Climate & Environment

Water Pollution

Meaning statusEstablishedSource recordDirect document linkedWhy these are different

Definition

Water pollution is the contamination of surface water and groundwater by physical, chemical or biological agents — including nutrients, pathogens, chemicals, plastics, sediments and heat — from point sources such as discharges and diffuse sources such as agricultural runoff. It impairs ecosystem health and human uses of water.

References

environment.ec.europa.euBulk import source

This reference provides supporting context for how “Water Pollution” is defined and used.

www.epa.govBulk import source

Source imported for editorial provenance.

Overview

How it is used

Regulators set water quality standards and effluent limits; companies disclose effluent management under GRI 303; ESG assessments treat pollution incidents as environmental risks; basin plans set pollution load targets.

Why it matters

Water pollution undermines drinking-water safety, food security and biodiversity, and its impacts fall disproportionately on low-income communities, linking environmental and social sustainability.