How the Cycle Works
You'll find the
hydrological cycle hard at work high in our atmosphere as well as several
kilometres below the earth's surface. The cycle operates through a number
of natural processes scientists called evaporation, transpiration and
precipitation, all of which are driven by the sun.
Evaporation describes the
change from water as a liquid to water as a vapour in the atmosphere. Water evaporated from
ocean surfaces combines with water evaporated from freshwater sources such
as rivers, lakes and streams, where it rises until it cools and forms clouds.
The clouds, in turn,
become saturated and produce precipitation, either as rain, snow, hail or
sleet. 78 percent of this falls back into oceans while
the remaining 22 percent falls back on land.
Where Does Precipitation Go?
When precipitation reaches
the ground, it follows two basic pathways: surface flow and infiltration.
As water soaks into the subsurface through infiltration, it moves through
the pores of the soil until the soil reaches saturation. Once infiltrated,
water continues to filter through soil or rock through vertical movement
called percolation. Percolation results in the movement of water from the
soil layer to groundwater. Underground formations that contain groundwater
are called aquifers.
Once precipitation falls to
the earth as rain or snow and begins its journey to your home, water
starts collecting impurities. And that's when the problems begin. Your
water may exhibit problems such as:
-
Hard water
-
Acid water
-
Iron water
-
Water with bad tastes and
odours
-
Water that's
cloudy/turbidity
-
Water that's contaminated:
bacterial and chemical contaminants
Sources of Water Pollution
The world's oceans and
rivers have never been under more pressure from pollution. Pollution comes
from both man-made and natural sources and can have immediate and obvious
effects or at lower levels can have a possible long term effect which is
often harder to establish and prove.
Examples of water pollution
include:
Acid Rain
As well as killing fish in lakes and destroying forests and stonework,
acid rain from coal or oil combustion and smelting produce selenium, which
can cause liver damage. Spent coal also produces barium, which can
contribute to circulatory defects.
Animal Waste
Human waste from sewage and animal wastes used agriculture can contaminate
water supplies with protozoan cysts such as Cryptosporidia, giardia and
entamoeda which cause gastrointestinal disease.
Herbicides &
Insecticides
Arsenic is just one of several cancer-causing chemicals found in various
herbicides and insecticides.
Chemical & Industrial
Wastes
Cadmium from batteries and paints can cause kidney problems. Arsenic in
industrial wastes can cause skin and nervous system toxicity.
Iron & Mineral Deposits
Iron stains red, forms scale in pipes and increases soap usage. Water
going through shale and limestone leaves tub rings, is hard on pipes and
can smell.
Lawn & Garden Chemicals
Fluoride can cause skeletal and dental damage. Nitrates in drinking water
has been linked with Methemoglobinemia, commonly known as "blue baby
syndrome".
Treated Water
An Eastern Water Treatment
whole house system eliminates the majority of dangerous contaminates and
provides your family or business with a healthy, great tasting source of
water.
Click
here to find out more about our range of water treatment solutions.
Learn more about your water
