2. Water FactsWater Facts
• Bathroom claimsBathroom claims
nearly 75% of waternearly 75% of water
useuse
• In 1990, the averageIn 1990, the average
person used 183person used 183
gallons of water pergallons of water per
day.day.
– The water use is aboutThe water use is about
50% higher in the west50% higher in the west
than the east.than the east.
3. WATER’S IMPORTANCE,WATER’S IMPORTANCE,
AVAILABILITY, AND RENEWALAVAILABILITY, AND RENEWAL
Comparison ofComparison of
population sizes andpopulation sizes and
shares of the world’sshares of the world’s
freshwater amongfreshwater among
the continents.the continents.
Figure 14-2Figure 14-2
4. Fig. 14-2, p. 307Fig. 14-2, p. 307
ContinenContinen
tt
Percent of world's water resourcesPercent of world's water resources
and populationand population
AsiAsi
aa
60.560.5
%%
3636
%%
AfricAfric
aa
1010
%%
88
%%EuropEurop
ee
North andNorth and
Central AmericaCentral America 7.37.3
%%
South AmericaSouth America
and Caribbeanand Caribbean 6.46.4
%%
2626
%%
1515
%%
55
%%OceaniOceani
aa
11.3%11.3%
0.5%0.5%
14%14%
5. WATER’S IMPORTANCE,WATER’S IMPORTANCE,
AVAILABILITY, AND RENEWALAVAILABILITY, AND RENEWAL
Some precipitation infiltrates the ground andSome precipitation infiltrates the ground and
is stored in soil and rock (groundwater).is stored in soil and rock (groundwater).
Water that does not sink into the ground orWater that does not sink into the ground or
evaporate into the air runs off (surface runoff)evaporate into the air runs off (surface runoff)
into bodies of water.into bodies of water.
The land from which the surface water drainsThe land from which the surface water drains
into a body of water is called itsinto a body of water is called its watershedwatershed oror
drainage basindrainage basin..
6. Fig. 14-3, p. 308Fig. 14-3, p. 308
Unconfined Aquifer Recharge AreaUnconfined Aquifer Recharge Area
PrecipitatioPrecipitatio
nn
Evaporation and transpirationEvaporation and transpirationEvaporatioEvaporatio
nn
ConfineConfine
dd
RechargRecharg
e Areae Area
RunofRunof
ff
FlowinFlowin
gg
artesiaartesia
n welln well
RechargeRecharge
UnconfinedUnconfined
AquiferAquifer
StreamStream
WellWell
requiring arequiring a
pumppump
InfiltrationInfiltration WaterWater
tabletable LakLak
eeInfiltrationInfiltration
UnconfinedUnconfined
aquiferaquifer
ConfinedConfined
aquiferaquiferConfining impermeable rock layer
Confining impermeable rock layer
Less permeableLess permeable
material such as clay
material such as clay
7. WATER’S IMPORTANCE,WATER’S IMPORTANCE,
AVAILABILITY, AND RENEWALAVAILABILITY, AND RENEWAL
We currently use more than half of theWe currently use more than half of the
world’s reliable runoff of surface water andworld’s reliable runoff of surface water and
could be using 70-90% by 2025.could be using 70-90% by 2025.
About 70% of the water we withdraw fromAbout 70% of the water we withdraw from
rivers, lakes, and aquifers is not returned torivers, lakes, and aquifers is not returned to
these sources.these sources.
Irrigation is the biggest user of water (70%),Irrigation is the biggest user of water (70%),
followed by industries (20%) and cities andfollowed by industries (20%) and cities and
residences (10%).residences (10%).
8. TOO LITTLE FRESHWATERTOO LITTLE FRESHWATER
About 41% of the world’s population livesAbout 41% of the world’s population lives
in river basins that do not have enoughin river basins that do not have enough
freshwater.freshwater.
Many parts of the world are experiencing:Many parts of the world are experiencing:
Rivers running dry.Rivers running dry.
Lakes and seas shrinking.Lakes and seas shrinking.
Falling water tables from overpumpedFalling water tables from overpumped
aquifers.aquifers.
9. Case Study: Who Should OwnCase Study: Who Should Own
and Manage Freshwaterand Manage Freshwater
ResourcesResources
There is controversy over whether waterThere is controversy over whether water
supplies should be owned and managed bysupplies should be owned and managed by
governments or by private corporations.governments or by private corporations.
European-based water companies aim toEuropean-based water companies aim to
control 70% of the U.S. water supply bycontrol 70% of the U.S. water supply by
buying up water companies and entering intobuying up water companies and entering into
agreements with cities to manage wateragreements with cities to manage water
supplies.supplies.
12. Saving waterSaving water
• Add bricks or two liter bottles filled withAdd bricks or two liter bottles filled with
water to your tank to reduce gpf.water to your tank to reduce gpf.
• Add food coloring to the tank, wait 30Add food coloring to the tank, wait 30
mins. If the bowl is colored then you havemins. If the bowl is colored then you have
a tank leak.a tank leak.
• Running water while shaving or brushingRunning water while shaving or brushing
teeth, wastes more water than what oneteeth, wastes more water than what one
person needs for an entire week.person needs for an entire week.
