Water Conservation &

Water Quality 11.4

Water Quality

• How do we know if the water is “good?”– Dissolved oxygen– Pathogens– Temperature– pH– Turbidity– Suspended sediment– nitrates– http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/characteristics.html

Where does pollution come from?

• There are two main categories of water pollution:– Point source– Nonpoint-source

Point source pollution

• Comes from one specific source:– Leaking sewer pipe– Leaking tanker– Outfall pipe from a factory

• This type of pollution can be identified, monitored and controlled.

Point source pollution

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=bp+oil+spill+pictures&qs=IM&sk=IM1&pq=bp+oil+spill+&sp=2&sc=8-13&form=QBIR#x0y37

Nonpoint-source pollution

• Comes from many vague sources:– lawns– fields– roadways

• This type of pollution is difficult to trace, difficult to monitor and difficult to control.

• Education is the best remedy!

• http://www.txlawncare.com/wp-content/gallery/landscape/riding-spreader-ferlizing-lawn.jpg

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=nonpoint+source+pollution+examples&view=detail&id=A087CA45F3EE0D8EB31D011B4651652D96A1DDD0&first=0&FORM=IDFRIR

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=litter+images&view=detail&id=06A70A7E2B26B95CA01BF41C312F4040898BADD2&first=0&FORM=IDFRIR

Cultural eutrophication

From Miller’s Living in the Environment

Wastewater treatment

From Miller’s Living in the Environment

Primary treatment

• Large screen to catch solids such as plastics, bottle caps, paper.

• Large tank where small particles can sink & get filtered out.

• Oil floats to surface & is skimmed off.

Secondary treatment

• Water flows to aeration tank where oxygen & bacteria are mixed.

• Bacteria feeds on the waste.• Water flows to another tank.• Water is disinfected with chlorine, UV or

ozone.• Water is released to stream or river.

NC Water Use

• http://www.ncagwater.org/documents/NC_Agricultural_Water_Strategic_Plan_Exec_Summary.pdf

NC Law for water conservation

• http://www.ncwater.org/Reports_and_Publications/hb1215/HB1215_Sec5_Report.pdf

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Water+Conservation+Ideas&view=detail&id=924A5F6C23BE13E3FA7C4DAEC1525681838B5121&first=0

What can you do to reduce your water consumption?

• With your team, generate a list of ways that you can reduce your water consumption. Every drop counts!

• Here are some ideas…let’s compare our lists:

• http://wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve/index.php

Homework

• Read pages 326 - 331

Output

• Select 3 ways to reduce your water use. • Write them in your notebook.• Share these ideas with your family tonight.• Make a mental note about how they respond

to your ‘water conservation’ lesson.