Drop In The Bucket Lesson Plan (Page 2 of 3) in pdf

Background. Water covers 3/4 of Earth's total surface but less than half of one percent

is available fresh water. An estimated 97% is seawater, another 2% is locked in polar

icecaps and glaciers, and the rest of the unavailable water is trapped deep below the

earth's surface.

Available fresh water comes from many sources: rivers, streams, and lakes;

groundwater - aquifers; collected rainwater; and purified seawater.

Discussion:

Why does more than one-third of the world's population not have access to clean

water? Discuss global distribution of water.

Investigate the factors affecting water distribution on Earth (land forms, vegetation,

proximity to large areas of water, role of oceans, etc). Have class work in small

groups and report back to share their findings.

Explore other environmental and natural influences on the availability of water

(droughts, floods, pollution, etc). Research current events, conditions and activities

affecting the availability of water, - locally, and elsewhere in the world.

Discuss long term events, activities and behaviors which will reduce the amount of

fresh, potable water available for human consumption. Consider at a local and global

scale. Consider other users of water, apart from humans.

Action. Can you identify our town’s major water supply (aqueduct, reservoir, dam,

river)? How many gallons per day does the population need? What is the town's major

industry and how does it use water? Does Carson City/ Reno have an emergency water

supply in case of a drought or well contamination?

Use the Water Availability table to calculate the actual amount of fresh water available

per person.

Water Availability Table:

Quantity to be divided among people on Earth

Amount Available

% of total

litres per person

water

All the water on Earth

222 billion

100%

Only the fresh water(calculate 3% of the amount available

Only the non-frozen fresh water(calculate 20% of the

0.6%

remaining amount available)

Available fresh water that is not polluted, trapped in soil,

0.003%

too far below the ground, etc.(calculate 0.5% of the

remaining amount available)

Is this enough? Devise a means to estimate how much water you use per year.

Compare the estimate to the calculation above. What do you conclude?

List the other uses of water that affect you, but are not a direct result of your actions.

Does this alter your conclusion? Why?

Drop In The Bucket Lesson Plan Page 2

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