Water Systems Review Questions

Use these questions to help guide you when studying for your test.  

1. Where can solid water be found in the world?

• In polar regions: 

  • Antarctica 

  • The arctic 

• Places like: 

  • Glaciers 

  • Ice caps 

  • Snow-covered mountains
    

2.  Describe surface water and where it can be found.

• Surface water is water found above ground in places like: 

  • Lakes

  • Rivers

  • Ponds

  • wetlands

3a.  What is groundwater?  

Groundwater is water that soaks into the ground and fills the spaces between rocks and soil.

b.  Explain the importance of groundwater and maintaining the Earth’s aquifers.

• Groundwater is important because many people and animals use it for drinking water

• We must take care of aquifers so they don’t get polluted or dry out.
  

4.  In your own words, describe the water cycle.

• The water cycle is how water moves around Earth 

1. Water evaporates from the ground

2. It turns into clouds

3. It falls as rain or snow

4. It then flows back into rivers or sinks into the ground

5.  List and explain at least 3 reasons why there are differences in water consumption around the world.

1.  Weather 

   1. Hot places need more water

2.  Money 

   1. Richer countries use more water for things like showers and farming

3. Access

   1. Some places don’t have clean water nearby, so people use less water

6.  Describe the 6 steps in the water treatment process.

1. Intake

First step is to remove any large objects from the water, like sticks, leaves and garbage, using a metal screen that covers pipes

2. Addition of chemicals

The water enters a large tank where alum (a chemical) is added. Alum and water are mixed, and the alum turns into small and sticky lumps, which is called floc.

3. Sedimentation 

Water and floc enter a settling tank, where the floc settles to the bottom of the tank.

4. Filtration 

The clean water at the top moves through filters made of sand, gravel, and charcoal. These filters remove smaller bits like dirt and bacteria.

5. Disinfection 

A chemical like chlorine is added to kill any germs or harmful organisms still in the water.

6. Storage 

The clean, treated water is stored in large tanks or reservoirs until it is needed. Then it flows through pipes to homes, schools, and other buildings.

7.  Explain 2 alternate ways in which water can be treated so it is safe to drink.

1.  Boiling

•  Boiling water kills germs.

2.  Using a water  filter 

• Filters remove dirt and bacteria from water

8.  Explain the meaning of the word “watershed”.

A watershed is land where all the water drains into the same river, lake, or ocean.

9.  What is the role of a Conservation Authority?

A Conservation Authority helps protect the environment including:

• Rivers

•  Lakes 

• Forests

• wetlands

10.  How can bioremediation remove contaminants from the environment?

Bioremediation uses living things like bacteria to break down harmful chemicals in soil and water.

11.  How is global warming affecting the world’s freshwater supply?

 Global warming melts glaciers and causes more droughts, which means there is less clean water for people and animals.

12.  What is the connection between the water table and a well?

 A well goes below the water table, so water from the ground can fill the well and be pumped up for people to use.

13.  What is the difference between a spring and a well?

 A spring happens when groundwater naturally flows out of the ground. A well is a hole made by people to get water from underground.

14.  Give the advantages and disadvantages of both surface water and groundwater.

One good thing about groundwater is that it’s usually clean because rocks filter it. One bad thing is that it costs more money to get it than surface water.

15. Explain the water cycle and all the changes of state that occur in the process.

1. Evaporation: Water turns into gas (water vapor).

2. Condensation: Water vapor turns into liquid (clouds).

3. Precipitation: Water falls as rain, snow, etc

4. Collection/Runoff: Water goes into lakes or underground

5. Freezing/Melting: Water can freeze into ice or melt back into liquid.