Water is a vital body fluid which regulates life-
processes such as, digestion of food, transportation of
nutrients and excretion of body wastes. It is also required for the germination of seeds. Water is an important reactant in photosynthesis. Water provides habitat to many animals and plants. All animals and plants living in water are adapted to live in water. About 97.4% of the total water on the earth is in oceans and seas. The water in oceans and seas is salty and cannot be used. Most of the earth’s fresh water is frozen in glaciers and ice-caps. Only about 0.01% of the total earth’s water is available for our use. The water cycle refers to the continuous exchange of water within the hydrosphere, between the atmosphere, soil water, surface water, ground water, and plants. Water moves perpetually through each of these regions in the water cycle consisting of the following transfer processes: Evaporation from oceans and other water bodies into the air and trans transpiration from land plants and animals into air. Precipitation, from water vapor condensing from the air and falling to earth or ocean runoff from the land usually reaching the sea. Most water vapor over the oceans returns to the oceans, but winds carry water vapor over land at the same rate as runoff into the sea, about 36 Tt per year. Over land, evaporation and transpiration contribute another 71 Tt per year. Precipitation, at a rate of 107 Tt per year over land, has several forms: most commonly rain, snow, and hail, with some contribution from fog and dew. Condensed water in the air may also refract sunlight to produce rainbows. Water has played a role not only in the history of countries, but in religion, mythology, and art. Water in many religions cleanses the soul through holy water. For example, the water at Lourdes, France is thought by many religions to be sacred water with healing powers. In Egyptian mythology, the Nu was the beginning of everything and represented water. It brought life to their people, but in drought, produced chaos. The water or hydrologic cycle explains interactions between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. The water or hydrologic cycle is a major driving force on our planet. Water is in constant motion, evaporating into the atmosphere from oceans, lakes, rivers and streams. When the atmosphere can no longer support the moisture within the clouds, we experience rain, snow, hail, or sleet. Some water is locked in the form of ice at the polar caps and in glaciers. Water melts in the spring, producing runoff, that percolates through the Earth as groundwater (subsurface) or makes its way back to the sea (surface). The oceans contain most of the water, but it is salt water which is unusable by most organisms. Only pure H2O (water) can interact with organisms. Water resources are sources of water that are useful or potentially useful to humans. Uses of water include agricultural, industrial, household, recreational and environmental activities. Virtually all of these human uses require fresh water. 97% of water on the Earth is salt water, and only 3% is fresh water of which slightly over two thirds is frozen in glaciers and polar ice caps.[1] The remaining unfrozen freshwater is mainly found as groundwater, with only a small fraction present above ground or in the air.[2] Water conservation is very important. With the entire globe going green lately, it is very important to know what you can do to help conserve water in your home. 1. The first thing to do is to check your home for any water leaks. 2. Do not flush unless you need to. 3. Using plastic bottles in your toilet tank can help you to save two to three gallons each flush. 4. You should also consider shortening your shower time. 5. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth. Rainwater harvesting is the accumulating and storing, of rainwater. It has been used to provide drinking water, water for livestock, water for irrigation or to refill aquifers in a process calledgroundwater recharge. Rainwater collected from the roofs of houses, tents and local institutions, can make an important contribution to the availability of drinking water. Water collected from the ground, sometimes from areas which are especially prepared for this purpose, is called Stormwater harvesting. In some cases, rainwater may be the only available, or economical, water source. Rainwater harvesting systems can be simple to construct from inexpensive local materials, and are potentially successful in most habitable locations. Roof rainwater can be of good quality and may not require treatment before consumption. Although some rooftop materials may produce rainwater that is harmful to human health, it can be useful in flushing toilets, washing clothes, watering the garden and washing cars; these uses alone halve the amount of water used by a typical home. THE END...