Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Water pollution occurs when harmful substances contaminate rivers, lakes, or groundwater, making the water unfit or harmful for use.
Step 2: Cause 1:
Industrial effluents: Many factories discharge untreated or partially treated chemical waste directly into rivers and streams, introducing toxic substances, heavy metals, and organic pollutants.
Step 3: Cause 2:
Domestic sewage: Untreated household sewage and waste from towns and cities is often let into rivers (e.g. the Ganga and Yamuna), adding organic waste, pathogens, and detergents.
Step 4: Final Answer:
Two major causes: (1) discharge of untreated industrial effluents into water bodies, and (2) discharge of untreated domestic sewage from towns and cities.