Water Supply and Water Users

Water one of the most fascinating compounds on earth necessary ingredient for all living organisms

covers about 70% of the earth of the earth’s surface 340 million cubic miles of water on the planet

97% is in oceans 2% is freshwater 1% is frozen in glaciers and icecaps

The water cycle the amount of water on and around this planet is fairly constant availability of water is not as constant

water is continuously moving from place to place the water cycle is called the hydrologic cycle

powered by solar energy heats the water causing it to rise into the atmosphere called evaporation

water eventually returns to the ocean in the form of rain, sleet or snow returned water is called meteoric water

if the oceans were not recharged, their water level would decrease over 40 inches per year

the oceans are the largest reservoir of water we know this water is unsuitable for drinking, agricultural use, or industrial use because of the high salt content

the salt is left behind when the ocean water evaporates once the water has evaporated, it forms clouds

the water then comes back to the earth as rain, sleet or snow clouds may drop water over land or over the ocean

rainwater accounts for only 1% of the total water supply rain is vital in keeping the water balance on earth

role of plants and animals in the cycle plants absorb water through their roots and release it through tiny pores in their leaves called stomates

evaporation of water from plants is called transpiration animals also need water for their growth promotes chemical activity, regulates temperature

and transports nutrients through the blood of animals 65% of an animals weight is water

surface water about 30% of the rainfall in the US falls into out lakes, ponds and streams

this surface water is the most important element to the conservationist used by people over and over as it makes its way toward the ocean

used for agriculture industrial domestic needs

Pollution renders much of the water unsuitable for our needs

Ground water water that does not either evaporate or run off - soaks into the earth

Three zones surface - dry soil accepts water until saturated zone of aeration - empty spaces filled with air, extends from the deepest roots to just above the water table

groundwater zone - below zone of aeration water saturated rocks called aquifers can equal about 100 years of surface runoff volume

Main components oceans evaporation - transpiration plants and animals surface water ground water

Water users variation in population densities U.S. Population drinks about 100 million gallons of water per day only a fraction of water used

agriculture industry hydroelectric plants fish and wildlife recreational and domestic

Agriculture main use is irrigation most common methods include: surface and sprinkler techniques

Industry uses more water than any other raw material only a small part of the water is actually consumed used as a medium for other processes

canning - water is used to clean product and the containers cool ovens boil the product wash away wastes

may become part of the product most water is recycled or returned to the natural water cycle in a drainage ditch or stream

paper is made in water industry draws about 40 billion gallons of water per day water supply - major factor in location of industry

strong pollution control methods to recycle water rather than draw from an outside source

Hydroelectric plants major use of water US leads the world in hydroelectric power supplies only a small portion of our needs

Hydroelectric Plants concern is with damming of rivers fish runs are interrupted habitat is changed puts wildlife in danger

Fish and Wildlife the way water is handled affects the fish in the water and the wildlife around the water

land wildlife, inland birds, waterfowl different species require different types of water

some fish prosper in cold mountain streams some may prefer fast running rapids

Recreation boating, water skiing, fishing, sailing and swimming Swimming pools - require a lot of water to keep them in compliance with health regs.

frozen water activities ice skating, hockey, snowboarding and skiing

Domestic Uses cooking baths or showers carry away wastes Each American uses more water than any other person in the world

In the US each person uses approximately 150 gallons of water per day bath gallons shower - 5 gallons per minute

Wash clothes - 30 gallons flush the toilet - 3 gallons water the lawn and garden, wash cars fire protection

Use How wasteful can we be and still have enough clean water to survive?