India’s Severe Water Pollution Problem

By: Renate Schmid

Hindus come from around the world to bath in the sacred water of the Ganges River. They believe it can cleanse them of their sins.

The Problem

Nearly 80% of sewer wastes lead to rivers, lakes, and ponds.

The famous Ganges River is one of the most polluted bodies of water in the world.

Many let their deceased loved ones have their final resting place in the river, especially if they cannot afford cremation. In January 2015,

100 cadavers were found in the Ganges River in Northern India.

Hindus drink water from the Ganges. It is said to have healing powers for the soul, but it is killing people daily.

Most common diseases obtained from the Ganges.

gastrointestinal disease: diseases involving the gastrointestinal tract, namely the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and rectum, and the accessory organs of digestions, the liver, gallbladder, and pancreascholera: A bacterial disease causing severe diarrhea and dehydrationdysentery: Inflammation of the intestines accompanied by bloody diarrheahepatitis-A: A highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virustyphoid fever: a bacterial disease of the intestines, caused by Salmonella typhi by the spread of feces in contaminated water.

This is a standard toilet used in India. Notice no running water is used to push contents after being used.

Residents illegally hire sewer cleaners to move sewage.

Sewer cleaners are paid to move the sewage down the pipes. About 70% of them die on the job.

Open defecation is quite normal in India.

The Ganges River leads into the Bay of Bengal, which opens to the Indian Ocean. Bangladesh and India constantly conflict with each other about water contamination.

Citizens of India gather for their bi-weekly water dispersion.

Meanwhile, India spends about $1.1 Billion a year on their space program.

Solutions for the Indian people● Create rainwater catchment● create underground sewer system● The government should supply or make a law that every building

have a toilet● Supply running water throughout buildings● Ban sewers from exiting into rivers and lakes● Create more water sanitation operations● Stricter laws on open defecation and water burials● Until determined safe, ban swimming in the Ganges River● Supply medicines to people affected by water diseases

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