First Children's Encyclopedia by Dorling Kindersley - page 263

261
Groundwater
In the water cycle, some
water seeps underground,
where it collects in rocks
and sometimes forms
pools in caves. Some
groundwater is pumped
up and used for drinking
or irrigation.
Damp ground
Wetlands form on land in areas where fresh water
does not drain away. They provide a home for many
water-loving plants, birds, animals, and fish.
Drought
When very little
rain falls, experts
call this a drought.
Droughts do not
occur only in
deserts – any area
that gets much less
rain than usual is
said to be suffering
from drought.
Using water
Fresh water is
trapped in reservoirs
and then piped to
homes, businesses,
and farms. When
you turn on a
tap, the water
that comes out
has been on a
long journey!
Hydroelectricity.
Flush the toilet
only when
necessary. Some toilets
have two flush controls.
Don’t run the dishwasher
when it’s half empty
– wait until it’s full.
Take a shower
instead
of a bath. Showering uses
much less water.
Turn off taps
when you
finish brushing your teeth
or washing.
Saving water
There is a limited amount
of fresh water on Earth.
If we want to make sure
there’s enough to go
around, it’s important
that everyone uses less.
The water cycle
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