The concept of the hydrologic cycle is, perhaps, known by everyone over the age of eight. The fact that the three states of H2O, i.e., the solid (an ice cube), the liquid (water) and the gaseous ones (vapor) can be observed daily in the everyday environment makes the hydrologic cycle concept even more intelligible. However, a misunderstanding of the nature of the hydrogen cycle may lead to major misconceptions. The inability to understand the importance of preserving drinking water is one of these misconceptions.
True, the surface of the Earth is about 70% water, which is, in fact, a renewable resource – it does not disappear, but shift from one state of aggregation to another. Nevertheless, the amount of drinking water is shrinking slowly due to the excessive use of tap water. According to recent research, even a dripping tap may lead to wasting around 20,000 liters of water annually (Lutgens and Tarbuck “Geologic Time” 288).
The key to understanding the problem is learning that the amount of water will remain the same, yet drinking water will shrink. In other words, the percentage of drinking water will be reduced. With the current rates of drinking water consumption, the moment when the entire amount of water will become unsuitable for drinking. Though this prognosis is rather sad, it can be averted with more careful and reasonable use of water. As soon as the rates of drinking water usage are brought down, the solution for the problem will be found (Lutgens and Tarbuck “Geologic Time” 291).
Works Cited
Lutgens, Frederick K. and Edward J.Tarbuck. “Geologic Time.” Foundations of Earth Science (7th Edition). Prentice Hall. 2014. 285–310. Print.
—. “Volcanoes and Other Igneous Activity.” Foundations of Earth Science (7th Edition). Prentice Hall. 2014. 243–284. Print.