Exercise 3

WATER ON EARTH
1. Objectives and expected learning outcomes
1.1. Objectives
This exercise aims to guide students through the basic structure, components, and
interactions of the hydrologic cycle as they relate to the use and conservation of water
resources.
1.2. Expected learning outcomes
Upon completion of this exercise students should be able to:
- Describe the distribution of Earth's water among the major water sources.
- Outline and reproduce components of the water cycle.
- Recognize the delicate balance between the individual elements of a large and complex
system.
- Identify the interactions among parts of a natural system.
- Predict ways in which human activities are most likely to affect water availability and
quality as it passes through the water cycle.
2. Content:
2.1. Please answer the following questions:

a. What are the three processes in the water cycle?

The water cycle consists of three major processes: evaporation, condensation, and
precipitation. Evaporation is the process of a liquid’s surface changing to a gas.
Condensation is the process of a gas changing to a liquid. In the water cycle, water vapor
in the atmosphere condenses and becomes liquid. As was the case with evaporation and
condensation, precipitation is also a process. Precipitation describes any liquid or solid
water that falls to Earth as a result of condensation in the atmosphere. Precipitation
includes rain, snow, and hail. 

b. Which process begins the hydrologic cycle?

The hydrologic 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. Water bodies
like the oceans, the seas, the lakes, and the river are the main source of evaporation.
Through evaporation, water moves from the hydrosphere to the atmosphere. As water
evaporates it reduces the temperature of the bodies
 b. How Do People Use Water?

We use large amounts of water each day, as water serves many different purposes. We
use water to drink, to do the dishes, to take a shower, to flush the toilet, to cook dinner,
and for many other purposes. But water is not only used for domestic purposes,
humans also use water in industries and agriculture. We use large amounts of water each
day, as water serves many different purposes. We use water to drink, to do the dishes, to
take a shower, to flush the toilet, to cook dinner, and for many other purposes. But water
is not only used for domestic purposes, humans also use water in industries and
agriculture.

2.2. Please do the following calculation and answer the questions

Please determine the amount of water that you use every week by using the form in table
1. Estimate the number of times you perform each of the tasks and multiply by the
number of gallons the activity uses. You may refer to the average water use for common
activities in table 2. Finally, add all the totals to determine how much water you use per
week.

Table 1. Individual water use

Activity Water use per time Number of times Total liters per
per week week
Bath or shower 17 14 250
Brushing teeth 0.5 14 7
Flushing toilet 4 5 20
Drinking tap water 0.25 5 1
Washing hands 0,07 70 49
Cooking 0.5 21 10,5
Hand-washing 2 14 28
dishes
Using dishwasher 2.5 7 17,5
Washing clothes 19 7 133
Washing car 0
Yard/garden water 40 3 120
Electricity*
 Evaporative cooler 2 3 5
Swimming pool 0
Total liter of water used per week

Table 2. Average of water use for common activities

Activity Estimated Water Usage (liter)
Washing face/hands (without water 4
running)
Shower (standard showerhead) 200
Shower (low-flow showerhead 90-120
Bath 150
Brushing teeth (water running) 5
Brushing teeth (water off) 1
Flushing toilet (standard flow) 12
Shaving 5
Glass of water 0.5
Cooking a meal 10
Hand-washing dishes 30
Dishwasher (pre-1999) 60
Dishwasher (newer) 15
Top-loading clothes washing machine 130
Front-loading clothes washing machine 40
Watering plants with a sprayer (for 1 1000
hour)
Watering plants by drip system (for 1 120
hour)
Washing motorbikes with nozzles 150
Washing motorbikes with buckets 50-60

- In Vietnam, the norm of domestic water volume for 1 person per month is
4m3/person/month. Please answer the following questions:

a. If your water usage is above average, what was the largest source of water usage at
your house? List three ways you could minimize the water usage of your largest water
usage activity.

-The largest source of water usage at my house is the water used to cook and the one that
each member used to take a bath.
-There are some ways to reduce water consumption. They are:
1. Installing a water-saving showerhead instead of using a bathtub. This will reduce the
waste of water that each needs to clean the body.

2. Checking faucets and pipes for leaks frequently. As even a small drip can waste
185 omore literssr of water a day. Especially, it usually happens in the kitchen
(cooking activities)

3. Use a dishwasher only when it is fully loaded to reduce both water usage and
electricity consumption.

b. What is the municipal water source for your area (groundwater or surface water)?

In my neighborhood, we use surface water for different purposes. As I live in Hanoi,

which is the capital city of Vietnam, we are supplied by surface water. We all live in a
watershed, which is an area that drains to a common waterway such as a stream, lake,
wetland, or ocean.

c. What is the average water usage per person in your town or region?

According to the statistics, the norm of domestic water volume for 1 person per month
is 4m3/person/month.

d. Based on the number of people living in your house, how many liters per week does
your family use?

We normally use about 16m per month as my house is quite large so the water
consumption for household activities is somehow above the average.