The Hazards of High COD Levels in Water

A high Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) level in a water body is a critical indicator of severe organic pollution. This condition poses a multifaceted threat to the aquatic environment, human health, and economic activities.

Firstly, it devastates aquatic ecosystems. The decomposition of excessive organic matter by microorganisms consumes dissolved oxygen (DO) in the water. This leads to hypoxia (oxygen depletion), suffocating fish and other aquatic life, resulting in massive die-offs. Often, this process turns the water black and foul-smelling, effectively collapsing the entire ecosystem.

Secondly, it threatens human health. Water with high COD provides a breeding ground for pathogens, bacteria, and parasites. Contact with or accidental ingestion of such contaminated water can cause skin diseases and gastrointestinal infections. Furthermore, some organic pollutants are inherently toxic and pose long-term chronic health risks.

Thirdly, it impacts economic activities. This polluted water is unsuitable for irrigation, as it can harm crops, and cannot be used in industrial processes without extensive treatment, risking equipment damage and product contamination. This leads to significant economic losses for both agriculture and industry.

Finally, remediation is challenging and costly. Restoring a eutrophic or polluted water body requires advanced technology and is an extremely expensive and prolonged process.

In conclusion, controlling COD discharge is essential for protecting our precious water resources. It demands concerted efforts from industries, communities, and governments to prevent pollution at its source and safeguard water quality for all.