WRITING 5

A MAGAZINE ARTICLE

FROM: CATALUNYA VANGUARDISTA  MAGAZINE

WATER, NOW A LIMITED AND NONRENEWABLE RESOURCE

The water was known as a renewable resource and infinite and thought it would last a lifetime. But we were wrong. Because of the abuse and overexploitation, water has become a non-renewable and limited resource.

Water is a component of the environment that allows the development of life on the planet

Water makes up 70% of the planet, from this percentage the 97% is salt water that is not suitable to human life, 3% of freshwater but 2% is frozen water leaving just 1% to human consume and this percentage is drinking water and from this 1%, the most of water is wasted.

From this 1% of water is use for:

Supply for manufacturing, food processing, industrial refrigeration, waste disposal.

For agriculture, including livestock and irrigation

To generate electricity.

Water is also use for recreation in pools, fountains, ponds, landscape irrigation, vehicle cleaning and others.

Causes of water shortage

Increasing urbanization

Deforestation from areas for which previously leaked large amounts of water

Water misdistribution

Failure to protect the aquifers

To have water available we must

* Maintain a rational use of water, meeting the requirements for quality, quantity and distribution.

* Protect aquifers, wetlands and other water reservoirs.

* Control and reduce pollution sources.

* Don’t leave the tap running

* Don’t use water as a game