Freshwater Resources Chapter 12

Lesson 1 Main Ideas Fresh water supports life Most human activities require water Dams and other structures alter rivers

Why is water so important to humans? Human body is mostly water (blood, skin, etc) No one can live without water more than a few days People use water to grow food Water is used for transportation of people and goods

U S cities near water Portland, Oregon Omaha, Nebraska Cleveland, Ohio Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania St Louis, Missouri New Orleans, Louisiana San Francisco, California

Activities require water Shower, brush teeth, clean dishes and clothes, cook, fill pools, grow crops, making paper, generates electricity, mining, etc... Farming, Industry, Transportation, Recreation, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Energy

Farming 40% of the water that is used goes to growing crops and raising livestock (eating) Farmers near dry areas must irrigate water- draw water from aquifers, rivers, or lakes Over half US farms use flood irrigation instead of spray irrigation

Industry Factories use water to make cars, notebooks, jeans, shoes, skateboards, and televisions- almost all products Water used in factories can be used again or cleaned and returned to lakes or rivers

Transportation & Recreation Trading goods or visiting areas Rafting, canoeing, kayaking, camping, picnicking, swimming, fishing, etc... Canals sometimes are built as a bypass or to connect waterways

Aquaculture Fresh water is full of life! Tiny one celled organisms, shrimp, worms, fish, etc… Food is provided to humans and to other animals like frogs, insects, birds, etc… Fish farming is very popular for catfish, trout, salmon-only problem is excess nutrients flowing into rivers Fish hatcheries help threatened species survive

Energy Force of water powers machines Water generates electricity Water is used to cool nuclear power plants

Altering Rivers Landscape changes when dams are built Ecosystems are changed when dams are built Canals are used to connect rivers Dams can cause flooding

Lesson 2 Main Ideas Treatment makes water safe for drinking Waste water is treated and released Water pollution comes from many sources Water pollution can be prevented

Drinking Water From wells or reservoirs Stored in tanks Flows through pipes to buildings May contain impurities or organisms that cause disease

Water Quality Environment Protection Agency (EPA) sets standards for safe clean drinking water Towns also have laws for safe water-Prattville Water Works constantly tests our water to make sure it is clean and safe If water is contaminated, it must be treated before used

Water Contaminates Chlorine and fluoride Copper, Lead and other metals Cyanide and Mercury Etc…

Treatment Water is piped into plant from lake or river Disinfecting can clumping occurs to collect dirt and bacteria Clarifying is next to make it clear Tiny particles are filtered by flowing through coal, sand and gravel Chlorine is added to kill bacteria then it is stored

Waste Water Waste water is treated with sewage or septic tanks Each city/town has a sewage system to carry waste water from building to the treatment plant

Sewage To begin with it is strained and sits to allow sludge to sink to bottom then removed Chlorine is added to kill about half bacteria Oxygen is pumped in and grease skimmed off the top Chemicals clean water and pump it back out

Septic Systems Used by a home or business (not town) Sludge settles to bottom of tank and is consumed by bacteria. Some sludge has to be removed from tank every few years Water exits tank and spreads and sinks into the ground

Water pollution Humans make fresh water contaminated too. Homes-household chemicals and pesticides Cities-Toxic chemicals, Motor oil Sewage-dumping raw waste Farms-animal waste and fertilizers/pesticides Shipping-oil spills

Prevention When water is polluted, there is less fresh water to use. Polluted water can endanger our health. Pass laws to limit dumping, recycle and reuse, stop leaks, decrease pavement, inspect vehicles Fence animals on farms, organic foods, proper disposal of all hazardous waste

Lesson 3 Main Ideas Water shortages are a global problem. Overuse can cause water shortages. Fresh water can be conserved. People can balance water needs and uses.

Global water Many nations have severe fresh water shortages. Water supply is dwindling all over the world due to population growth (feeding) Aquifers are being emptied faster than they are refilling

Overuse Agriculture uses most of the water around the world but only half the water used on plants reaches the roots-other evaporates or runs off Seven states use water from the Colorado river. About half a billion people in 31 countries currently face water shortages. 3 states and Mexico share Rio Grande water Aquifers are emptying and river levels are decreasing-both take years to refill

Conserve It’s not hopeless! Three ways to conserve: 1) repair leaks 2) reuse water 3) recycle water Farmers conserve using drip irrigation, factories reuse water, modern plumbing in homes, shorter showers, turn off water, etc

Balance People need to balance needs and uses. Debates in our town, state, country on what is a need – pools, lawns, hydration, grow food, make products, etc…

Some Solutions World Food Program -International organization that provides food to countries experiencing drought. United Nations has food aid. States and countries make agreements about shared rivers and lakes and pollution levels Possible solution for future: pipeline for fresh water from Alaska to travel to California

New Solution Desalination-process of removing salt from the ocean Dry regions like Israel. Coastal areas like California and Florida. This process is difficult and expensive Icebergs-obtain fresh water from iceberg but the thawing and transportation is costly

U.S. Water Uses Americans use an average of 168 liters per person each day! 29% toilet flushes, 21% washing clothes, 21% showers, 12% faucet drain, 9% bath tub, 3% washing dishes, 5% water leaks

Conclusion Fresh water is a valuable natural resource that needs to be protected and not taken for granted!