ABSTRACT
Freshwater is a finite resource, essential for agriculture, industry and even human existence. Without freshwater of adequate quantity and quality sustainable development will not be possible. Water pollution and wasteful use of freshwater threaten development projects and make water treatment essential in order to produce safe drinking water. Discharge of toxic chemicals, over-pumping of aquifers, long-range atmospheric transport of pollutants and contamination of water bodies with substances that promote algal growth (possibly leading to eutrophication) are some of today's major causes of water quality degradation.
