1. 2.4.1a Water Uses and Consequences
Explain various water uses by humans and evaluate for benefits and consequences

2. Agriculture
Water is used to produce food and fiber for processing and consumption
Sugar cane grower
Cattle rancher
Fish farmer
Wheat farmer
Dairy farmer
Info goes with Project WET: Water Works activity

3. Logging Water is used to grow and harvest trees Forest manager
Logging company

4. Mining
Water is used in the extraction process of raw materials (coal, iron, gold, copper, sand, and gravel)
Miner
Sand and gravel company

5. Transportation/shipping
Water (rivers, seas, oceans) is used to transport raw materials and finished products to points of distribution (ports)
Slurry pipeline owner
Ship’s crew

6. Business/Industry
Water is used in the processing and manufacture of goods (cars, food, medical supplies, etc)
Steel producer
Textile manufacturer
Soft drink company
Paper mill
Chemical manufacturer

7. Wildlife Water provides habitat for countless plant and animal species
Mammals
Fish
Insects
Vegetation

8. Recreation People relax in and around water for exercise and enjoyment
Cruise ship
Fishing
Water theme park
Scuba diver
Winter sports

9. Power Generation Water is used to generate electricity
Hydropower plant
Nuclear power plant
Coal-fired plant

10. Community
Water is used by community members for domestic, maintenance, and recreational purposes.
Domestic uses
Fire department
Street cleaner
Restaurant owner
Park
The average American home uses 350 gallons/day
Estimate your daily water use

11. Water use within your house
Global Water Crisis

12. Water use in the U.S.

13. Where does our water come from?
Surface water
Rivers
Lakes

14. Consequences of Surface Water Extraction
+ Requires very little construction
- Reduction of river flow
~The Rio Grande river ran dry in 2001 due to drought and human extraction

15. Consequences of Dams
+ Create manmade lakes/reservoirs + Hydroelectric + Help with flood control - Human displacement - Environmental damage
Falls Lake Dam

16. Dam damaged from Hurricane Matthew

17. Where does our water come from?
Groundwater
Wells
A pipe is sunk into the aquifer below the water table
Water is pumped to the surface
NC wells vary from 20ft to more than 1,000 ft deep
90% of residences in the Coastal Plain rely on groundwater from wells

18. Issues with Groundwater
Aquifer: a body of permeable rock that can contain groundwater
Aquifer depletion
Removal by humans of more groundwater than can be recharged by precipitation or melting snow

19. Consequences of Aquifer Depletion
Subsidence
Depression of the land surface as a result of groundwater being pumped out; can also be caused by other disturbances

20. Salt-water intrusion
Near the coast, over-pumping of groundwater causes saltwater to move into the aquifer