Water Pollution and its Effect on Water Consumption in Akure

Human and industrial activities result in the discharge of various pollutants into the aquatic environment (water) threatening the health of the population and damaging the quality of the environment by rendering water bodies unsuitable. Water pollution is a major problem in the global context (Yang et al, 2004). It has been suggested that is the leading worldwide cause of death and diseases, and that its accident for the death and diseases and accounts for death and more than 14,000 people daily (World Bank, 1990). Surface water pollution could threaten human, animal and ecosystem (Adamu Mustapha and Balabe Usman (2014). 

In addition to the acute problems of water pollution in developing countries, industrialized countries continue to struggle with pollution problems as well (Sachez-choliz and Daurtz, 2005). Water is typically referred to as polluted when it is impaired by anthropogenic contaminants and either does not support a human use like serving as drinking water and or undergoes a market shift in its ability to support its constituent biotic communities such as fish, natural phenomena such as volcanoes, algae blooms, storms and earthquakes also causes major changes in water quality and the ecological status of water (Farid, 2002).

 The new research concerning lead levels in drinking indicates that lead levels in our drinking water continue to be too high and may be more harmful than previously thought (FEPA, 1991). Drinking water quality criteria should be based on documented health effects research consumer acceptance, demonstrated treatment techniques and effective utility management. The minimum criteria should be as defined by federal, state and provincial regulations that take into account appropriate health and cost considerations (Everpure, 1997). Water pollution or contamination also places other resources at risk, fisheries and land resources for example, has already been affected significantly. Contribution to water pollution include substance drawn from the air, silt from soil erosion, chemical fertilizers and pesticides, run-off from septic tanks, outflow from livestock feed lot, chemical waste (some toxic) from industries, and sewage and other urban wastes, from cities and towns (Fewtrell and Clofford, 2004). 

Contaminated storm water washed of parking lots, roads and highways, called urban runoff, is sometimes included under the category of non point source pollution. (Hung and Shaw, 2004, Khan, 1997) example of point sources pollution (pipe or ditch) include discharges from a sewage treatment plant, a factory or a city storm drain (Harrington et al, 1989; HertzPicciotto et al, 2000). Oils and anti-freeze leaked from vehicles also pollute water. Children and new born babies are mostly affected by the consequences of water pollution which can be seen from the high infant mortality rate in the country (Ilegbodu et al, 2007). On the other hand, Jimoh et al, 2007 declared that health deteriorations have seriously been raised due to persistence human and animal productivity declination. Some industrial facilities, generates ordinary domestic sewage which can install a pre-treatment system to remove the toxic components and then send the partially treated wastewater to the municipal system or industries generating large volumes on site treatment systems (Esrey et al, 1991). Waste management has become increasingly complex due to the increase in human population, industrial and technological revolution (Akinbile and Yussoff (2011).