Central Question: How can we meet human needs for freshwater, while avoiding or reducing environmental impact?

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Answer the following questions for each chapter section and then answer the Central Question.

6.1–6.2 Science

  • How does the hydrologic cycle move water around Earth?

  • What effect does the El Niño Southern Oscillation have on the hydrologic cycle?

6.3–6.6 Issues

  • How much water do humans require to live and should that be considered a basic human right?

  • How do humans use water and what are factors that affect water’s availability?

  • What is the current state of groundwater and what affects its availability?

  • How does managing water affect aquatic biodiversity?

6.7–6.10 Solutions

  • What are some water conservation approaches and how do they affect water availability?

  • Where have water reclamation projects been implemented and what effect are they having?

  • How does desalination work and what are some prominent desalination projects?

  • What are some of the key ways in which water conservation can protect aquatic ecosystems?

Answer the Central Question:

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Water Resources and You

Water is essential to our survival and well-being—it literally flows through our individual lives on a daily basis. As a result, we all have abundant opportunities to contribute to solving the many water-related issues we face.

□Learn about water supply, consumption, and issues in your community.

Learn about your community water supply in detail. What is the source of water in your community? Is it mainly groundwater, surface water, or a fairly even mix of the two? How does water consumption in your community compare with other communities in your region and elsewhere across the country and world? What are the major water supply issues in your community? What are the major water supply issues in your region? If possible, tour the water treatment facilities in your community to learn about where the water you use goes and how it is treated.

□Actively support water conservation programs in your community.

As you inform yourself regarding water supply and infrastructure, you will build a foundation for becoming involved in local and regional water issues. As opportunities arise, you may lend your voice to initiatives designed to save water, such as water recycling, upgrading and maintenance of the community water distribution system, or planting of drought-resistant landscaping plants in public spaces. If no such water-saving initiatives now exist and you see a need for them, you might consider suggesting one or more through local media or by writing to the mayor or city council in your community.

□Commit yourself to water conservation in your daily life.

Consider how you might conserve water in your everyday life. As a student, you may be able to find opportunities to encourage the installation of low-flow toilets or showerheads on campus, if your campus has not already done so. Wherever you live (e.g., in a dormitory, apartment, or house), you can report or fix leaky faucets or bathroom fixtures. The average time spent in the shower in the United States is 8 minutes, which expends 68 liters (18 gallons) of water when using a standard 8.3 liters (2.2 gallons) per minute showerhead. Use a timer on your smartphone or shower timer to limit the time you shower to 5 minutes—this can save over 25 liters (6.6 gallons) of water every time you shower!

□Become involved in river or wetland restoration.

Explore potential restoration opportunities with federal, state, or local agencies or with nongovernmental conservation organizations in your area. Your active participation in restoration as a volunteer will help reduce impacts on aquatic biodiversity as we supply water for human populations. It will also be an opportunity to explore key aspects of aquatic biodiversity firsthand.