To
determine the quality of water, it helps to understand what
water is. You also have to be aware of the relationship between
water and polluting substances, how water travels through a
landscape, and how water cycles through the environment. This
section provides an exploration of the chemical and biological
attributes of water. The information in this section will enhance
your knowledge about water use and increase your ability to
critically engage the issues surrounding water quality.
The Water Cycle
Water is constantly moving and changing its molecular state
as it travels between air, land, and bodies of water. "Cycle
with Water" is an interactive animation that allows
to you to dive in and experience this process firsthand. More
Watersheds A
watershed not only carries water. It can also carry pollutants.
We have to pay attention to what is going on in the watershed,
and identify potential sources for pollutants that might be
contributing to that watershed. Knowing the potential sources
of pollutants, the different land uses and practices playing
out within a watershed, gives everyone a "heads up"
on what pollutants to watch for. More
What's
in the Water? Water
is amazing! In fact, you can't live without it. Water's special
molecular structure allows it to form bonds with any positively
or negatively charged atom. Water is a universal solvent meaning
it dissolves other substances and transports both good and
bad molecules. So, what's in the water? A lot! More
