Ch 11.3 & 4Using Water Wisely

Pgs. 280-289IN: What are some problems we face with water shortages here in Southern

Nevada?

Terms to Learn & ObjectivesTerms:

Ground water water table aquifer porosity

Permeability point-source pollution

sewage treatment plantObjectives:

*Describe the characteristics of an aquifer.

*Describe the stages of treatment for water at a sewage treatment plant.

*Explain how ground water can be both a renewable and a nonrenewable resource.

Ground waterWater located within the rocks below the Earth’s

surface is an important resource and plays a role in erosion and deposition.

Water accumulates in an area know as the zone of saturation the top of which is the water table.

The water table rises and falls with the seasons

so it can be renewed naturally.Sometimes we use the water

faster than it can renew itself.

Rock LayersPorous rocks have open spaces between the

individual rock layers.Permeable rocks’ pores are connected and so water

can pass through.

AquifersA rock layer that stores and

allows the flow of water is called

an aquifer.Usually the rock layer above an

aquifer must be porous and

permeable such as sandstone

or limestone.

What kind of rock covers Nevada?Hint, Nevada was once covered with an ocean.

Groundwater Erosion and DepositionGround water can dissolved certain types of rock

such as limestone forming caves.Sometimes the water drips and forms stalactites on

the ceilings of caves, or stalagmites on the floors.

Ch. 11.4Using Water Wisely

Cleaning Polluted WaterSewage treatment plants are factories that clean the

waste materials out of water that comes from the sewer or drains.

Primary Treatment removes

solid material such as paper

and plastic or oil on top.Secondary Treatment aerates

the water and it is treated

with bacteria and chlorine.

Point-source Pollution: comes from one particular point, such as a sewer pipe.

Nonpoint-source pollution: comes from runoff from general sources.

Where the water goes

What’s goin’on?Lake Mead is shrinking.Levels are becoming

a major concern.

The Southern Nevada Water AuthorityPatricia Mulroy is heading the plan to build the

pipeline from White Pine County

to Las Vegas

The PlanSNWA has plans to

build a pipeline to Las

Vegas from the aquifer

in White Pine county.

The OppositionGreat Basin Water Network (GBWN) - Stop Nevada Water Grabs!

What do you think?