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Questions and Answers
What primary purpose do desalination plants serve in arid countries?
What primary purpose do desalination plants serve in arid countries?
- To convert seawater into potable water (correct)
- To enhance groundwater recharge
- To treat wastewater for agriculture
- To manage stormwater runoff
Which conservation technique significantly reduces water usage at water outlets?
Which conservation technique significantly reduces water usage at water outlets?
- Flow restrictors (correct)
- Aerators on faucets
- Low-flow showers
- Rainwater harvesting systems
How does a gray water system help with water conservation?
How does a gray water system help with water conservation?
- By diverting drinking water for irrigation
- By increasing the flow rates of water appliances
- By treating stormwater for residential use
- By filtering and reusing wastewater for toilets (correct)
What is the typical water usage for flushing a toilet with modern water-saving designs?
What is the typical water usage for flushing a toilet with modern water-saving designs?
What challenge regarding potable water is most pressing in arid and semiarid climates?
What challenge regarding potable water is most pressing in arid and semiarid climates?
What is the primary source of rainwater that runs off the surface of the ground?
What is the primary source of rainwater that runs off the surface of the ground?
Which layer of soil or rock prevents water from seeping through, trapping groundwater?
Which layer of soil or rock prevents water from seeping through, trapping groundwater?
What defines potable water?
What defines potable water?
What is an aquifer?
What is an aquifer?
What primarily contaminates surface water compared to groundwater?
What primarily contaminates surface water compared to groundwater?
Which method is used to destroy bacteria in water treatment?
Which method is used to destroy bacteria in water treatment?
How is surface water typically treated for safety?
How is surface water typically treated for safety?
What is one of the major concerns associated with agricultural runoff?
What is one of the major concerns associated with agricultural runoff?
Why is the availability of potable water important to the economy?
Why is the availability of potable water important to the economy?
What is a cistern commonly used for?
What is a cistern commonly used for?
Which chemical can be used to remove the taste of chlorine after water treatment?
Which chemical can be used to remove the taste of chlorine after water treatment?
What happens during a long drought regarding surface water supply?
What happens during a long drought regarding surface water supply?
Which process involves removing saline from seawater?
Which process involves removing saline from seawater?
What significant problem can result from excessive mineral concentrations in water?
What significant problem can result from excessive mineral concentrations in water?
What characteristic is often found in seawater compared to freshwater?
What characteristic is often found in seawater compared to freshwater?
What is a consequence of the presence of coliform organisms in water?
What is a consequence of the presence of coliform organisms in water?
What factor most directly influences the depth of a shallow water table?
What factor most directly influences the depth of a shallow water table?
What is the primary cause of amoebiasis in travellers to developing countries?
What is the primary cause of amoebiasis in travellers to developing countries?
Which of the following factors does NOT affect groundwater potability?
Which of the following factors does NOT affect groundwater potability?
Which parameter is an indicator of the biological quality of water?
Which parameter is an indicator of the biological quality of water?
Which treatment is generally needed to make groundwater potable?
Which treatment is generally needed to make groundwater potable?
What is a potential consequence of removing water from an aquifer too quickly?
What is a potential consequence of removing water from an aquifer too quickly?
Which of the following statements about chemical parameters in water quality is NOT true?
Which of the following statements about chemical parameters in water quality is NOT true?
What is the role of the water table in the groundwater system?
What is the role of the water table in the groundwater system?
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Study Notes
Sources of Water
- Surface Water: Rainwater runoff collected in streams, rivers, and lakes.
- Groundwater: Water that percolates through porous soil and collects on impervious layers.
- Aquifers: Saturated permeable layers (e.g., sands, gravels) that provide a usable supply of water.
- Water Table: The level of groundwater, affected by rainfall and other factors.
- Cisterns: Storage tanks for collecting rainwater, often used in buildings.
- Seawater: Contains high concentrations of dissolved chemicals and microorganisms.
Water Quality Parameters
- Potable Water: Clean water suitable for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.
- Non-Potable Water: Water not suitable for drinking, cooking, or cleaning.
- Chemical Quality: pH, hardness, chemical parameters, biocides, toxic chemicals, and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD).
- Physical Quality: Color, taste, odor, temperature, turbidity, solids, and electrical conductivity.
- Biological Quality: Presence of bacteria, viruses, protozoans, phytoplankton, zooplankton, insects, plants, and fish.
Water Testing and Impurities
- Chemical Analysis: Measures parts per million (ppm) of dissolved chemicals in water.
- Bacteriological Analysis: Determines the density of bacteria in water supply.
- Coliform Organisms: Indicate potential contamination with human or animal waste.
- Surface Water Impurities: Turbidity, bacteria, organic matter, and pollutants from runoff.
- Groundwater Impurities: Dissolved minerals (calcium, iron, silica, etc.), gases (sulfide, sulfur dioxide, etc.).
- Common Waterborne Infections: Amoebiasis, a type of gastroenteritis caused by a parasite.
Water Treatment Process
- Flocculation and Precipitation: Using alum to remove suspended organic and mineral matter.
- Chlorination: Destroying bacteria by adding chlorine.
- Filtration: Removing suspended matter with filters.
- Fluoridation: Adding fluoride to public water to reduce tooth decay.
- Desalination: Removing salt from water (e.g., seawater) to make it potable.
Water Conservation
- Flow Restrictors: Devices that reduce water flow from faucets and showers.
- Water Saving Toilets: Toilets with reduced water consumption.
- Gray Water Systems: Reuse of wastewater from baths, showers, and washing machines after filtering and chlorination.
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