LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Water is one of the most precious gifts given by nature to the humanity. Life on the earth is
possible only because of water. Three-fourth surface of earth is covered by water. Water is the
most essential source of life on earth as we need water in every activity like drinking, cooking,
bathing, washing, agriculture etc.

The importance of water

Water is one of the most important substances on earth. All plants and animals must have water
to survive. If there was no water there would be no life on earth.

Water is needed in great amount for us to:

● Drink for survival and digest the food you eat
● Bathing
● Cooking
● Washing our clothes and things
● Clean vessels and home, and so on
Moreover, to get healthy fruits and vegetables, we need plenty of water for the plants, trees and
crops regularly.
Sources of water
Uses of Water
States of Water
We know that water isn't always "wet", sometimes it's frozen into ice or snow. Water can exist in
three states:
● Ice - Ice is the solid form of water.
● Liquid - This is the wet stuff we drink and swim around in.
● Vapor

Water Pollution
Water bodies e.g. lake, river, ocean and ground water get contaminated due to discharge of
pollutants in the water bodies without any treatment to remove harmful compounds.
Water pollution adversely affects not only aquatic plants and animals but it also affects human
beings and ecosystems.

Causes of Water Pollution

Water pollution is caused due to several reasons. Here are the few major causes of water
pollution:
● Sewage And Waste Water
● Dumping
● Industrial Waste
● Oil Pollution
● Acid Rain
● Global Warming
Effects of Water Pollution
● Death of aquatic (water) animals
● Disruption of food-chains
● Diseases
● Destruction of ecosystems

Prevention of Water Pollution

● Never throw garbage around or leave it behind at a lake or a beach. Always take it with
you.
● When done with a meal, separate the trash from your plate and any oily substances in
the garbage. Do not mix them in the kitchen sink.
● Do not use chemical pesticides such as weed killers or other fertilizers in your household
gardens. Talk to your parents to find better environment-friendly alternatives for them.
● Do not wash your family car in an open street. The soap and any petroleum chemicals
from the car can mix with the drain and reach the water bodies.
● Save pure water. Use it sparingly and avoid wasting it unnecessarily. Keep all faucets
and taps tightened and ensure there is no leakage of pure water anywhere.

 
Different ways to Save Water

● Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth

● Take a shorter shower
● Check faucets and pipes for leaks
● Don't leave the water running for rinsing
● Fix a dripping tap
● Don't let the faucet run while you clean vegetables