Water is vital for all of us. We depend on it for drinking, washing, recreation, agriculture and industry. Water controls the world's weather and sustains the natural systems above and below the earth's surface. But did you know that it is the water beneath our feet - something you can't see and may not even know is there - that is truly our hidden treasure!
Some Water Facts
Where does water come from?
Water spends time in the ocean, in the air, on the Earth's surface, and under it as groundwater. This water circulates endlessly in a kind of global plumbing system called the hydrologic cycle or water cycle.
Global plumbing!
The water cycle is controlled by the sun, which produces the heat energy that determines the way the earth uses and recycles its water. This heat energy evaporates water in the oceans, lakes and even backyard pools. When water evaporates, it rises into the cooler air, collects, and forms clouds. Eventually, the water droplets that form the clouds fall from the sky as rain, snow, sleet, or hail. When water falls to the ground, it doesn't stop moving. Some flows across the earth's surface into bodies of water like rivers and lakes. Other water seeps into the soil where it makes its way to becoming groundwater, and then may slowly flow into rivers and lakes, or back into the sea. Then the cycle starts all over again! More about the water cycle is available from this CSIRO website.
If you have an interest in hydrology this page introduces you to a Hydrogeologist and includes a video about his work. The links from this page have lots of information for students.