Organic Chemical Pollutants Within Water Systems and Sustainable Management Strategies

Water is a major component of life, covering about 70% of the earth’s surface. Presently, the demand for water has increased due to the increase in human population, which has in turn increased the generation of wastes from their activities. Wastewaters from industrial and municipal sources contain large amounts of pollutants, which are organic and are the main sources of pollution in aquatic systems. With this, there is a dire need for treatment of wastewater and other forms of pollutants in water to protect the aquatic environment. As espoused by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, water must be protected and conserved as expressed by Goals 6 (Clean water and Sanitation) and Goal 12 (Responsible consumption and production) so that life below water (Goal 14) and life on land (Goal 15) can be sustained. The removal of these organic pollutants is usually a function of the physicochemical properties and other organic carbon relationships. This chapter therefore highlights the characteristics, types, and categories of organic compounds, sustainable development approach to organic pollution, treatment (physical, chemical, thermal, electrochemical, phytoremediation, and biological processes), their risk assessment, the health risk, health quotient, mitigation strategies for organic pollutants, and the sustainable use of water and human health. Conclusively, the sustainable management strategies for organic pollutants such as the use of nano-adsorbents, phytoremediation, and degrading enzymes were highlighted.