Welcome to a future where water will be more valuable than oil or gold! LO: To know what we use water for. To understand the global impact if we run out of water. To identify ways we can conserve water for the future.

Water – the facts – what do you already know?

‘Hidden’ Water Water is our most precious resource. Water is vital to life. Humans, plants, and animals are made up of mostly water. All living things would die if it weren't for water. We use water for drinking, washing, cleaning, cooking, and growing our food as well as many, many other things. Much of the water we use is ‘hidden’. People don’t realise that we use lots of water to grow food, to make clothes, to power factories and home appliances. The average American uses around gallons of water daily. Even more water is used by industries to generate electricity, manufacture things, and transport people and goods.

What does a gallon look like? 4 gallon bottle

Hidden Water How many gallons of water does it take to make each of the products? Match the product to the amount within the time limit.

How much water do YOU use? Bath = 40 gallons 5-minute shower = 10 gallons 5-minute power shower = 20 gallons Brushing teeth with tap running = 2 gallons/min Brushing teeth with tap off =.25 gallon One toilet flush = 3 gallons Other water use (drinking, cooking, etc.) = 7 gallons (per household) Washing machine= 25 gallons a load Dishwasher = 10 gallons Washing car with bucket = 3 gallons Hose/sprinkler = 140 gallons/hour

Why are we running out of water? Quite simply, we are consuming too much. Our demand for water increases yearly, to the extent that no matter what the water companies do, eventually they will not be able to keep up. Water also requires huge amounts of energy, both to treat it and pump it to our houses, so our thirst for water is damaging our planet in more ways than one.

We've had the same amount of water on our planet since the beginning of time. Even though 70 percent of the globe is covered in water, less than 1 percent is accessible to us. But now there is 6.7 billion people using that water. We're on track to be up to 8 billion people in 15 years. With our current population, there is already water stress.

Supplies are running low! Supplies are also running out! One supply-side threat arises from instances in which we are withdrawing freshwater from surface water sources and groundwater aquifers at rates faster than replenishment or recharge. Another supply-side problem is that even if there is enough water, it is not water that is good enough to meet human needs; much of the world's fresh water is being degraded by pollution and chemicals. People put pesticides on their lawns and farms then water them. These pesticides and chemicals then run back into the water source and pollute it.

What will the consequences be?

What can YOU do? Bath = 40 gallons 5-minute shower = 10 gallons 5-minute power shower = 20 gallons Brushing teeth with tap running = 2 gallons/min Brushing teeth with tap off =.25 gallon One toilet flush = 3 gallons Other water use (drinking, cooking, etc.) = 7 gallons (per househol Washing machine = 25 gallons a load Dishwasher = 10 gallons Washing car with bucket = 3 gallons Hose/sprinkler = 140 gallons/hour

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