"The amount of water people use increased sixfold (x6) during the twentieth century. This is more than twice the rate of population growth."
There are three types of water:
Blue Water: is a term commonly used to describe the earth's fresh surface water and groundwater - that is, the water in freshwater lakes, rivers and aquifers.
Green Water: is used to describe water stored in the soil or present in vegetation.
Grey Water: is wastewater. It comes from domestic activities such as washing clothes, washing dishes and bathing. Grey water can be recycled and used to water gardens and sporting fields.
Blue Water: is a term commonly used to describe the earth's fresh surface water and groundwater - that is, the water in freshwater lakes, rivers and aquifers.
Green Water: is used to describe water stored in the soil or present in vegetation.
Grey Water: is wastewater. It comes from domestic activities such as washing clothes, washing dishes and bathing. Grey water can be recycled and used to water gardens and sporting fields.
Click here to read how the Water Corporation treats our waste water to return it safely to the environment for future use
Water use in Australia:
Australia has one of the highest per capita (per person) rates of water use IN THE WORLD! The largest consumer (user) of water in Australia is the agriculture sector (farming). Two-thirds of all people on earth use less than 60 litres each of water per day
Australia has one of the highest per capita (per person) rates of water use IN THE WORLD! The largest consumer (user) of water in Australia is the agriculture sector (farming). Two-thirds of all people on earth use less than 60 litres each of water per day
Complete the interactive activity on page 115
You and your partner have been approached by the Prime Minister to combat this "bottled water" issue that Australia is facing. Discuss and write down some ideas you could suggest to the Prime Minister that could help decrease the amount of bottled water Australians are drinking to combat the issues outlined in the article above:
- Greenhouse gases poured into the atmosphere as a result of making the plastic bottles (over 4.5 times more than cars!)
- The amount of plastic bottles that aren't recycled and end up in landfill or as rubbish on the street.
Complete these questions in your work book:
- Explain the difference between blue, green and grey water.
- What is the estimated basic water needs of people? How does this compare with the average Australian household water use?
Here is the answer to the Poll: