ABSTRACT The research work focuses on the effects of water pollution in Abudu, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State. The effects of water pollution are numerous. These include production of unfit water, loss of revenue and jobs, epidemic of diseases, destruction of habitat etc. There are many causes of water pollution which include fishing, laying of pipes in water bodies, storing of explosives in water bodies, release of chemicals into water bodies, sewage, water transportation etc. These problems could be prevented or controlled, if government and non governmental agencies join hands together to bring awareness and enact laws which will sanction offenders.
CHAPTER ONE
BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Water is a vital commodity of life when it is polluted, it becomes useless. So water pollution is defined as the contamination of water with pollutants and other contaminants. The effects of pollution on water are diverse and affect human, plant, animals and the environment at large causing genetic disorder and diseases. Water can exist in three states of matter which is the solid, liquid and the gaseous state. Water pollution also affects aquatic life both flora and fauna. They are polluted when the water is polluted with natural agents such as pollen grains, dust and volcanic ash. Moreover, human play a role in polluting water, letting out harmful sewage and other contaminants from industries and factories and household garbages.
WATER POLLUTION AFFECTS THE FOLLOWING
1. Plant life 2. Animal life 3. Health 4. Environment 5. Economy Man should control this problem which has now become a local and national threat. If the problem of water pollution is not checked, it will cause more harm to the nation and world at large. Since the water body is estimated seventy percent (70%) of the earth surface.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The effects of water pollution are so numerous that explanation can no longer express it especially the one faced by the Abudu people. Water pollution affects all parts of life, due to the fact that many organisms can not do without it, but the way to bring a concise cure to the menace matters a lot it is caused by many factors which may include: 1. Sewage 2. Chemical deposition 3. Transportation 4. Heat The above factors and many others produce a very strong effect on the water and those that consume it. Such effects are diseases, economic depreciation and environmental destruction. Diseases outbreak such as cholera outbreak and typhoid fever are due to water pollution. The destruction of fishes and other marine life could destabilize the economy. Environmental disaster such as the death of living organism like fishes and plants affect lives. Since water pollution affects man and the environments, ways should be planned to stop the rising problem.
