Water Supply and Water Users

1. Water Supply and Water Users Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office June, 2002

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

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

4. Water • 97% is in oceans • 2% is freshwater • 1% is frozen in glaciers and icecaps

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

6. The water cycle • water is continuously moving from place to place • the water cycle is called the hydrologic cycle

7. The water cycle • powered by solar energy • heats the water causing it to rise into the atmosphere • called evaporation

8. The water cycle • water eventually returns to the ocean in the form of rain, sleet or snow • returned water is called meteoric water

9. The water cycle • if the oceans were not recharged, their water level would decrease over 40 inches per year

10. The water cycle • 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

11. The water cycle • the salt is left behind when the ocean water evaporates • once the water has evaporated, it forms clouds

12. The water cycle • the water then comes back to the earth as rain, sleet or snow • clouds may drop water over land or over the ocean

13. The water cycle • rainwater accounts for only 1% of the total water supply • rain is vital in keeping the water balance on earth

14. The water cycle • 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

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

16. The water cycle • and transports nutrients through the blood of animals • 65% of an animals weight is water

17. The water cycle • surface water • about 30% of the rainfall in the US falls into out lakes, ponds and streams

18. The water cycle • 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

19. The water cycle • used for agriculture • industrial • domestic needs

20. Pollution • renders much of the water unsuitable for our needs

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

22. 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

23. Three zones • groundwater zone - below zone of aeration • water saturated rocks called aquifers • can equal about 100 years of surface runoff volume

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

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

26. Water users • agriculture • industry • hydroelectric plants • fish and wildlife • recreational and domestic

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

28. 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

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

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

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

32. Industry • strong pollution control methods to recycle water rather than draw from an outside source

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

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

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

36. Fish and Wildlife • land wildlife, inland birds, waterfowl • different species require different types of water

37. Fish and Wildlife • some fish prosper in cold mountain streams • some may prefer fast running rapids

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

39. Recreation • frozen water activities • ice skating, hockey, snowboarding and skiing

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

41. Domestic Uses • In the US each person uses approximately 150 gallons of water per day • bath - 3-40 gallons • shower - 5 gallons per minute

42. Domestic Uses • Wash clothes - 30 gallons • flush the toilet - 3 gallons • water the lawn and garden, wash cars • fire protection

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