Humans collect freshwater from various natural sources through different methods to meet diverse needs like drinking, agriculture, and industry. A significant portion of freshwater used for drinking, for instance, comes from surface water sources.
Main Freshwater Sources
The freshwater available for human use originates from several key natural reservoirs:
- Rivers and Streams: Flowing bodies of water are a primary source. As noted in a relevant reference, today, two-thirds of American drinking water comes from rivers and streams.
- Lakes: Large, standing bodies of freshwater also serve as crucial sources.
- Groundwater: Water stored beneath the Earth's surface in aquifers is accessed via wells. This is a major source globally.
- Rainwater: Collected directly from precipitation, often through systems installed on buildings (Rainwater Harvesting).
- Glaciers and Ice Caps: While vast reservoirs, direct collection is limited and often involves utilizing meltwater.
The Collection Process
The method of collection depends heavily on the source:
- Surface Water (Rivers, Streams, Lakes): Water is typically diverted or pumped from these sources at specific intake points. For drinking water purposes, as described in the provided reference regarding rivers and streams, the water then follows a critical path:
- Collection from the source.
- Transport to a specialized plant.
- Undergoes rigorous treatment, testing, and purification processes to ensure it is safe and clean enough for consumption.
- Finally, it travels though underground pipes to reach homes, schools, and businesses.
- Groundwater: Collected by drilling wells into aquifers and pumping the water to the surface.
- Rainwater: Collected using gutters, pipes, and storage tanks as rain falls on roofs or other surfaces.
Ensuring Water Quality
Regardless of the source, ensuring the water is safe and suitable for its intended use is paramount. For drinking water, this involves extensive treatment processes like filtration, disinfection (using chlorine or UV light), and testing, as highlighted by the reference regarding water from rivers and streams going through a treatment plant.
In summary, humans utilize a range of techniques to collect freshwater from diverse sources, with surface water and groundwater being the most significant globally, often requiring advanced treatment before use, particularly for drinking.
