What is water pollution?

• Use your textbook to explain in two or three sentences what is meant by water quality and by water pollution.
• Watch the videos above.
• List and explain the causes of water pollution.
• Try to describe the effects of water pollution giving examples and using your senses.
• Use your textbook to explain the role played by AGRICULTURE, INDUSTRY and DOMESTIC users in causing water pollution.

Describing a polluted area of water - mini case study

Visit an area near your school or home where the water has been polluted and describe it as fully as possible using the headings below. You could take photos or draw a sketch to annotate as well:

• Appearance - think about colour, evidence of solid pollution, evidence of life. Is it still or moving? How does the surface appear?
• Smell - can you smell it? How strong is the smell? What does it smell of? Try to go beyond just good or bad - is it sweet or bitter? Natural or chemical? Does it remind you of anything?
• Sounds - are there any? What are they?
• Evidence of sources of pollution - can you see any evidence of what has happened?
• Surrounding area - where is this area of water? Is it being used? How? (Think domestic, industrial, agriculture)
• Emotional response - how does it make you feel? Why?