Grade 5 Chapter 16: Water

Topics covered: Importance of water, Sources of water, Water storage, Water pollution, Water conservation, Water management.

Importance of Water

Can you tell?

• Why do we need water?
• What are the different uses of water in our daily life?
• Where do animals and plants get water from?

Water is essential for all living things. Without water, life on Earth is not possible. We need water for drinking, cooking, bathing, washing clothes, and many other daily activities. Farmers need water for their crops, and industries need water for production. Animals and plants also depend on water for their survival.

[Note: Students should refer to the image showing various uses of water on page 77 of their textbook.]

Think about it:

1. What would happen if there was no water for a day?
2. Why is it important to drink clean water?

Sources of Water

Let’s try this (Activity):

1. Make a list of all the sources of water you know in your area (e.g., well, river, tap).
2. Discuss with your family where the tap water in your home comes from.

The main source of water on Earth is rain. Rainwater collects in various places, forming different sources of water:

• Rivers: Many rivers originate in mountains and flow through plains, providing water to many regions.
• Lakes and Ponds: These are natural depressions where rainwater collects.
• Wells and Borewells: Water that seeps into the ground collects as groundwater. We dig wells or borewells to bring this water to the surface.
• Springs: In some places, groundwater comes out naturally from the ground as springs.
• Oceans and Seas: These are vast bodies of salty water. While they hold most of the Earth's water, it is not directly usable for drinking or farming due to its saltiness.

[Note: Students should refer to the images showing different sources of water on page 78 of their textbook.]

Use your brain power!

1. Why is rainwater considered the purest form of natural water?

   Answer: Because it is formed through evaporation and condensation, leaving impurities behind.

2. How do dams help in providing water to cities and farms?

   Answer: Dams store large amounts of river water, which can then be supplied through canals to cities for drinking and to farms for irrigation.

Always remember: All fresh water on Earth ultimately comes from rain.

Water Storage

Can you recall?

• How do you store water at home?
• What are some traditional ways people stored water in your village/city?

Since rain does not fall throughout the year, we need to store water for use during dry seasons. People have developed various ways to store water:

• Dams and Reservoirs: Large walls built across rivers to store vast amounts of water.
• Tanks and Ponds: Smaller structures or natural depressions used to collect and store rainwater.
• Wells: Dug to access groundwater.
• Rainwater Harvesting: Collecting rainwater from rooftops and storing it in tanks or allowing it to seep into the ground to recharge groundwater.

[Note: Students should refer to the images showing different water storage methods on page 79 of their textbook.]

Think about it:

1. Why is it important to store water, especially in places where rainfall is seasonal?
2. How does rainwater harvesting help in conserving water?

Water Pollution

Let’s try this (Activity):

1. Collect samples of water from different places (e.g., tap water, pond water, water from a drain).
2. Observe their color, smell, and if they contain any particles. (Do not taste them!)

When harmful substances are added to water, it becomes polluted water. Polluted water is unsafe for drinking, bathing, and even for plants and animals. It can cause many diseases. Common causes of water pollution are:

• Throwing garbage and waste into rivers and lakes.
• Dumping industrial waste and sewage directly into water bodies.
• Washing clothes and bathing animals in rivers and ponds.
• Using too many chemical fertilizers and pesticides in farming, which can get washed into water bodies.

[Note: Students should refer to the image showing water pollution on page 80 of their textbook.]

Use your brain power!

1. What are the ill effects of drinking polluted water?

   Answer: It can cause diseases like cholera, typhoid, and dysentery.

2. How does water pollution affect aquatic animals and plants?

   Answer: It can harm or kill them, disrupting the balance of the ecosystem.

Water Conservation and Management

What’s the solution?

There is a severe shortage of water in your area. People are getting very little water for their daily needs. What steps can you take to solve this problem?

Water is a precious resource, and its availability is limited. We must use water wisely and prevent its wastage. This is called water conservation. Water management involves planning and controlling how water is used to ensure there is enough for everyone.

Ways to conserve and manage water:

• Do not waste water: Close taps tightly, take shorter showers, use a bucket for bathing instead of a shower.
• Repair leaky taps: A dripping tap can waste a lot of water.
• Reuse water: Use water used for washing vegetables to water plants.
• Rainwater harvesting: Collect rainwater to recharge groundwater or for direct use.
• Avoid water pollution: Do not throw garbage or harmful substances into water bodies.
• Community participation: Everyone should work together to conserve and manage water resources.

[Note: Students should refer to the image showing water conservation on page 81 of their textbook.]

Always remember: 'Water is life.' We must use every drop of water carefully.

What We Have Learnt

• Water is essential for all living things.
• The main source of water is rain.
• Water collects in rivers, lakes, ponds, and as groundwater.
• We store water in dams, reservoirs, tanks, and through rainwater harvesting.
• Water pollution is caused by adding harmful substances to water bodies.
• We must conserve water and manage it wisely to ensure its availability for all.

Exercises

1. Fill in the blanks.
   1. Water is essential for all __________.
   2. The main source of water on Earth is __________.
   3. Water that seeps into the ground collects as __________.
   4. When harmful substances are added to water, it becomes __________.
2. Answer the following questions.
   1. Why is water important for living things?
   2. List any three sources of water.
   3. What are two ways to store water?
   4. What are two causes of water pollution?
   5. How can we conserve water at home?
3. Match the following:

   Column A	Column B
   1. River	a. Underground water
   2. Well	b. Main source of water
   3. Rain	c. Natural flow of water

Activities

1. Draw a poster on 'Save Water'.
2. Visit a dam or a large reservoir (if possible) and learn how water is managed there.
3. Keep a record of how much water your family uses in a day and discuss ways to reduce consumption.