What's in our water? Report warns of growing 'invisible' crisis of pollution

Climate emergency and population growth blamed for deteriorating water quality, with 'cocktail of chemicals' changing as countries become richer

The planet is facing a mounting and "invisible" water pollution crisis, according to a hard-hitting World Bank report, which claims the issue is responsible for a one-third reduction in potential economic growth in the most heavily affected areas.

The study, which assembled the world's largest database of water pollution, assesses how a combination of bacteria, sewage, chemicals and plastics suck oxygen from water supplies and transform water into poison for people and ecosystems.

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