Chapter 6.1 Freshwater
Freshwater is a limited, essential resource.
Water distribution on Earth is uneven.
Consumption of water is unequal.
Wise water use is crucial for sustainability.
The Colorado River supplies water to over 36 million people and other living organisms.
Water rights related to the Colorado River have been a source of contention.
The river no longer reaches the Gulf of California in most years.
Only 2.5% of water on Earth is freshwater, with limited accessibility to humans.
Groundwater and surface water are key sources of freshwater.
Water moves through the environment via the water cycle, involving evaporation, transpiration, and precipitation.
Evapotranspiration is the combination of evaporation and transpiration.
Surface waters provide freshwater to human communities, but over-extraction can lead to shortages.
Groundwater supplies can shrink due to over-withdrawal and saltwater intrusion.
Agriculture is the largest user of water, followed by industrial and domestic sectors.
Water scarcity can be physical or economic, affecting billions of people globally.
Goal 6 of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals aims to ensure access to water and sanitation for all by 2030.
Targets include access to safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, pollution reduction, and sustainable freshwater withdrawals.
The United States has a reliable purification and delivery system for tap water under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Despite the Act, thousands of violations occur annually, highlighting the need for infrastructure upgrades.
Residents noticed discolored water
New county admins switched water source without safety considerations
Water contained lead, a neurotoxin
Over 100,000 people exposed to high lead for over 2 years
Many affected individuals were children
Decontamination using advanced filtration and chemicals
Mimic wetlands' natural water purification process
Arcata, California sewage treatment resembles a natural ecosystem
Land converted into wetlands for water purification
Dams block water flow in rivers or streams
Reservoirs store freshwater for various uses
e.g., Hoover Dam and Lake Mead on the Colorado River
Removal of salt and minerals from seawater
Expensive process with extra cleansing steps
Conservation includes water-saving technologies and behavioral changes
Average U.S. citizen uses 140 gallons of water per day
Industry water use adds up to 4,200 liters per person daily
U.S. household water use breakdown
Gallons of water needed per pound of food and per product
Water-saving technologies and actions for reducing water usage
Freshwater is a precious but limited resource
Uneven distribution of freshwater globally can lead to conflicts
Methods like dams, reservoirs, and desalination increase freshwater availability
Newer methods like water recovery and purification are promising
Best way to
Freshwater is a limited, essential resource.
Water distribution on Earth is uneven.
Consumption of water is unequal.
Wise water use is crucial for sustainability.
The Colorado River supplies water to over 36 million people and other living organisms.
Water rights related to the Colorado River have been a source of contention.
The river no longer reaches the Gulf of California in most years.
Only 2.5% of water on Earth is freshwater, with limited accessibility to humans.
Groundwater and surface water are key sources of freshwater.
Water moves through the environment via the water cycle, involving evaporation, transpiration, and precipitation.
Evapotranspiration is the combination of evaporation and transpiration.
Surface waters provide freshwater to human communities, but over-extraction can lead to shortages.
Groundwater supplies can shrink due to over-withdrawal and saltwater intrusion.
Agriculture is the largest user of water, followed by industrial and domestic sectors.
Water scarcity can be physical or economic, affecting billions of people globally.
Goal 6 of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals aims to ensure access to water and sanitation for all by 2030.
Targets include access to safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, pollution reduction, and sustainable freshwater withdrawals.
The United States has a reliable purification and delivery system for tap water under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Despite the Act, thousands of violations occur annually, highlighting the need for infrastructure upgrades.
Residents noticed discolored water
New county admins switched water source without safety considerations
Water contained lead, a neurotoxin
Over 100,000 people exposed to high lead for over 2 years
Many affected individuals were children
Decontamination using advanced filtration and chemicals
Mimic wetlands' natural water purification process
Arcata, California sewage treatment resembles a natural ecosystem
Land converted into wetlands for water purification
Dams block water flow in rivers or streams
Reservoirs store freshwater for various uses
e.g., Hoover Dam and Lake Mead on the Colorado River
Removal of salt and minerals from seawater
Expensive process with extra cleansing steps
Conservation includes water-saving technologies and behavioral changes
Average U.S. citizen uses 140 gallons of water per day
Industry water use adds up to 4,200 liters per person daily
U.S. household water use breakdown
Gallons of water needed per pound of food and per product
Water-saving technologies and actions for reducing water usage
Freshwater is a precious but limited resource
Uneven distribution of freshwater globally can lead to conflicts
Methods like dams, reservoirs, and desalination increase freshwater availability
Newer methods like water recovery and purification are promising
Best way to