Water Pollution

Water pollution, involving the contamination of water bodies with harmful substances, poses a significant challenge to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Most directly, it affects SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), as it impairs the quality of water making it unsafe for consumption and use, thereby exacerbating water scarcity. It also impacts SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) since polluted water can lead to a variety of health issues, including waterborne diseases and poisoning. Water pollution threatens SDG 14 (Life Below Water) by damaging aquatic ecosystems, leading to the loss of biodiversity. Additionally, it can disrupt livelihoods dependent on these ecosystems, affecting SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Furthermore, addressing water pollution requires responsible consumption and production practices (SDG 12) to reduce the discharge of harmful substances into water bodies.