 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...