Potable water

High school (ages 12+)
Environment & Earth

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/potable-water

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the primary water sources?Surface water (rivers, lakes), groundwater (aquifers), and desalinated seawater
2. What is the major treatment processes?Coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration (sand, activated carbon), and disinfection (chlorination, UV, ozonation)
3. Why did ancient Romans build aqueducts?The Romans built aqueducts to bring water from far away to their cities. They focused on moving a lot of water, but did not worry much about germs.
4. How is water cleaned to make it safe?Water is cleaned in stages: first big debris is screened out, then chemicals make tiny particles clump together, heavier clumps settle, sand and gravel filter out the rest, and finally disinfectants like chlorine or UV kill any remaining germs.

Pathogens: Microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses, that can cause disease.
Aquifer Depletion: The excessive withdrawal of groundwater from an aquifer, leading to a drop in the water table.
Brine: Highly concentrated saltwater produced as a byproduct of desalination, requiring careful disposal.