NEET BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The Safe Drinking Water Act defines the term “contaminant” as meaning any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance or matter in water.

Detailed explanation-2: -Fertilizers are made of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus. When it rains, these nutrients are carried by storm-water into the nearest stream, river, or other water body. Too many nutrients in water can cause algae to grow, which uses up the oxygen in the water.

Detailed explanation-3: -The main water pollutants include bacteria, viruses, parasites, fertilisers, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, nitrates, phosphates, plastics, faecal waste and even radioactive substances.

Detailed explanation-4: -The most common drinking water contaminants are microorganisms, nitrate, and arsenic. Water quality monitoring has improved over the past five years. Bacteria, viruses, and protozoa (such as Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium) are drinking water contaminants that can rapidly cause widespread and serious illnesses.