Activity 2 - How Does Your Community Maintain Its Water Supply?

Use the resources listed below to help you complete this activity.

To learn more about this topic, visit the following web sites:

Surface Water

"Natural Processes of Groundwater and Surface water Interaction: The Hydrologic Cycle and Interactions of Ground Water and Surface Water" - USGS Circular 1139
Site reviews the basics of the water cycle, with a focus on the movement of water between and within ground and surface water reservoirs. Includes several full color illustrations. Additional information can be obtained by clicking on "Box" links.

Clean Water Act - EPA
This site reviews the Clean Water Act and threats to the nation's surface water reservoirs. Also includes a FAQ section with advice on finding more information.

Groundwater

Hydrogeology - EPA
This site introduces concepts of hydrogeology, which involves the study of water below the Earth's surface. Click on links to find more information and images on what groundwater is, what an aquifer is, how water moves underground, and more. "Key Terms and Concepts" link contains an extensive glossary.

"What is Hydrogeology?" - International Association of Hydrogeologists
This site starts with an explanation of hydrogeology as a science. Links at the bottom of the page provide information and images to review groundwater as a resources, pollution threats to groundwater, and steps that can be taken to protect groundwater supplies.

"Ground Water Atlas of the United States" - USGS
Click on your region of the map to open a new window that will contain links to a summary of groundwater in the area and information about each of the primary aquifers in that region.

Desalination

"Seawater Desalination in California" - Pantell et al., California Coastal Commission
Online report reviews the basics of the desalination process and how desalination has affected humans and the environment in California.

"MCWD Sea Water Desalination" - Marine Coast Water District, Marina, California
Short article covers the steps of the desalination process used to assure that water is safe to drink. Click on link to view a color graphic of the desalination process.

Water Conservation

"How Can I Help To Protect My Drinking Water Supply?" - EPA
This site introduces programs currently in progress to protect the nation's water supply and suggestions for communities that wish to get involved in water conservation and protection.

"How to Conserve Water and Use It Effectively" - EPA Office of Water
This chapter from an online document (Cleaner Water Through Conservation) discusses a number of water conservation practices for residential, industrial/commercial, and agricultural users. Chapter addresses conservation issues and costs associated with dealing with these issues.

"Citizen's Guide to Groundwater Protection" - EPA
Online guide provides information and suggestions for ways that the community can become involved in the protection of groundwater sources.

Part C: Water Supply in Your Community

To complete the investigation, each student group will need:

• Community water quality report

American Water Works North American Water Utilities
Select your state from the scroll down list. You will be taken to a new page. Click on your county or municipality to open the local water quality report. You may have to do some searching to find the actual report.

EPA Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water
Click on your state to be taken to a new page that gives an overview of your state's drinking water and links to additional information. To view your water quality report, click on the "water quality report" link to view a list of reports that are available online.

Inquiring Further:

To learn more about the first American reservoirs and groundwater systems, visit the following web site:

"Water in Colorado - A Brief History & Review of Water Resources" - The Water Information Program

Send all comments about this website to education@agiweb.org

Last updated: May 11, 2010

This project is supported, in part, by the National Science Foundation and the AGI Foundation. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Foundation.