1.

Sources and Uses of Water

Water is the most basic and fundamental component of life on earth. Approximately 3/4 of the
Earth's surface is covered by water. Water plays a key role in the metabolic breakdown of
essential molecule as proteins and carbohydrates. This process called hydrolysis goes on
continually in living cells. In recent years groundwater has become the central issue in
protection our water resources. Groundwater is a great source for supplying our water needs
but it is also one that is susceptible to contamination. Once a groundwater is contaminated, it
takes decades to recover. As human consumption places greater demands on groundwater
resources, it becomes increasingly important for us to keep these systems free from
contamination.
 

WATER

o Water covers 71% of the Earth's surface 

o 5% in oceans
o 7% in groundwater
o 7% in glaciers, ice caps of Antarctica and Greenland, a small fraction in other large water
bodies
o 001% in the air as vapor, clouds and precipitation
o 5% - freshwater
o 8% - in ice and groundwater
o Less than 0.3% of all freshwater is in rivers, lakes, and the atmosphere
o 003% is contained within biological bodies and manufactured products

SAFE DRINKING WATER               

o no calories or organic nutrients
o approximately one billion people still lack access to safe water
o over 2.5 billion lack accesses to adequate sanitation 
o Water functions as a solvent for a wide variety of chemical substances
o facilitates industrial cooling and transportation
o Approximately 70% of the fresh water - for agriculture

 
THE HYDROLOGICAL CYCLE
Water Cycle (Hydrologic Cycle) - continuous movement of water between the earth and
atmosphere
Components:

1. Evaporation

Change of state of water (a liquid) to water vapor (gas)

2. Transpiration

Evaporation of liquid water from plants and trees into the atmosphere (90% of all water that
enters the roots transpires into the atmosphere)

3. Sublimation

Process where ice and snow (a solid) changes into water vapor (a gas) without moving through
the liquid phase.

4. Condensation

From the gas phase to the liquid phase; water vapor (a gas) changes back into a water droplets
(a liquid) e.g. clouds, fog, dew, or frost form.
 
 

SOURCES OF WATER SUPPLY FOR DOMESTIC USAGE

1. Rain Water – soft, pure, suitable for hot water supply stored in cistern or ponds
2. Natural Surface Water – used for irrigation, industrial purposes, water supply (treated)

o Rivers
o Lakes
o Impound reservoirs

3. Ground Water – requires less treatment because of natural filtering

o Wells
o Springs

WATER DISTRIBUTION TO METRO MANILA

o Water is diverted through a 13km tunnel from Umiray River in Quezon toward Macua &
Angat rivers, which in turn flow into the Angat Reservoir.
o Angat Dam supplies 97% of the water needs of Metro Manila residents and most of the
irrigation requirements of farms in central Luzon. From here, water flows through 2
tunnels down to the Ipo Dam.
o Water is conveyed through three intake structures at the Ipo Dam going to three
connecting tunnels. Water then travels through a distance of 6 km to Bigti, Norzagaray,
which in turn passes through five aqueducts, each about 16km long
o Located in Novaliches, Quezon City, the La Mesa Dam can store up to 50.5million cubic
meters of water from Angat River and Alat River.
o The Novaliches Treatment Plant supplies the west zone.
o The Balara Treatment Plant supplies the east zone.

2. Physical, Chemical & Biological Properties of

Water
PROPERTIES OF WATER
1. Definitions
Pure Water
Water that is colorless and odorless and not found in nature s purified water (a product of
water purification); without any impurities, freezes at 32  ̊F (0  ̊C) at 1 atmospheric pressure
(14.7 psi); boils at 2120  ̊F (100  ̊C), 1 liter = 1kg., 1 cu.M. = 1000kgs; dilution agent (excellent
solvent).

Natural Water
Readily found in nature, as impounded from precipitation, contains impurities (physical,
chemical, bacteriological or radiological).

Purified Water
Water which undergoes treatment, physical, biological or chemical means to improve water
quality. Purification is an artificial means of obtaining chemically pure water.

Contaminated Water
Water with any material or substance that affects the quality of water and affects the health of
an individual.

Polluted Water
Water with the presence of any foreign substance (organic, inorganic, radiological, biological)
which tends to degrade its quality so as to constitute health hazard and impair the potability of
water.

Hard Water
Water with the presence of elements such as Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Iron (Fe) and
Aluminum (Al) which causes hardness. This is characterized by the difficulty of producing
lather….

Soft Water
Water without the presence of Calcium and Magnesium. This is characterized by easiness of
producing lather from detergents and absence of scale formation in boilers, heaters and pipes.

Grey Water
Water from laundries, wash basins, sinks, shower and bathtubs.
Black Water
Water plus human waste that is flushed out of toilets and urinals.

Storm Water
Rain, surface run-off
 

2.  Heat Capacity

Water can absorb heat without becoming much warmer itself. It has greater heat capacity than
any other substance except ammonia.

3  Surface Tension
It is the ability of water to stick to itself and pull itself together. Water has an extremely high
surface tension. Water molecules cling together slightly that it can support heavier than itself.
This can be demonstrated on a dripping tap. As the water drips each drip clings to the tap,
stretches, is released and forms into tiny ball.

