Groundwater contamination has numerous effects on humans, animals and the environment at large. Diseases such as inflammation of the liver and dysentery with blood may result from drinking contaminated water.
Certain cancers may develop as a result of continuous drinking of contaminated groundwater. Chronic groundwater contamination may reduce the availability of freshwater breaking the balance between water supply and demand leading to the social economic crisis.
Groundwater contamination affects the quality of land, crops, and wild animals. It can lead to soil contamination which can affect the entire ecosystem and the relationships that exists within organisms.
Once groundwater is contaminated, it is very difficult and expensive to reuse it. Among the many things that can be done to prevent contamination is proper chemical storage to prevent leaking and proper waste management from homes and industries.
Liquids, solids and particularly plastics should be properly discarded to prevent groundwater contamination.
This story was produced as part of the InfoNile Science Communication Competition- 2022.