Water pollution

How it is used

Often described by source: point source pollution (from a pipe or outfall) and diffuse pollution (from farmland or streets). Regulators set discharge limits and monitor indicators such as BOD, COD, nitrates and heavy metals. For drinking water, 'contamination' is the more usual word.

Example sentences

1. Water pollution from untreated textile wastewater has turned parts of the river red.

2. Farm runoff is now the biggest cause of water pollution in the basin.

Common collocations

• water pollution control
• prevent water pollution
• point source pollution
• diffuse pollution
• discharge limits

Related terms

• pollutionThe presence in air, water or soil of harmful substances, or of noise, light or heat, at levels that damage people's health, wildlife or the environment.
• wastewater treatmentThe process of removing pollutants from used water from homes, businesses and industry so that it can be safely released into rivers or the sea, or reused.
• eutrophicationA process in which too many nutrients, mainly nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers and sewage, enter a lake or sea, so algae grow rapidly and their decay uses up the oxygen in the water.
• microplasticsVery small pieces of plastic, less than 5 millimeters long, that come from larger items breaking down, synthetic clothing, tires or products such as cosmetics.
• environmental monitoringThe regular measurement and recording of environmental conditions, such as air and water quality, noise or wildlife, to check compliance and detect changes over time.

More terms: Pollution and Environmental Quality

• air quality
• particulate matter (PM)
• ozone layer
• smog
• acid rain
• soil contamination