water pollution
/ˈwɔːtər pəˈluːʃən/ · wa·ter pol·lu·tion
noun
- The presence of harmful substances—such as chemicals, waste, or pathogens—in natural or artificial water bodies, rendering the water unsafe for drinking, recreation, or ecological health. The city’s river suffered severe water pollution after the factory discharged untreated effluent.
- The process or act of contaminating water with pollutants. Agricultural runoff is a major source of water pollution in many rural regions.
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Did you know? The term 'water pollution' entered mainstream awareness during the 1960s environmental movement and was codified in U.S. law with the Clean Water Act of 1972, which aimed to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters.