When people started to properly dispose of the fecal waste, they miraculously diminished the number of those dying from cholera, typhoid fever, and other plagues. Actually, microbiological water pollution was not a miracle, humans then had realized what exactly is the cause of the health threats that the animal and human fecal waste poses. Different bacterium representatives, protozoa, and viruses are present in the feces and all of them can find their way in both the recreational water and the one we consider potable.
Human fecal waste
More than a million microorganisms can be found even in the tiniest mote of feces. Most of them are something normally present in our bodies without interefring with our fitness but there are some which may prove to be fatal.
If we had not invented various ways for sewage treatment before refuse in rivers and oceans, there would have been many more people perishing from waterborne diseases than there are now. Unfortunately, there are times when sewers are overflowing. This means that fecal matter may come into contact with us and place us in danger. If even small amount of such waste escapes, it is capable of contaminating ground and surface water and causing multiple diseases and even deaths.
Animals and agricultural water pollution
Billions are the tonnes of manure which is made every year. As already explained, these feces contain some detrimental forms. The derangement-causing bacteria Campylobacter and Salmonella are found in chicken excrements, and the pernicious Giardia or Escherichia coli may be present in the fecal matter of the cattle. Another dangerous type of microbes – Pfiesteria can be found in coastal regions and it presents there due to the fact that an intensive livestock production is exercised in the area.