Water is a precious resource to all life on earth, yet only 1% of the fresh water on earth is available to us in lakes, rivers and streams; the rest is frozen in the polar ice caps. The need to conserve our fresh water is greater now than ever before, and an understanding of how this precious natural resource is renewed and cycles through the environment is critical to the survival of our way of life. We drink the water, prepare our food with it, fish from it, swim in it and allow our children to play in it. Without clean water, our standard of living would plummet, as disease would run rampant, dehydration would plague millions, and many crops which depend on water free of contaminants would wither and die.
Even naturally occurring contaminants pose a threat not only to us but to the environment as well. Such compounds as nitrates and sulfates, carbon dioxide, and the acid/base balance can cause algal blooms to flourish, reducing available oxygen in the water for fish and other wildlife. They can make the water uninhabitable for animals and aquatic plants, and can affect the kinds of flora and fauna which can inhabit the region for literally miles around. Measuring and controlling the levels of contaminants and solutes in our water supply can help ensure that the kinds of wildlife we want near our homes will remain healthy and ever present, as well as ensuring that the water is safe for our uses as well.
