Water is one of the single-most important components of our bodies and the world we live in. It takes up such a vast area of earth and is vitally important to live. However, sadly, so many of us don't quite know how we even get our water. We turn on our tap and out it pours. This three part series will cover just how we get our water and why it's so important to keep water clean and safe at all levels of the hydrologic system and on its journey through our communities.
The first area we'll look at is our hydrologic cycle and the importance of water quality at this beginning level.
The first area we'll look at is our hydrologic cycle and the importance of water quality at this beginning level.
Hydrological Cycle
Before water ever gets to our wells or city treatment plants, it begins in a more natural state, traveling through our earth in a natural hydrologic cycle. The image above is a great depiction of how the cycle of water works. The cycle begins as with precipitation (in the form of snow and rain) falling to the earth. The water travels in the way of streams, rivers and creeks into larger bodies of water and into the ground water deposits. Water then seeps into the earth and travels through the layers of rock prior to pooling in the aquifers and ground water deposits. While it travels through the rock and bedrock, the water is purified naturally. The snow melts and travels the same way as water does. The water can also travel in the form of surface run-off into larger areas of water such as lakes and oceans. Water traveling as surface runoff also makes its way to the ground water eventually. The water sitting on top of the earth's surface then evaporates, turning into water vapor and the cycle starts all over again.
Watersheds
The water that remains on land flows and drains into a shared destination of some kind. Whether it be a river, pond, stream, lake or estuary, these are our homes' watersheds. A watershed has three main functions. First it captures precipitation in the form of snow, ice and rain. The characteristic of the watershed depends on how much is captured. For example, a large lake will take in much more water from precipitation than a small stream.
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Next, the watershed stores the water once it infiltrates the soil. This is necessary for native plants to grow, which in turn keeps other animals and organisms healthy in their natural habitat. The third function of a water shed is to slowly release the water into streams, rivers and oceans. As mentioned before, the water flows underground in aquifers and as groundwater as it travels to a larger body of water to be stored. Again, this is when the water is naturally purified and cleaned through the rocks in the earth.
Human Disturbances
As with almost any area in a developed region, humans have disturbed and changed nature and the natural flow of water to benefit our lifestyle. While it is important to have a high-functioning society with plenty of resources, there is a fine line that is easily crossed when we modify the earth and water cycle.
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For instance, dams created to provide energy to a metropolis also changes the temperature range of that river's water flowing after the dam. While this may not seem like a very important issue, it definitely can be in some areas. The natural changes in water temperature between the surface water and deep layers of a body of water determine what natural algae and organisms will thrive in the water. When the temperature is changed and doesn't allow for as much variation, the natural algae, organisms and sediments begin to disappear and change. As this happens, it becomes easier for non-native intrusive plants and organisms to invade the waterway. Sometimes this means they choke out natural inhabitants and completely take over. This also causes wildlife patterns to change, tree and plant regrowth to slow or stop and it can become increasingly difficult to eradicate any intrusive, non-native predators.
Another example is when waterways are straightened or moved for the sake of industry and development. When the flow of water is changed it will disrupt the natural sediments on the bottom of the river that water is sifted through. Again, while this may not seem like an issue in water quality, it absolutely can be. The fine and natural sediment and rock that our water flows through is the most natural filter one could find. When those rocks and sediments change through an unnatural process the water flowing to our watershed and into our groundwater actually becomes less clean and less filtered. This means we need to do more of the cleaning and filtering ourselves through the use of energy and unnatural filters and media. These unnatural filters and media can actually remove some of the good components of water, such as minerals, which are important to our bodies.
Even small changes to the grade and surface of landscaping changes how water flows from the precipitation stage into our larger bodies of water and ultimately into our groundwater and watersheds.
Another example is when waterways are straightened or moved for the sake of industry and development. When the flow of water is changed it will disrupt the natural sediments on the bottom of the river that water is sifted through. Again, while this may not seem like an issue in water quality, it absolutely can be. The fine and natural sediment and rock that our water flows through is the most natural filter one could find. When those rocks and sediments change through an unnatural process the water flowing to our watershed and into our groundwater actually becomes less clean and less filtered. This means we need to do more of the cleaning and filtering ourselves through the use of energy and unnatural filters and media. These unnatural filters and media can actually remove some of the good components of water, such as minerals, which are important to our bodies.
Even small changes to the grade and surface of landscaping changes how water flows from the precipitation stage into our larger bodies of water and ultimately into our groundwater and watersheds.
The way water flows and moves through the hydrologic cycle is important to understand as we move towards restoring many water ways and bodies of water back to their natural state. A great way to better understand these concepts is through visual aids and science projects (for adults and kids alike!). Below are some great ideas for these kinds of projects:
Amanda Klecker, Zell Plumbing & Heating