WATER MANAGEMENT

the activity of planning, developing, distributing and optimum use of water resources under defined water
policies and regulations
includes: management of water treatment of drinking water, industrial water, sewage or wastewater
management of water resources
Hydrologic Cycle
sequence of conditions through which water passes or circulates on and below the earths surface and the
atmosphere
commonly known as the water cycle
begins with the evaporation of water from the surface of the ocean. As moist air is lifted, it cools and water
vapor condenses to form clouds. Moisture is transported around the globe until it returns to the surface as
precipitation.
once the water reaches the ground, one of two processes may occur;
some of the water may evaporate back into the atmosphere or
the water may penetrate the surface and become groundwater
groundwater either seeps its way to into the oceans, rivers, and streams, or is released back into the
atmosphere through transpiration
the balance of water that remains on the earth's surface is runoff, which empties into lakes, rivers and streams
and is carried back to the oceans, where the cycle begins again

Human Influences the Hydrologic Cycle

we interrupt water flows in two major ways: Withdrawals & Discharges
Withdrawals
we take water out of the system to irrigate crops, to provide us with drinking water and to carry
out many of our industrial processes
Discharges
we add substances to the water intentionally or not
as precipitation falls on the ground and moves into rivers and creeks, it picks up a whole range
of pollutants
 Deforestation
the removal of trees has local effects, as well as regional effects on the hydrological cycle and to
climate change
Urbanization
urbanization effects are dependent on increased population, increased city density, and
increased paved areas
increased demand for water causes larger rates of extraction of groundwater and from
reservoirs
Irrigation
a method used to water farm land
unfortunately it removes water from rivers and can cause surface run-off and leaching
Groundwater Mining
the withdrawal or removal of groundwater in excess of the natural recharge rate (or the
replenishment rate, from infiltration and underground inflow)
Impoundments of Reservoirs
greatly reduces and discharge of a river as storage is increased
leads to increased evaporation and therefore can alter rainfall patterns
Combustion of Fossil Fuel
the combustion of fossil fuels into the atmosphere causes water to be released along with
carbon dioxide; water and CO2 are also removed from the atmosphere as inorganic bicarbonate
and carbonate ions in the ocean

Major human processes affecting the water cycle on land. R = storage of water in reservoirs; G =
Groundwater mining; I = Irrigation; U = Urbanization; C = Combustion; D = Deforestation; W =
Wetlands.

Kinds of Water Use

Agricultural
it is estimated that 69% of worldwide water use is for irrigation
in some areas of the world irrigation is necessary to grow any crop at all, in other areas it permits more
profitable crops to be grown or enhances crop yield
Industrial
it is estimate that 15% of worldwide water use is industrial
major industrial users include power plants, which use water for cooling or as a power sources (i.e.
hydroelectric plants), ore and oil refineries, which use water in chemical processes, and manufacturing
plants, which us water as a solvent
 Household
it is estimates that 15% of worldwide water uses is for household purposes
these include it drinking water, bathing, cooking sanitation, and gardening
Recreation
recreation water is usually a very small but growing percentage of total water use
recreation water use is mostly tied to reservoirs
recreational users may reduce the availability of water for other users at specific times and places
Environmental
explicit environmental water use is also a very small but growing percentage of total water use
environmental water usage includes artificial wetlands, artificial lakes intended to create wildlife
habitat, fish ladders around dams, and water releases from reservoirs timed to help fish spawn
Water Pollution
the contamination of water bodies (e.g. lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers and groundwater)
this form of environmental degradation occurs when pollutants are directly or indirectly discharged into water
bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful compounds
Kinds of Water Pollution
Surface Water Pollution
Surface water includes natural water found on the earth's surface, like rivers, lakes, lagoons and oceans.
Hazardous substances coming into contact with this surface water, dissolving or mixing physically with
the water can be called surface water pollution.
Groundwater
When humans apply pesticides and chemicals to soils, they are washed deep into the ground by
rainwater. This gets to underground water, causing pollution underground.
Microbiological
In many communities in the world, people drink untreated water (straight from a river or stream).
Sometimes there is natural pollution caused by microorganisms like viruses, bacteria and protozoa. This
natural pollution can cause fishes and other water life to die. They can also cause serious illness to
humans who drink from such waters.
Suspended Matter
Some pollutants do not dissolve in water as their molecules are too big to mix between the
water molecules. This material is called particulate matter and can often be a cause of water pollution.
Chemical
Many industries and farmers work with chemicals that end up in water. This is common with Point-
source Pollution. These include chemicals that are used to control weeds, insects and pests.
Oxygen Depleting
Microorganisms that live in water feed on biodegradable substances. When too much biodegradable
material is added to water, the number of microorganisms increase and use up the available oxygen.
This is called oxygen depletion.
Nutrients
Nutrients are essential for plant growth and development. Many nutrients are found in wastewater and
fertilisers, and these can cause excess weed and algae growth if large concentrations end up in water.
Oil Spillage
Oil spills usually have only a localized effect on wildlife but can spread for miles. The oil can cause the
death to many fish and get stuck to the feathers of seabirds causing them to lose their ability to fly.
 Source of Water Pollution
Direct sources
include effluent outfalls from factories, refineries, waste treatment plants etc. that emit fluids of varying
quality directly into urban water supplies
in the united states and other countries, these practices are regulated, although this doesn't mean that
pollutants can't be found in these waters
Indirect sources
include contaminants that enter the water supply from soils/groundwater systems and from the
atmosphere via rain water
soils and groundwater contain the residue of human agricultural practices (fertilizers, pesticides, etc..)
and improperly disposed of industrial wastes
atmospheric contaminants are also derived from human practices (such as gaseous emissions from
automobiles, factories and even bakeries)
Water Planning Issues
Intense urbanization, increasing the demand for water, expanding the discharge of contaminated water
resources, while there is tremendous demand for water for drinking and economic and social development
(Tucci, 2008).
Water stress and scarcity in many regions of the planet due to alterations in availability and increased demand.
Poor infrastructure or infrastructure in a critical state in many urban areas, with losses in the network of up to
30% after treatment.
Problems of stress and scarcity due to global changes with extreme hydrological events increasing the human
population's vulnerability and compromising food security (intense rains and intense periods of drought).
Problems caused by the lack of articulation and lack of consistent actions of governability of water resources and
for environmental sustainability.