Sources of Water: Overview, Categories, Significance and Conservation Efforts

Water is vital for the survival of all living organisms, be it human, animal or plant. We use water for drinking, cooking, farming, cleaning, industries and generating electricity. It is highly important to know where the clean water comes from and how to protect it because there is not much clean water. Let’s learn about different sources of water, their role in the water cycle and importance on our environment.

Table of Contents

• What are the Main Sources of Water on Earth
• Natural and Man-made Sources of Water
• How does the Water Cycle Replenishes Water Sources
• Importance of Sources of Water on Earth
• Conservation of Water Sources
• Frequently Asked Questions about Sources of Water

What are the Main Sources of Water on Earth

Water sources are the sources from where we take water for our daily needs. Water is derived from natural and man-made sources. These sources supply fresh water for homes, farms, industries and wildlife. Around 97.5% of the total water present on earth is saltwater which comes from sea and ocean. Just 2.5% of the total water on earth is freshwater and a large portion of it is locked in ice caps and glaciers. The remaining exists as groundwater and only about 1.3% is surface water in ponds, rivers, lakes and swamps. 

Natural and Man-Made Sources of Water

The two main types of sources of water are natural water sources and man-made water sources.

Natural sources of water are created through various geological and climatic processes over many years and can be classified into the following categories.

• Groundwater: It is the water stored under the surface of earth in the pores of sand and under rocks. It is accessed through wells, tube wells and natural springs.
• Rainwater: Rainwater is the purest form of natural freshwater. It is formed when water vapor in the atmosphere condenses and falls as precipitation.
• Surface Water: All the water present on the surface of earth in different water bodies such as rivers, ponds, lakes, oceans and streams is called surface water.

Man-made sources of water are created by humans to hold, store and regulate water for various purposes.

• Canals: It is an artificial waterway made to take water from one place to another. These are built in places that do not have natural water sources.
• Tubewell: These are narrow, deep wells drilled into aquifers to pump groundwater to the surface. They are widely used in rural areas for drinking water supply small-scale irrigation.
• Dams: These are storage structures built on rivers to hold water across rivers to hold water in reservoirs. They are built for multiple purposes such as storing water, generating electricity and preventing floods.

How does Water Cycle Replenishes Water Sources

The water cycle is a process of continuous recycling of water from earth’s surface and its atmosphere. It helps in keeping the balance of water on earth and maintains the availability of fresh water on earth. This cycle ensures that water gets replenished in all the sources of water. It adds freshwater to both surface water and groundwater supplies.

Importance of Sources of Water on Earth

• Survival of Earth: Water is crucial for survival of all living organisms on earth. Without water we can only survive for a few days.
• Agriculture: Water is needed for growing crops and food. Without water there will be shortage of food and other resources.
• Industry: Water is important for industries as it is used in manufacturing, production as well as mining.
• Ecosystem: All sources of water such as rivers, ponds and lakes are vital for survival of various species on earth. It supports ecosystems and biodiversity.
• Climate Regulation: Oceans are the largest carbon sinks that help regulate temperatures of our planet. Oceans give around 70% of the oxygen on earth.
• Economical Significance: Access to clean water is fundamental to economic growth and public health.

Conservation of Water Sources

Conservation of water sources is essential because freshwater is limited and the stress on these sources is increasing drastically due to overpopulation, pollution and agriculture needs. Here are some ways to preserve source of water:

• Prevent industrial waste, agricultural runoff and untreated sewage from contaminating water bodies. 
• Avoid plastic and replace it with some reusable and biodegradable material to prevent plastic debris from entering water bodies. 
• Dispose waste properly to prevent harmful waste from entering water bodies.
• Adopt eco-friendly products to prevent contamination of water sources. 
• Create awareness about the impact of water contamination on our environment and promote various ways to conserve sources of water.