Water Quality & Quantity

Open Ended

Warm Up

What is the difference between point and non-point source pollution? Name one example of each.

Conservation of
Water Quality and
Quantity

2.4.2.5 Evaluate conservation measures to
maximize quality and quantity of available
freshwater resources

Water Quality

●Poor surface water quality can be indicated by a low pH

●Water quality is typically maintained through water treatment
plants.
○Dirty and turbid water is brought in from a local source

○Larger chunks of sediment are removed through the use
of coagulants

○Smaller particles are removed by pushing water through
filters (typically made of activated carbon)

○Finally, biological contaminants are eliminated through
disinfection with either Chlorine (Cl) or UV Radiation

Water Treatment Facility and Wastewater
Facility Explained:

Charlotte Water info video and Quality
Reports

Unregulated water
contaminants in charlotte
water site.

Wetland Conservation

●Wetlands are important
environments that filter and store
sediment coming from runoff.

●Wetlands are preserved through a
reduction in use of pollutants like
fertilizer, pesticides, and oils.

●Native plants can also be planted
to maintain the foundation of the
ecosystem and prevent
degradation/erosion.

Water Quantity

●Increasing water quantity can be done primarily by reducing
current use of available freshwater resources.

●At home, water can be conserved in many different ways.
○Turning the faucet off while brushing teeth, washing
hands, or shaving

○Taking shorter showers

○Installing more efficient faucets and showerheads.

○Checking for leaks in sinks and toilets

○Only run washing machine or dishwasher when they are
full

Water Quantity and Agriculture

●Water use in agriculture makes up a considerable portion of
the water used globally.
○Approximately 70 percent of freshwater withdrawals can
be accounted for by agriculture (FAO of the UN).

●Water can be easily save by using less water intensive crops
○Examples of Water Intensive Crops: Sugar, Corn, Wheat,
Rice, Cotton, Soybeans, Almonds,

○Many Beans and Peas are considered to not be water
intensive, along with any vegetable with a deep root
system

Irrigation

●Water can also be saved through changing the way we
water/irrigate our crops

●Type of Irrigation Methods:
○Center Pivot (Very wasteful) - Water is distributed by a
system of sprinklers that turn in a circular pattern around
a point

○Sprinkler Irrigation - Water is distributed through higher
pressure sprinklers (can be stationary or moving)

○Drip Irrigation (Least Wasteful) - Water is delivered
directly to the roots of plants through pumps and tubes
Manual Irrigation - Using a water can and manual labor

Center Pivot

Sprinkler Irrigation

Drip Irrigation

Multiple Choice

Which of these choices will lead to the greatest quality of water for a water source located near a farm?

• Using less fertilizer on crops

• Improper disposal of animal waste from the farm

• Using more fertilizer on crops

• Using more pesticides on crops

Multiple Choice

What is one way you can reduce water use at home?

• Water your grass when it rains

• Taking longer showers

• Run the dishwasher everynight

• Only wash clothes when the hamper is full

Multiple Choice

Which irrigation system uses a lot of water constantly showering crops in a rotation fashion?

• Center pivot

• Sprinkler irrgation

• Drip irrigation

• Manual irrigation