Social Science — CBSE Class 10 board question

Three factors responsible for water pollution are:

1. Domestic Waste: Large urban populations generate huge amounts of sewage and domestic waste that are discharged into rivers and water bodies, making water hazardous for use.

1. Industrial Waste: The ever-increasing number of industries releases chemicals and effluents into freshwater sources, severely polluting them.

1. Agricultural Chemicals: Excessive use of pesticides and fertilisers in agriculture seeps into groundwater and surface water, contaminating them and making water unsafe for human consumption.

Source: Water Scarcity and the Need for Water Conservation and Management, Chapter 3

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The textbook explicitly lists domestic wastes, industrial wastes, chemicals, pesticides and fertilisers as causes of water pollution. Examiners expect students to name each factor clearly and add a brief explanation (one line each). Avoid vague answers — always link the factor to how it pollutes water. Three factors = 1 mark each.