4. Capillarity
The tendency of a liquid in a capillary tube or absorbent material to rise or fall as a result of
surface tension.

5. Dissolving Ability
Water can dissolve a variety of different substances, which is why it is such a good solvent.
And, water is called the "universal solvent" because it dissolves more substances than any
other liquid.
 

WATER QUALITY
1. Physical Characteristics
Water from surface sources (roof, run-off, streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, etc.) is particularly
subject to physical pollutants.

Turbidity
Caused by the presence of suspended materials, such as clay, silt, other inorganic material,
planktons or finely divided organic materials.

Color
Often caused by the dissolved organic matter, as from decaying vegetation. Some organic
material also color water, as do growths of microorganisms. Like turbidity, such color changes
usually do not threaten health but often are psychologically undesirable.

Taste and Odor

It can be caused by organic compounds, inorganic salts or dissolved gases. This condition can be
treated only after a chemical analysis has identified which source is responsible.

Temperature
In general, water supplied between 50  ̊F and 60  ̊F (10  ̊C and 16  ̊C) is preferred.

Foamability
This is usually cause by concentration of detergents. The foam itself does not pose a serious
health threat, but it may indicate that other, more pollutants associated with waste are also
present.
 

2. Chemical Characteristics
Ground water is particularly subjected to chemical alteration, because as it moves downward
from the surface it slowly dissolves some minerals contained in rocks and soils. A chemical
analysis is usually necessary for individual water resources. This analysis will indicate (1)
possible presence of harmful or objectionable substances, (2) the potential for corrosion within
the water supply system, and (3) the tendency for water to stain fixtures and clothing.

Alkalinity
This is caused by bicarbonate, carbonate or hydroxide components. Testing for these
components of water’s alkalinity is a key to which treatments to use.

Hardness
Hardness is a relative term, hard water inhibits the cleaning action of soaps and detergents, and
it deposits scale on the inside of hot water pipes and cooking utensils, thus wasting fuel and
making utensils unusable. Hardness is cause by calcium and magnesium salts and can be
classified as temporary (carbonate) and permanent (bicarbonate). Temporary hardness is
temporarily removed by heating, it forms scale. pH is a measure of water’s hydrogen ion
concentration, as well as relative acidity or alkalinity.  A pH of 7 is neutral. Measurements below
7 indicate that water is acidic; water at natural state can have pH as low as 5.5, with 0 as the
ultimate acidity; a pH as 9 high as 9 can be found in water in its natural state, with 14 as the
ultimate alkalinity.
Toxic Substances
Toxic substances are occasionally present in water supplies. Authorities have established
information about concentration of such substances such as Arsenic (As), Barium (Ba),
Cadmium (Cd), Cyanides (CN), Fluorides (F), Lead (Pb), Selenium (Se) and Silver (Ag).
Chlorides
Chlorides can enter water as it passes through geological deposits formed by marine sediment,
or because of pollution from sea water, brine or industrial or domestic wastes.
Chloride in drinking water is not harmful, and most concerns are related to the frequent
association of high chloride levels with elevated sodium levels. Public drinking water standards
require chloride levels not to exceed 250mg/l
Copper
Copper can enter water from natural copper deposits or from copper piping that contains
corrosive water.
Iron
Iron is frequently present in groundwater. Corrosive water in iron pipes will also add iron to
water.
Manganese
Manganese can both pose a psychological threat (it is a natural laxative) and produce color and
taste effects similar to those produced by iron.
Nitrates
Nitrates in high concentrations pose a threat to infants, in whom it can cause “blue baby”
disease, In shallow wells, nitrate concentration can indicate seepage from deposits of livestock
manure.
Pesticides
This is a growing threat to water supplies, particularly common in wells near homes that have
been treated for termite control. Avoid using pesticides near wells.
Sodium
Sodium is primarily harmful to people with heart, kidney, or circulatory ailments. For a low-
sodium diet, the sodium in water should not exceed 20mg/l.
Sulfates
Sulfates have laxative effects. Most of the sulfate in water comes from dissolved minerals,
namely sodium sulfate (salt cake), magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts) and
calcium sulfate (gypsum). Sulfate can also come from fertilizer or sewage treatment.
Zinc
It sometimes enters groundwater in areas where it is found in abundance. Although not a
health threat, it can cause an undesirable taste at concentrations above 5mg/L.
 

3. Biological Characteristics
Potable water should be kept as free as possible from disease producing organisms-bacteria,
protozoa and viruses.
Bacteria – Coliform group (E. Coli), which is present in fecal matter of humans as well as those
of birds and other animals which causes diseases.
Protozoa - are single celled organisms. They come in many different shapes and sizes ranging
from an Amoeba which can change its shape to Paramecium with its fixed shape and complex
structure. They live in a wide variety of moist habitats including fresh water, marine
environments and the soil.
Viruses - are the smallest form of microorganism and may also be present in well water,
cistern water and lake water. Enteroviruses make their way into our water supply by the fecal
waste of infected animals and/or humans. The include polioviruses, echoviruses and
coxsackieviruses.
 

4. Radiological Characteristics
The mining of radioactive materials and the use of such materials in the industry and power
plants have produced radiological pollution in some water supplies. Since radiological effects
are cumulative, concentrations of radioactive material should be low.