We obtain water from natural environments like rivers, lakes, rain, and underground sources, which is then often treated to make it safe for us to drink.
Water is absolutely essential for life, covering about 71% of our planet's surface. Understanding where this vital resource comes from and how it gets to us is important.
Sources of Water
Water comes from various natural sources:
- Rain: Precipitation is a primary way water is replenished on land.
- Rivers and Lakes: Surface water bodies collect rain and melted snow.
- Groundwater: Water that seeps into the ground collects in underground layers called aquifers. We access this water using wells.
- Oceans: While the largest source, ocean water is salty and requires significant processing (desalination) to be drinkable.
These sources are part of the Earth's continuous water cycle, where water evaporates, forms clouds, and falls back to Earth as rain or snow.
From Source to Use
Water collected from these natural sources isn't always immediately ready for our use, especially for drinking. It might contain dirt, leaves, tiny organisms, or pollutants.
Drinking Water Safely
Once we get water, its main purpose for humans is often drinking. We can drink it directly if it is clean and safe. Clean water looks clear, has no strange smell, and is free from harmful germs.
However, water from natural sources like rivers, lakes, or even some wells can sometimes contain germs or dirt that make it unsafe to drink without treatment. This is why processing and treatment are often needed.
What If Water Isn't Clean?
If the water is not clean then we need to boil it. Boiling is a simple and effective way to kill harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites that might be in the water. Heating water to a rolling boil for at least one minute makes it much safer to drink.
Other methods to make water safe include filtering and chemical treatment (like adding small amounts of chlorine).
| Water Condition | Action to Drink Safely |
|---|---|
| Clean | Can drink directly |
| Not Clean | Need to boil, filter, or treat chemically |
Delivering Water
In cities and towns, water from sources like rivers or reservoirs is often sent to a water treatment plant. Here, it goes through processes like filtering and disinfection to remove impurities and germs. After treatment, the clean water is pumped through a network of pipes to homes, schools, and businesses, ready for us to use for drinking, cooking, washing, and other purposes.
Conclusion
Getting water involves collecting it from natural sources and, importantly, ensuring it is clean and safe for use. For drinking, clean water can be consumed directly, but if water is not clean, simple steps like boiling are necessary to make it safe.
