Water pollution (Environmental law )

 

 Water pollution (Environmental law )

Introduction

 Environmental means the physical factors of the surroundings of human beings including the land, soil, water, atmosphere, climate, sound, odors, tastes and the biological factors of the animal and plants of every description. In 21^st century we brings with us the environmental issues for time to time such as loss of bio diversity deforestation, climate change, disaster, exploitation of natural resources etc. Eventhough present generation face lot of issues related with Water pollution.

 

Water is an indispensable resource for people and organism. Statistic said 2/3 % of water is   around the world.  However, water pollution    affect not only   individuals   living species, but also populations and entire functioning ecosystem that exists in the water.

 

Water is the most important resource for survival on a planet. It is the essence of life on our planet – Earth. Yet if you ever see a river or lake around your city, it would be evident to you that we are facing a very serious problem of Water pollution. Let us educate ourselves about water and water pollution. Two-thirds of the Earth’s surface is covered by water, seventy-six perfect of your body is made up of water.

 

Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies, usually as a result of human activities. Water bodies include for example lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers and groundwater. Water pollution results when contaminants are introduced into the natural environment.

 

Sources and causes of water pollution

Some of the water pollutions are caused by direct Sources, such as factories, waste management facilities, refineries, etc, that directly releases waste and dangerous by-products into the nearest water source without treating them. Indirect sources include pollutants that infuse in the water bodies via groundwater or soil or via the atmosphere through acidic rain. Acid rain can turn lakes acidic, killing fishes and other animals. Water pollution can have disastrous effects on the environment. Pollution in the water can reach a point where there is not enough oxygen in the water for the fish to breathe. Small fishes absorb pollutants, such as chemicals, into their bodies.

 

Effects of Pollution of Water

The effects of Water Pollution are:

1.     Diseases:   In humans, drinking or consuming polluted water in any way has many disastrous effects on our health. It causes typhoid, cholera, hepatitis and various other diseases.

2.     Eradication of Ecosystem:  Ecosystem is extremely dynamic and responds to even small changes in the environment. Increasing water pollution can cause an entire ecosystem to collapse if left unchecked.

3.     Eutrophication: Chemicals accumulation and infusion in a water body, encourages the growth of algae. The algae form a layer on top of the pond or lake. Bacteria feed on this algae and this event decreases the amount of oxygen in the water body, severely affecting the aquatic life there.

4.  Effects of the food chain: Turmoil in food chain happens when the aquatic animals (fish, prawns, seahorse, etc) consume the toxins and pollutants in the water,  and then the humans consume them.

Prevention of Water Pollution

The best way to prevent large-scale water pollution is to try and reduce its harmful effects. There are numerous small changes we can make to protect ourselves from a future where water is scarce.

1.     Conserve Water: Conserving water should be our first aim. Water wastage is a major problem globally and we are only now waking up to the issue. Simple small changes made domestically will make a huge difference.

2.     Treatment of sewage: Treating waste products before disposing of it in water bodies helps reduce water pollution on a large scale. Agriculture or other industries can reuse this wastewater by reducing its toxic contents.

3.     Use of environment-friendly products: By using soluble products that do not go on to become pollutants, we can reduce the amount of water pollution caused by a household.

 

Laws and enactments related to the water pollution in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, there is lot of act legislation enacted to prevent water pollution, such as,

Marine pollution prevention Act No 59 of 1981

The aim of the act:

ü To provide for the prevention, reduction control of the pollution in Sri Lanka water and to give effect to certain international conventions.

ü Part 11 established both criminal and civil liability respective for oil pollution damages.

Coast Conservation Act No 57 of 1981

ü To make provision for survey zone and the preparation of coastal zone management.

ü To regulate and control development activities within the coastal zone.

Central Environmental Authority Act No. 47 of 1980

An act to establish a central environmental authority to make provision with respect to the powers, functions and duties of that authority and to make provision for the protection and management of the environment.

National Environmental (Amendment) Act, No. 56 of 1988 [Certified on 12 December, 1988] an act to amend the national environmental act, no. 47 of 1980

This amended Act stated that, the protection and management of the environment, management and enhancement of the environment, maintenance and control of the quality of the environment, and the prevention, abatement and control of pollution.

Part I: Section (I) — General Government Notifications

The National Environmental Act No 47 of 1980

Order under Section 23A

By virtue of the powers vested in me by section 23A of the National Environmental Act, No. 47 of 1980 as amended by Act, Nos. 56 of 1988 and 53 of 2000. Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, do by this Order, determine the activities set out in the Schedule hereto as activities for which a License is required under the aforesaid section being activities which involves or results in discharging, depositing or emitting waste into the environment causing pollution.

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act No 2 of 1996

Act provides for the management and regulation, conservation and development of fisheries aquatic resources in Sri Lanka. This Act made balance between concepts of conservation and sustainable use of fisheries resources.

Conclusion

 

Water pollution has effects on the general economy and prevention methods should be initiated. Prevention strategies should involve strict policies that govern the discharge of untreated wastes into water bodies and the development of adequate sewage systems. The government should also look into the issue of water security and ensure that there is adequate water for all citizens through effective planning and management.