State the basic meaning of water resources and explain it in the broad sense and narrow sense, respectively. State the basic meaning of water resources and explain it in the broad sense and narrow sense, respectively. State the basic meaning of water resources and explain it in the broad sense and narrow sense, respectively. State the basic meaning of water resources and explain it in the broad sense and narrow sense, respectively. Solution Water resources are those resources which are having a potential to meet the ever rising demand of water. In narrow sense you can understand it as all the fresh water reserves like lakes, rivers , ponds , ground water, and glaciers, etc which is used by humans to drink, to irrigate, in industries and in all those commercial daily uses is obtained from the water resources. So it is very important for engineers to maintain the water resources and promote sustainable development. In broad sense, Water resources are the lifeline of any country. But all we need to know is water is getting scarce day by day: 1. Climate change: the global temperature is increasing day by day thereby increasing the water scarcity and droughts. 2. Ground water depletion: The excessive pumping out of ground water leads to permanent drawdown of water table hence depleting the reserve source of fresh water. 3. Rapid urbanisation: As today\'s world is growing rapidly and development requires industries which in turn requires water for industrial purposes, hence increased demand of water has to be completed by exploiting more fresh water reserves. Now there are a lot of factors which are affecting our water resources and in broader sense we need to scientifically find out ways to replenish these resources and minimising their exploitation..