The correct option is (c) 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
Water pollution control relies on preserving natural ecological buffers that regulate the hydrological cycle and implementing technological interventions to treat anthropogenic waste.Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: Forest and vegetation cover act as a natural barrier to surface runoff. The roots bind the soil and the canopy intercepts rainfall, reducing the speed of water flow. This allows time for water to percolate into the soil, effectively replenishing underground water tables (aquifers).
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: Agricultural chemicals, such as inorganic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, are significant contaminants. When washed away by rain (surface runoff), they enter water bodies, causing issues like eutrophication and chemical toxicity, rendering the water unsafe.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Effluents from industries and urban settlements contain harmful physical, chemical, and biological pollutants. Treating these effluents in Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) or Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) to remove contaminants before discharging them into water bodies is a fundamental method of pollution control.
Key Takeaway: Vegetation is essential for groundwater recharge and reducing runoff velocity, while untreated agricultural runoff and industrial effluents are primary sources of water pollution.