14. WHAT IS RWH?WHAT IS RWH?
RWH refers to collection andRWH refers to collection and
storage of rainwater and also otherstorage of rainwater and also other
activity such as harvesting surfaceactivity such as harvesting surface
water extracting ground water ,water extracting ground water ,
prevention of loss throughprevention of loss through
evaporation and seepageevaporation and seepage
15. PURPOSES OFPURPOSES OF
RWHRWH
Stored for ready use in containersStored for ready use in containers
ground or below groundground or below ground
Charged into the ground for withdrawalCharged into the ground for withdrawal
laterlater
16. BENEFITS OF RWHBENEFITS OF RWH
Rainwater harvesting prevents flooding ofRainwater harvesting prevents flooding of
lowlying areaslowlying areas
Rain water harvesting replenishes the groundRain water harvesting replenishes the ground
water table and enables our dug wells and borewater table and enables our dug wells and bore
wells to yield in a sustained mannerwells to yield in a sustained manner
It helps in the availability of clean water byIt helps in the availability of clean water by
reducing the salinity and the presence of ironreducing the salinity and the presence of iron
saltssalts
17. STORAGE OF RAINWATERSTORAGE OF RAINWATER
ON SURFACE FOR FUTUREON SURFACE FOR FUTURE
USEUSE
CHECK DAMSCHECK DAMS
RAINWATER HARVESTING FROM ROOFTOPRAINWATER HARVESTING FROM ROOFTOP
CATCHMENTSCATCHMENTS
SUBSURFACE DAMSSUBSURFACE DAMS
FARM PONDSFARM PONDS
18. Fig. 14-25, p. 333Fig. 14-25, p. 333
What Can YouWhat Can You
Do?Do?
Water Use and WasteWater Use and Waste
•• Use water-saving toilets, showerheads, and faucet aerators.Use water-saving toilets, showerheads, and faucet aerators.
•• Shower instead of taking baths, and take short showers.Shower instead of taking baths, and take short showers.
•• Stop water leaks.Stop water leaks.
•• Turn off sink faucets while brushing teeth, shaving, orTurn off sink faucets while brushing teeth, shaving, or
washing.washing.
•• Flush toilets only when necessary.Flush toilets only when necessary.
•• Wash only full loads of clothes or use the lowest water-levelWash only full loads of clothes or use the lowest water-level
for smaller loads.for smaller loads.
•• Use recycled (gray) water for lawn, gardens, houseUse recycled (gray) water for lawn, gardens, house
plants, car washing.plants, car washing.
•• Wash a car from a bucket of soapy water, and use the hoseWash a car from a bucket of soapy water, and use the hose
for rinsing only.for rinsing only.
•• If you use a commercial car wash, try to find one that recyclesIf you use a commercial car wash, try to find one that recycles
its water.its water.
•• Replace your lawn with native plants that need little if anyReplace your lawn with native plants that need little if any
watering and decorative gravel or rocks.watering and decorative gravel or rocks.
•• Water lawns and gardens in the early morning or evening.Water lawns and gardens in the early morning or evening.
•• Sweep or blow off driveways instead of hosing off withSweep or blow off driveways instead of hosing off with
water.water.
•• Use drip irrigation and mulch for gardens and flowerbeds.Use drip irrigation and mulch for gardens and flowerbeds.
24. Groundwater Depletion:Groundwater Depletion:
A Growing ProblemA Growing Problem
The Ogallala, the world’s largest aquifer, isThe Ogallala, the world’s largest aquifer, is
most of the red area in the center (Midwest).most of the red area in the center (Midwest).
Areas ofAreas of
greatest aquifergreatest aquifer
depletion fromdepletion from
groundwatergroundwater
overdraft in theoverdraft in the
continental U.S.continental U.S.
Figure 14-8Figure 14-8
25. Fig. 14-24, p. 331Fig. 14-24, p. 331
SolutionSolution
ss
Reducing FloodReducing Flood
DamageDamage
PreventioPreventio
nn
ControlControl
Preserve forestsPreserve forests
on watershedson watersheds
StrengthenStrengthen
and deepenand deepen
streamsstreams
(channelizatio(channelizatio
n)n)
Preserve andPreserve and
restore wetlandsrestore wetlands
in floodplainsin floodplains
Tax allTax all
development ondevelopment on
floodplainsfloodplains
Build levees orBuild levees or
floodwallsfloodwalls
along streamsalong streams
Use floodplainsUse floodplains
primarily forprimarily for
rechargingrecharging
aquifers,aquifers,
sustainablesustainable
agriculture andagriculture and
forestry, andforestry, and
recreationrecreation
BuildBuild
damsdams
26. RECHARGE TO GROUNDRECHARGE TO GROUND
WATERWATER
RECHARGE BORE PITRECHARGE BORE PIT
RECHARGE WELLRECHARGE WELL
RECHARGE WELL CUM BORE PITRECHARGE WELL CUM BORE PIT
SPREADING BASINSSPREADING BASINS
DITCHESDITCHES
HAND PUMPSHAND PUMPS
Figure 14.2
Natural capital shares: population and freshwater supplies on the world’s continents. QUESTION: What two major conclusions can you draw from these data? (Data from UNESCO, 2003)
Figure 14.3
Natural capital: groundwater system. An unconfined aquifer is an aquifer with a permeable water table. A confined aquifer is bounded above and below by less permeable beds of rock where the water is confined under pressure. Some aquifers are replenished by precipitation; others are not.
Figure 14.25
Individuals matter: ways you can reduce your use and waste of water. Visit www.h2ouse.org for an array of water-saving tips from the EPA and the California Urban Water Conservation Council that can be used anywhere. QUESTION: Which four of these actions do you think are the most important?
Figure 14.24
Solutions: methods for reducing the harmful effects of flooding. QUESTION: Which two of these solutions do you think are the most important?
