatives , trace elements and chlorinated solvents , which have deleterious effects on the health of humans and aquatic organisms . Heat pollution is generated by infrastructures and shallow ponds that both absorb and store the sun 's heat during the dry season and produces warm water during a storm Increased water temperature could lead to the disappearance of sensitive aquatic species

The use of technology facilitates the prevention of continued water pollution . Organic pollutants can be removed by the use of effective wastewater treatment systems . Chemical pollutants are addressed by the use of physico-chemical processes such as precipitation , adsorption , ion exchange and membrane filtration

Water quality management strategies are the answer to the world 's need to prevent degradation and enhance water quality . These strategies include designation of the uses of water bodies in to formulate water quality criteria for these water systems the creation of water quality standards the adoption of policies that would implement these standards and the implementation of general policies that prevent degradation and further the enhancement of water quality . Innovative planning of urban landscapes and implementation of sustainable practices should be included in these strategies

The continuous and rapid influx of people from rural to urban areas creates many problems especially in terms of water consumption and water quality . As development occurs , stress on water resources is oftentimes increased in to supply for a greater population (United States Geological Survey [USGS] 2005 . Furthermore , since urbanization is usually associated with rapid and unplanned growth , poverty and environmental degradation - especially true in poorer countries - water pollution becomes more eminent as wastewater treatment and sanitation facilities are often inadequate (Dangendorf 2004 . Wastes coming from these areas are conveniently released into surface and ground waters

Sources of water pollution in urban areas can be classified into two main groups : point sources and non-point or diffused sources . Wastes generated by a point source are relatively easy to control . Point sources discharge the waste directly into the water stream . In developing and less developed nations , cities discharge the wastes coming from residential areas directly into rivers and other surface waters . Technology exists for point sources of pollution to...