Did you know?
- 30% of fresh water is in the ground.
- Approximately 400 billion gallons of water are used in the United States per day.
- In one year, the average American residence uses over 100,000 gallons (indoors and outside).
- About 6,800 gallons of water is required to grow a day’s food for a family of four.
- A person can live about a month without food, but only about a week without water.
- Americans drink more than one billion glasses of tap water per day.
- It takes about 70 gallons of water to fill a bathtub.
- In some countries, less than half the population has access to clean water.
- Water regulates the Earth’s temperature.
Water Treatment
Water treatment is any process that improves the quality of water to make it more acceptable for use. The end use may be drinking, industrial water supply, irrigation, river flow maintenance, water recreation or safely returning used water to the environment.
Water treatment is important because the availability of fresh water is limited on earth and the demand is high.
Do you know how drinking water gets to your home?
Water treatment refers to the treatment of water from lakes, rivers, and reservoirs (fresh water sources) before it gets to our taps. Water treatment is done to water before it is sent to a community. Water treatment has higher standards for pollution control because it is assumed that any drop of distributed water could be consumed by a person.
Wastewater treatment is done to water after it has been used by a community. Once treated, it is sent back into the environment. Unlike water treatment, wastewater treatment isn't always done at just one facility. Certain industries with very polluted wastewater are required to have their own form of treatment before sending it to the community wastewater treatment facilities.
Careers
Where does the clean water flowing out of your kitchen faucet come from? It was pumped from a lake or other natural source to a water-treatment plant. After you use the water, it goes to a wastewater treatment plant. At both facilities, water professionals control processes and equipment that remove pollutants from the water.
Sample Water Careers
Think about it
Are you for or against desalination? Communicate your argument to a friend or family member.
Explore the K12 Career Education Navigator
The K12 Career Technical Education (CTE) Navigator helps you explore high school courses and career pathways offered across San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Browse by industry sector, county, school district, and more to find options that match your interests and career goals and see how these pathways can prepare you for college, certifications, apprenticeships, or the workforce.
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