Background Information
Water is the most common substance on the earth. It covers about 3/4 of the earth's surface. Most of it is found in the oceans, and the rest in rivers, streams, lakes, polar ice caps, ground water, pools, ponds and puddles.Water is essential to all living things. Animals and plants depend on water for survival. Many organisms live in water and those that don't contain a significant amount of water in their bodies. For example, the human body is about 80% water by weight. Surprisingly, with all the water found on the earth, only 1% is drinkable. How can this be? The rest is in salty oceans, frozen glaciers or in the ice at the North and South Poles.
Because water is so important to life, it is essential that this resource be protected and cared for by everyone. Unfortunately, we have a problem. Our water is being damaged by pollution. It is getting dirtier faster than it can clean itself. It is polluted in our homes, schools, factories, and farms. When water is dirty, plants and fish cannot live in it. Bacteria that cause diseases grow in dirty water. If people drink this water they can become ill.
What Causes Water Pollution?
Water Pollution occurs when substances that are harmful to living things are added to water. People cause most water pollution. Sewage, human wastes and waste water from homes and other buildings dumped into rivers, lakes,and streams are called organic pollution. Materials such as phosphates from laundry soap, pesticides from lawn sprays, oil from oil spills, and chemicals from factories are called chemical pollution. Heated water from factories and power plants is called thermal pollution. Hot water changes the oxygen level which can kill plants and animals.
+In this unit we will collect data on different aspects of water use and water quality. How does the water in your area compare to the water collected by students in other schools? We will also contact scientists who will share some of the results of their research, analyze our research, and make suggestions for new experiments we can do to learn more about water.
Clean Water Database