Ch 11.3 & 4 Using Water Wisely Pgs. 280-289 IN: What are some problems we face with water shortages here in Southern Nevada?

Terms to Learn & Objectives Ground water water table aquifer porosity Permeability point-source pollution sewage treatment plant Objectives: *Describe the characteristics of an aquifer. *Describe the stages of treatment for water at a sewage treatment plant. *Explain how ground water can be both a renewable and a nonrenewable resource.

Ground water Water located within the rocks below the Earth’s surface is an important resource and plays a role in erosion and deposition. Water accumulates in an area know as the zone of saturation the top of which is the water table. The water table rises and falls with the seasons so it can be renewed naturally. Sometimes we use the water faster than it can renew itself.

Rock Layers Porous rocks have open spaces between the individual rock layers. Permeable rocks’ pores are connected and so water can pass through.

Aquifers A rock layer that stores and allows the flow of water is called an aquifer. Usually the rock layer above an aquifer must be porous and permeable such as sandstone or limestone.

What kind of rock covers Nevada? Hint, Nevada was once covered with an ocean.

Groundwater Erosion and Deposition Ground water can dissolved certain types of rock such as limestone forming caves. Sometimes the water drips and forms stalactites on the ceilings of caves, or stalagmites on the floors.

Ch. 11.4 Using Water Wisely

Cleaning Polluted Water Sewage treatment plants are factories that clean the waste materials out of water that comes from the sewer or drains. Primary Treatment removes solid material such as paper and plastic or oil on top. Secondary Treatment aerates the water and it is treated with bacteria and chlorine.

Point-source Pollution: comes from one particular point, such as a sewer pipe. Nonpoint-source pollution: comes from runoff from general sources.

Where the water goes

What’s goin’on? Lake Mead is shrinking. Levels are becoming a major concern.

The Southern Nevada Water Authority Patricia Mulroy is heading the plan to build the pipeline from White Pine County to Las Vegas

The Plan SNWA has plans to build a pipeline to Las Vegas from the aquifer in White Pine county.

The Opposition Great Basin Water Network (GBWN) - Stop Nevada Water Grabs!

What do you think?