Urbanization industrialization and other human activities effect quality of water adversely as well as the availability of safe drinking water. This review presents causes, health hazards & effects of water pollution on biodiversity & its control. Water is essential for e existence of all life forms. In addition to household uses, water is vital for agriculture, industry, fishery and tourism etc. increasing population, urbanization and industrialization has led to the decreased availability of water. The quality of water used is also being deteriorated as it is getting more and more polluted. You may be aware of at least some health hazards and harmful effects of water pollution. In this lesson a detailed account of various types, sources and effects of water pollutants is given. Some methods of water pollution control and legislatures involved have also been discussed.