Copyright  2001 Ecowater Systems, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
CHAPTER 1
WATER
INTRODUCTION
Water is the fundamental component of our eco-system. No other resource is more
important to man than water; it sustains all life and is crucial to our existence. Roughly
two-thirds (2/3) of our planet is water but less than three (3) percent is available as fresh
water.
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80% of the earth’s surface is water.
More than 97% of this water is in the oceans.
2% is locked in polar icecaps.
Less than 1% is in freshwater lakes, streams and wells.
H2 O
The true definition of “pure water” is H2O -- two (2) parts hydrogen to one (1) part oxygen.
However, “pure water” is expensive and very hard to find so water containing some
degree of impurity is frequently termed “pure”. Different individuals in various fields will
use the term “pure water” when defining water that matches their need -
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A bacteriologist defines “pure water” to contain no living bacteria.
A chemist defines “pure water” to contain no minerals, gasses or organic impurities.
A public water supply defines “pure water” to meet the United States Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) standards in terms of its suitability for drinking (or potability).
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HYDROLOGIC CYCLE
The hydrologic cycle is the earth’s natural method of cleansing water. The earth, sun and
atmosphere all work together imitating a distiller. It is the largest water purification system
known to man.
In this cleaning process, surface water evaporates from streams, lakes, etc. and rises to
the sky in the form of vapor. The vapor condenses into clouds. When the condensation
in the clouds are heavy enough, it falls to earth as rain, snow etc. About 70% of the water
will evaporate again. The remaining 30% will replenish surface water. Throughout the
hydrologic cycle (see Hydrologic Cycle), water changes from pure to impure and back to
pure again.
1.
EVAPORATION Surface water is heated by sunlight and evaporates into vapor that ascends
into the atmosphere. This is the purest naturally occurring water.
2.
CONDENSATION When water vapor condenses in the atmosphere, it forms a cloud. The
cloud becomes increasingly “dirtier” by picking up impurities - usually in the form of dissolved
gases. This atmospheric water is acidic and aggressive. “Acidic” water tends to dissolve
virtually all minerals it comes in contact with.
3.
PRECIPITATION The acidic water returns to earth as precipitation (rain, snow, sleet, etc.).
4.
INFILTRATION The water picks up sediment and dissolved minerals as it seeps through the
soil becoming hard, brackish and contaminated to varying degrees.
5.
EVAPORATION The water eventually heats again and the cycle repeats.
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INCONSISTENT WATER CHEMISTRY
Water is considered a “universal solvent”, it will dissolve a portion of anything it comes in
contact with such as –
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Metals
Rocks
Waste Matter
Gases
Dust
Foreign Substances
The dissolved content in water are termed “Impurities or Contaminants”. There are wide
dissimilarities in the content of water from area to area because of environmental
conditions. Population, manufacturing, agriculture, terrain, seasonal precipitation, land
development, irrigation, pollution and municipal pretreatment are all directly related.
Example - The composition of two (2) private wells only five (5) feet apart can be entirely different
as well as municipal water which can be drawn from one (1) or more wells and/or can be a mixture
of surface and well.
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WATER SUPPLIES
There are three (3) supplies of service water for homes and businesses - surface water,
ground water and municipal water.
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SURFACE WATER
Lakes, rivers, streams, oceans
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GROUND WATER
Water from underground sources
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MUNICIPAL WATER
Water from either surface or well that is pretreated, centrally stored and distributed to multiple
users
More than 80% of the homes and businesses in the United States and Canada are
served by municipal or community water supplies. The other 20% are dependent on
surface water such as lakes or rivers and ground water like private shallow or deep drilled
wells.
AVERAGE WATER USE
The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) monitors and reports average water uses 
DAILY WATER USAGE
A person will use eighty (80) gallons of water per day for kitchen, laundry, bathing, sanitary
functions and other uses in the home.
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DAILY WATER CONSUMPTION
A person will consume one-half (1/2) to one (1) gallon of water per day, including juices and
water used in cooking food.
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NOTES
EXERCISE
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1. What percentage of the planet’s water is fresh lakes, rivers and streams?
A. 50%
B. 80%
C. 10%
D. 1%
2. The hydrologic cycle serves what purpose?
A. Flood Control
B. Purify Water
C. Cloud Cover
3. Which step of the hydrologic cycle produces the purest naturally occurring
water?
A. Evaporation
B. Condensation
C. Precipitation
D. Infiltration
4. Acidic or “Hungry” water tends to ________________ virtually all minerals it
comes in contact with.
A. Clean
B. Polish
C. Dissolve
D. Dilute
5. Water is considered to be a __________________.
A. Universal Precipitate
B. Universal Solvent
C. Universal Drink Mixer
6. Water chemistry can change whether the supply is surface, well or municipal?
True or False
7. Well water five (5) feet apart can be entirely different?
True or False
8. Which water supplies may require treatment?
A. Well
B. Surface
C. Municipal
D. Well, Surface and Municipal
9. On average, how many estimated gallons per day is used per person?
A. 5 gpd
B. 8 gpd
C. 80 gpd
D. 500 gpd
10. A person will consume an average of two gallons per day?
True or False
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