Water as a Resource - Questions
1. Write down five examples of how water is used in the home.
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2. Is water a renewable resource, or a non-renewable resource? Provide a
reason for your answer.
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3. Label the diagram to show how all water on Earth is connected in the
water cycle. The word list is in order from 1 to 8.
Word List: evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation,
absorption, ground water, run-off
4. The following list shows how we use water at home. First, write down the
amount of water used in each example. Rank these in order from 1 – 10,
with 1 being the most helpful in saving water to 10 being the least watersaving. Explain your order.
Activity using water
Amount of
water used
(L)
Importance
(1 -10)
Using the half flush on the toilet
Using the full flush on the toilet
Having a two minute shower
Brushing teeth while running the tap
Hosing dirt from the driveway
Brushing dirt with a broom out of driveway
Using the dishwasher 5 times
Using the dishwasher 2 times
Using the washing machine 5 times
Using the washing machine 2 times
5. Using the above information, why is it important to make sure that the
washing machine is fully loaded before using it?
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6. Make a list of 8 points, of Do’s and Don’ts that you can put on the fridge at
home to remind your family about not wasting water.
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7. List three materials that are put into waste water that should not be there.
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8. Suggest ways to prevent materials going down the drain.
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9. Explain how it is possible to save water by using rainwater tanks.
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Water as a Resource
All life on earth depends on water. Water covers three quarters of the
earth (75%), but fresh water is in much limited supply (2.5%). Water is
considered as a renewable resource because it is recycled in the Water
Cycle as shown below. However, pollution reduces the quality of water
that we can use in our everyday lives. We need clean water for our
everyday activities.
The table below shows some of the ways that water is used in our homes and
the amount used.
Activity using Water
Dishwasher
Five minute shower
Two minute shower
Running the tap for 1 minute
Brushing teeth with tap running
One load in the washing machine
Garden house running for 30 min
Toilet half flush
Toilet full flush
Amount of Water (L)
12 – 50
62.5
25
15
30
120
500
3
11
Water Usage at Home
In Australia, each person uses 825 L of water a day, on average, which is a lot of
water. We use water to drink, wash our food, have a shower, flush the toilet,
wash our hands, water the garden, clean cars, prepare food, and wash our
clothes. 140 L is used in the toilet, 180 L is used in the bathroom, 110 L is used in
the laundry, 55 L is used in the kitchen, and 340 L is used outdoors.
For each room in the house, write down the amount of water that is used
on average per day, into the table below.
Room / Location in the house
Amount of water used (L)
Draw a column graph below to show the amount of water used in each
location.
300
250
200
150
100
50
Outdoors
Kitchen
Laundry
Bathroom
0
Toilet
Amount of Water Used (L)
350