Surface water is just what the name implies; it is water found in a river, lake or other surface cavity. This water is usually not very high in mineral content, and is often called “soft water” even though it is probably not. Surface water is exposed to many different contaminants, such as animal wastes, pesticides, insecticides, industrial wastes, algae and many other organic materials. Even surface water found in what seems like pristine mountain streams can be contaminated by wild animal waste, dead animals upstream or other decay.
Groundwater is water contained in or by a subsurface layer of soil or rock. There are many sources recharging the supply of groundwater, including rain that soaks into the ground, rivers that disappear underground and melting snow. Because of the many sources of recharge, groundwater may contain any or all of the contaminants found in surface water as well as the dissolved minerals it picks up underground.
Various Causes of Water Pollution
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