WATER RESOURCES
❖ Water is considered a vital resource. An essential use of water in our country is
for irrigation. Additionally, water is required in large quantities for both
industrial and domestic use.
❖ USES
➢ It is essential for all forms of life.
➢ Many uses of water include agricultural, industrial, household, recreational, and
environmental activities. Virtually, all of these human uses require fresh water.
➢ No plant or animal species can survive without water. If the water in our body
drops by 1%, we feel thirsty; if it drops by 10%, we face death.
❖ HYDROLOGICAL CYCLE:
, DISTRIBUTION OF WATER RESOURCES
UNDERGROUND WATER:
Aquifer: The layers of highly permeable rock that can store water are called an
aquifer. Layers of sand and gravel are good aquifers. Clay and crystalline rocks are not
good aquifers.
Effects of overutilization of water:
1. Decrease of groundwater:
i. Increased usage decreases the groundwater.
ii. Insufficient rainfall
iii. Building construction activities seal the permeability of the soil.
2. Ground subsidence:
If groundwater withdrawal exceeds its recharge rate, the sediments in the aquifers
become compacted. As a result, the shrinkage of the land surface takes place.
, Problems:
a. Structural damages to the buildings
b. Fracture in pipes.
c. Reversing the flow of canals.
3. Lowering of the water table:
Overutilization of groundwater in arid and semi-arid regions for agricultural
purposes disrupts the equilibrium of the hydrological cycle.
Problem:
a. Lowering of the water table
b. Decrease the number of aquifers
c. Change the speed and direction of water.
4. Intrusion of salt water:
In coastal areas, overexploitation of groundwater leads to the intrusion of saltwater
from the sea. Therefore, that water cannot be used for drinking or agriculture.
5. Overutilization of water causes earthquakes, landslides, and famines.
6. Drying up of wells:
Due to overutilization, the groundwater level decreases much faster than it can be
regenerated. It leads to the drying up of dug wells and bore wells.
7. Pollution of water: Near the agricultural land, groundwater decreases; therefore,
water containing nitrogen enters the ground and pollutes the groundwater.
Problem: Water containing excessive nitrate content is not suitable for drinking.
❖ Water is considered a vital resource. An essential use of water in our country is
for irrigation. Additionally, water is required in large quantities for both
industrial and domestic use.
❖ USES
➢ It is essential for all forms of life.
➢ Many uses of water include agricultural, industrial, household, recreational, and
environmental activities. Virtually, all of these human uses require fresh water.
➢ No plant or animal species can survive without water. If the water in our body
drops by 1%, we feel thirsty; if it drops by 10%, we face death.
❖ HYDROLOGICAL CYCLE:
, DISTRIBUTION OF WATER RESOURCES
UNDERGROUND WATER:
Aquifer: The layers of highly permeable rock that can store water are called an
aquifer. Layers of sand and gravel are good aquifers. Clay and crystalline rocks are not
good aquifers.
Effects of overutilization of water:
1. Decrease of groundwater:
i. Increased usage decreases the groundwater.
ii. Insufficient rainfall
iii. Building construction activities seal the permeability of the soil.
2. Ground subsidence:
If groundwater withdrawal exceeds its recharge rate, the sediments in the aquifers
become compacted. As a result, the shrinkage of the land surface takes place.
, Problems:
a. Structural damages to the buildings
b. Fracture in pipes.
c. Reversing the flow of canals.
3. Lowering of the water table:
Overutilization of groundwater in arid and semi-arid regions for agricultural
purposes disrupts the equilibrium of the hydrological cycle.
Problem:
a. Lowering of the water table
b. Decrease the number of aquifers
c. Change the speed and direction of water.
4. Intrusion of salt water:
In coastal areas, overexploitation of groundwater leads to the intrusion of saltwater
from the sea. Therefore, that water cannot be used for drinking or agriculture.
5. Overutilization of water causes earthquakes, landslides, and famines.
6. Drying up of wells:
Due to overutilization, the groundwater level decreases much faster than it can be
regenerated. It leads to the drying up of dug wells and bore wells.
7. Pollution of water: Near the agricultural land, groundwater decreases; therefore,
water containing nitrogen enters the ground and pollutes the groundwater.
Problem: Water containing excessive nitrate content is not suitable for drinking.
