Question

if a factory is located near a river, how does it affect the people living close to that river

Answer 1

People living there can be affected by the moist/smell of the wastes coming from the factory. If they're using the water in the river, they can affected by the chemical compounds.

Answer 2

1) The polluted water is used for drinking, will cause severe kidney and liver problems in humans.

2) If the polluted water is used for agriculture the pollutants like cadmium and lead etc, will be absorbed by crops and may lead to the destruction of the crops.

3) It kills marine life (eg: -  small fishes)