Water Quality and Concerns AG 101

Importance Water is a very important natural resource Production ag relies on water for irrigation Water shortages are common in many places Potable water-drinkable water Potable water is especially valuable

Importance Water quality and availability depend on water management practices All uses of water should have effective management practices We can no longer take clean water for granted Water usage is exceeding the rate of replacement

Water Distribution Least expensive form of distribution is precipitation Hydrologic cycle- movement of water through four separate processes: precipitation, evaporation, transpiration, and solar energy Groundwater provides 60 percent of the total water supply to Texas

Pollution Many polluted waters are a direct result of air pollution Pollution can be controlled We must do our part to reduce pollution Improper animal waste management is a cause of pollution

Drought Defined as an extended period without moisture Economic impact is definite and long term Wind erosion usually occurs more during drought periods Land becomes much less productive during drought periods

Climate Climate is the average course of the weather during a period of years Weather is the conditions outside right now Climate sets limits for agricultural production Moisture and water are crucial elements to the climate

Summary Water quality is a very important issue for everyone to consider This issue is of extreme importance to people in agriculture We need to all do our parts so that people in the future can have clean water and a large supply of it