Water Pollution: Emerging Threats and Sustainable Solutions

Water is the foundation of life and an indispensable resource for ecological sustainability, economic development, food security, and public health. Despite covering nearly 71% of the Earth's surface, accessible freshwater constitutes less than 1% of global water resources. Rapid industrialization, urbanization, agricultural intensification, population growth, and climate change have significantly increased the burden of water pollution worldwide. Rivers, lakes, groundwater systems, wetlands, and coastal ecosystems are increasingly contaminated by pollutants ranging from heavy metals and industrial chemicals to emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals, microplastics, and endocrine-disrupting compounds. This book presents a comprehensive examination of water pollution, its causes, consequences, monitoring techniques, control measures, policy frameworks, and future solutions. It integrates scientific principles, technological innovations, environmental management strategies, and case studies from around the world. Special emphasis is placed on sustainable water management, advanced treatment technologies, artificial intelligence applications, and global environmental governance.