CGS NS 202 Lecture 8: Water Resources
16 Feb 2017
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Document Summary
Human intake of water second only to need for oxygen. Deprivation of water results in death within a few days. Water comprises 65% of adult human body. Essential for digestion, nutrient transport, waste removal. 1-3 liters required daily to maintain bodily functions. 50 liters minimum per day required for drinking, food preparation, cooking, dish washing, and bathing. Industrialized countries average daily water consumption ranges from 200-400 liters per person per day. Evaporation transport (condensation) rain (precipitation) runoff repeat. 40% of the world"s people in water stressed regions. Prospect of dwindling water supply from climate change. Explosive growth of human populations will account for increased water demand in the future. Pollution further reduces usable water supply urban poor in developing countries lack basic sanitation. Human health directly threatened by impure drinking water through microbial waterborne diseases: epidemics took heavy tolls of human population worldwide prior to late 19th century, worldwide, 5,500 people die daily due to fecal contamination of drinking water.
