2. WHAT KIND OF ACCESS TO WATER
DO WE HAVE?
• These days, we have a lot of access to clean, drinkable water.
• We can get it from anywhere, including faucets, bottles– even oftentimes
rivers.
• We can have access to clean water simply just by turning on a tab.
• That is exactly why we are good at wasting fresh, drinkable water. We don’t
realize the importance of it, because we have so much access to it.
3. THE ISSUE
• People often assume that clean water will always be available, no matter
where they are
• Waterborne diseases– children in developing countries die at a very young
age because they hardly have any access to clean water
• Passing the test – 20% of water in the United States fails the clean water
quality test
• Wasting water– depletes the water resources we need to protect in order to
assure this and future generations have enough for their needs
• Bodies of clean water often get polluted
4. FACTORS THAT CAUSE THIS
• Deforestation
• Clearing land for agriculture and urban growth often leads to water
pollution. When soil is stripped of its protective vegetation it becomes prone
to soil erosion. This leads to an increase in the murkiness of the water which
can cause the following:
• it can block the gills of fish;
• bottom dwelling plants cannot photosynthesize as the sun’s rays cannot
reach them; and
• there is an increase in disease as bacteria and viruses use the soil particles as
a method of transportation.
5. • Damming of Rivers
• Damming of rivers can have an impact on water in the following ways:
• Water flowing out of dams:
• has reduced suspended material as a large amount settles to the bottom of dams;
• is depleted of nutrients; and
• is often more saline
• with detrimental effects on downstream agriculture and fisheries.
• Enhanced eutrophication may result due to the water spending a longer
time in the dam.
• There is also increased evaporation in dams, especially those with a large
surface area, such as the Vaal Dam.
6. Industries
Industries produce waste that can affect the:
pH of water (whether it is acid, neutral or alkaline);
colour of water;
amount of nutrients (increase in nutrients can cause eutrophication);
temperature (increase or decrease in temperature can have an impact on
temperature sensitive organisms living in the water);
• amount minerals and salts (too much can cause health problems);
• murkiness of water (can block fish gills; bottom dwelling plants cannot
photosynthesize as the sun’s rays cannot reach them; increase in disease as
bacteria and viruses use the soil particles as a method of transportation).
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7. •
• Mining:
• Mines produce waste that:
• can increase the amount of minerals and salts in the water (too much can
cause health problems);
• can affect the pH of the water (whether it is acid, neutral or alkaline);
• can increase the murkiness of the water.
8. • Agriculture
• Increases soil erosion due to the physical disturbance of soil and vegetation
due to ploughing, overgrazing, logging and road building. This effects the
murkiness and the amount of salts and minerals in water;
• Increases nutrients due to fertilisers and excreta, which contribute worrying
amounts of nitrates and phosphates to water supplies (this can cause
eutrophication);
• Increased pesticide use.
9. • Source of info:
http://www.waterwise.co.za/site/water/environment/causes-of-waterpollution.html
10. WHAT ACTIONS CAN WE, AS A COMMUNITY,
TAKE IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE ISSUES AND SAVE
UP OUR CLEAN WATER?
• One thing that we can do is avoid single-use bottled water. Always carry a
reusable bottle with you. That way, you won’t waste so much clean and
drinkable water.
• Also, plastic bottles also require a lot of water to be made. That’s a huge
waist.
• Always remain educated about this topic and keep up with the news about
water.
• Do not pollute.
11. TAKING THE ACTION
• We use water for pretty much everything. Cooking, showering, replacing
electrolytes in our body when doing an exercise, fulfil our body’s needs for
fluids, et cetera…
• Without fresh, clean water, humans suffer from disease and malnutrition.
• Today, every water-resource is at risk of contaminants that seep into our
ground water or pour from storm drains or pipes into rivers and waterways.
• We take water for granted.
12. • We must be aware of the fact that if we continue taking fresh drinkable
water for granted like this, we eventually will not have it. What we can do is
inform people all over the world of the importance of fresh water. We must
list the reasons for why it plays such a huge role in our lives. We must cherish
it. We must convince them to not waste water by using other bottles than
plastic, and not pollute water that is fresh.
