1. Water: A precious resourceBy,Jaideep

2. Water is a natural resource that is vitalfor both plants and animals. Water exists in abundance on our planetearth. 3. Forms of water There are three states of water, they aresolids, liquids and gaseous. Here is a diagram of Forms of Water 4. Water cycle What is Water cycle? The continuous circulation of waterin nature is called water cycle. 5. Evaporation- The conversation ofliquid to vapour is calledevaporation. Condensation- The conversation ofvapour to liquid is calledcondensation. Precipitation- The falling down ofwater from clouds is calledprecipitation. Transpiration- The loss of waterthrough water vapour is calledtranspiration. 6. Uses of water The uses of water can be broadly dividedinto agricultural, domestic and industrialuses.Agricultural needsIndustrial22% needs70%8% Domesticneeds 7. Agricultural Use Water is used for irrigating fieldsthrough canals, pipelines and dripirrigation. Nearly 60% of the Indian populationdepends on agriculture for theirliving, and uses nearly 90% of allwater for irrigation. 8. Percentage of watervaries in differentliving organisms.Tree:60%, Tomato: 90%,Elephant: 80%. 9. Domestic Use Water is used for cooking, bathing,cleaning, etc Water is supplied by the municipalityor from wells/bore wells. 10. Industrial Use Water is used in industries as a rawmaterial, solvent, coolant and for makingelectricity.Coolant A liquidthat is used forcooling a machine.Solvent Anysubstance that candissolve is calledsolvent. 11. Sources of water Precipitation in the form of rain or snowprovides fresh water to our planet earth. Most of the fresh water returns to theoceans through rivers flowing across theglobe. The various sources of water can bedivided into two main categories. Surface water Underground water or subsoil water 12. Surface water Water present on the surface ofthe earth is called surface water. It can be classified into three, Rain water River and lake water Sea and ocean water 13. Rain water It is the purest form of water. why? Yes, because as the water from seas and rivers evaporateto form of water vapour under the heat of the sun, itleaves behind all the impurities. When precipitationoccurs, the first showers dissolve certain gases presentin air and also bring suspended impurities with it. 14. River and lake water The water in these water bodies comeseither from rainfall or melting of snow(glaciers) on the mountains.River 15. Sea and ocean water Oceans are a huge store of water. Millions of litres of water is present inthem. But the water is salty and is not fitfor any domestic or agricultural use. 16. Underground water or subsoilwater Ground water is the water under theground where the soil is completelyfilled or saturated with water. Rainwater seeps through topsoil and layersof rocks like limestone, sand and graveland gets collected on top of non-porouslayers. The top level of this underground water iscalled water table. Underground water iscalled and aquifer. 17. Under ground water oraquifer 18. Dam 19. Scarcity of water Scarcity of water is defined as asituation where there is insufficientwater to satisfy normal requirements. Though water is a renewable resource,the factors of scarcity of water are, Increasing population. Increasing industries. Agricultural activities. Deforestation. Water scarcity will result in insufficientplant growth, decreased food productionand famine. 20. Some causes of waterscarcity In India some causes of water scarcity are: Uncontrolled use of bore welltechnology for extracting groundwater. Pollution of freshwater resources. No effective measures for waterconservation. 21. Effects of water scarcity onplants You must have seen potted plants wiltingand ultimately drying up if they did not getwater even for a few days. Plants need water to get nutrients fromthe soil to prepare their food. So just imagine the consequences if wateris not available to plants. The effects of water scarcity on plants arestunted growth, decreased food productionand famine. 22. Conservation of water We can save water by, Avoid wastage Repair leaking tap Water the plants by drop and drop 23. Conservation of water Water saving practices are given below, Households can save water by promptlyfixing leaks. Recycling of water is very important. By improving the methods of irrigatingthe fields. Rainwater harvesting. 24. Fill in the blanks Which is the continuous circulation ofwater on earth (water table, water cycle) Snow and frost are which forms of water(solid, liquid) Which water is the purest form of water(lake, rain) Most of the water that exists on earth iswhich and which (seas and oceans, pondsand rivers)