All The Water In The World (PHOTO)
What would it look like if all of Earth's water was brought together in a single sphere? It might be smaller than you would imagine. The image above, from the USGS, shows all the world's water -- from bodies of water, glaciers, soil, water vapor and even living things -- in a sphere with a diameter of 860 miles. The USGS explains that the sphere only appears small in relation to the entire Earth -- the diameter of the sphere is a bit larger than the distance between Salt Lake City and Topeka, Kansas. They notes that, according to one estimate, nearly 97 percent of Earth's water can be found in oceans, seas and bays while less than one percent can be found as freshwater in lakes, rivers or the ground. British researchers recently mapped the quantity and potential yield of all of Africa's groundwater, which may help improve access to clean water for the continent's residents. Even the U.S. is not immune from water shortages. Also on HuffPost:
CDC - Global Sanitation and Hygiene Related Diseases and Contaminants - Healthy Water
Waterborne Diseases Waterborne diseases are caused by pathogenic microbes that can be directly spread through contaminated water. Most waterborne diseases cause diarrheal illness [Note: not all diseases listed below cause diarrhea]. Eighty-eight percent of diarrhea cases worldwide are linked to unsafe water, inadequate sanitation or insufficient hygiene 1. These cases result in 1.5 million deaths each year, mostly in young children 1. The usual cause of death is dehydration. For more information about specific waterborne diseases, please visit: Amebiasis (CDC) Buruli Ulcer* (CDC, WHO ) Campylobacter (CDC, WHO ) Cholera (CDC, WHO ) Cryptosporidiosis (CDC) Cyclosporiasis (CDC) Dracunculiasis (guinea-worm disease) (CDC, Carter Center ) Escherichia coli (CDC, WHO ) Fascioliasis (CDC, WHO ) Giardiasis (CDC) Hepatitis (CDC, WHO ) Leptospirosis (CDC, WHO ) Norovirus (CDC) Rotavirus (CDC, WHO ) Salmonella (CDC, WHO ) Schistosomiasis (CDC, WHO ) Shigellosis (CDC, WHO ) Typhoid Fever (CDC, WHO Top of Page
Oceans Alive! | The Water Planet
If you look down at our planet from outer space, most of what you see is water; 71% of the planet's surface is covered by ocean and it is because of this that the Earth is sometimes called "the water planet". Only about three-tenths of our globe is covered with land. The ocean wraps the globe and is divided into four major regions: the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean and the Arctic Ocean. Some scientists consider the waters around Antarctica to be a separate, fifth ocean as well. Begin your exploration here looking at the sea:
Let it run
Rainwater tanks - WSUD
How rainwater tanks work Rainwater tanks collect stormwater run-off from impervious surfaces such as roofs, reducing the amount that enters our waterways. They are fitted with an overflow mechanism, meaning that once a tank is full the excess water is redirected into the stormwater drainage system. Rainwater tanks that are only used for watering gardens are much less efficient than tanks used for flushing toilets. Advantages and limitations Advantages of rainwater tanks are that they: minimise water usage when used in the toilet, laundry or gardenreduce strain on the stormwater drainage systemretain water close to sourcereduce site run-off and flood peaks Limitations of rainwater tanks are that they only provide benefits when the tank water is used frequently, creating space to capture more water each time it rains. Tips and advice You can maximise the amount of water your rainwater tank captures by properly designing your roof, downpipes and tank location.
Where is Earth's water? USGS Water-Science School
The USGS Water Science School "Water, Water, Everywhere...."You've heard the phrase, and for water, it really is true. Earth's water is (almost) everywhere: above the Earth in the air and clouds, on the surface of the Earth in rivers, oceans, ice, plants, in living organisms, and inside the Earth in the top few miles of the ground. Below are two representations of where Earth's water resides. The globe image represents how much actual water exists, compared to the total size of the Earth. Distribution of Earth's Water In the first bar, notice how only 2.5% of Earth's water is freshwater - the amount needed for life to survive. View a larger version of this image and learn more. All of the World's Water Earth's freshwater
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Water, sanitation and hygiene initiatives
Overview Australia works with a range of partner governments, non government organisations, the private sector and multilateral organisations to improve access to clean water, basic sanitation and improved hygiene behaviours in urban, peri-urban and rural areas, including through the initiatives described below. Civil Society, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Fund $103.3 million (estimated), 2011/12-2017/18 The Australian Civil Society WASH Fund supports thirteen civil society organisations (CSOs) to deliver WASH programs in the Pacific, Asia and Africa to 2018. The objective of the WASH Fund is to enhance the health and quality of life of the poor and vulnerable by improving sustainable access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene. * Thrive Networks’ project in Laos runs from 1 May 2014 to 30 June 2018. The CS WASH Fund website provides additional information on the Fund. Water and Sanitation Initiative Global Program Up to $67 million (estimated), 2011/12-2016/17 Related links
Victoria Falls
Water use data
How Melbourne’s water is used In 2014/15 Melbourne’s total water use was 401 gigalitres. Additional water use data is available: Weekly water update Water outlook Each year we collaborate with the water retailers to produce the Water Outlook. Water Outlook - December 2015 (PDF, 472.75 KB) This outlook includes information on water storages, water use and short-to medium-term management of Melbourne's water resources. System performance is reported in three zones: High – Melbourne's water supply is secureMedium – we need to take action to secure water suppliesLow – emergency circumstances requiring a wider range of actions to secure Melbourne's water supply, including more severe water restrictions Find more information on permanent water use rules.
