Science · Year 7 · Water as a Resource · Term 3

Water Sources and Distribution

Students will investigate different sources of fresh water and how it is distributed globally and locally.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9S7U07

About This Topic

Water Management focuses on how humans intervene in the water cycle to ensure a reliable supply for drinking, agriculture, and industry. Students explore the infrastructure of dams, pipes, and treatment plants, as well as modern innovations like desalination and recycled water. This topic is highly relevant to the Australian Curriculum's emphasis on sustainability and the challenges of living in a water-scarce environment.

Students also look at the historical and cultural aspects of water management, including the sophisticated ways First Nations Australians managed water through weirs, wells, and knowledge of 'living water' in the desert. This topic is ideal for role-plays and debates where students must balance the competing needs of different stakeholders in a community, such as farmers, city residents, and the environment.

Key Questions

1. Differentiate between surface water and groundwater sources.
2. Analyze the factors that influence the uneven distribution of fresh water across the globe.
3. Evaluate the challenges of providing clean water to remote communities.

Learning Objectives

• Classify fresh water sources as either surface water or groundwater, providing at least two examples for each.
• Analyze the geographical, climatic, and human factors that contribute to the uneven distribution of freshwater resources globally.
• Compare and contrast the water distribution challenges faced by urban centers versus remote communities in Australia.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of different water management strategies in ensuring clean water access for diverse populations.

Before You Start

The Water Cycle

Why: Understanding the fundamental processes of the water cycle, including precipitation and evaporation, is essential for comprehending water sources and distribution.

Earth's Systems and Features

Why: Knowledge of basic geological features like rock layers and soil types helps students understand how groundwater is stored and accessed.

Key Vocabulary

Surface water	Water found on the Earth's surface, including rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and oceans. It is readily accessible but can be more susceptible to pollution.
Groundwater	Water held underground in the soil or in pores and crevices in rock. It is often accessed through wells and aquifers and is a significant source of freshwater.
Aquifer	An underground layer of permeable rock, sediment, or soil that holds and transmits groundwater. Aquifers are crucial sources for wells and springs.
Water table	The upper level of an underground surface in which the soil or rocks are permanently saturated with water. Its depth can fluctuate with rainfall and extraction.
Artesian well	A well where groundwater from a confined aquifer rises to the surface without being pumped, due to natural pressure.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

We can just make more water if we run out.

What to Teach Instead

Students often think we can 'create' water chemically. While we can desalinate seawater, it is expensive and energy-intensive. A class discussion on the 'cost' of water (energy, money, environment) helps them see that conservation is the most efficient 'source' of water.

Common Misconception

Recycled water is 'dirty' or 'toilet water'.

What to Teach Instead

There is often a 'yuck factor' with recycled water. Showing a diagram of the multi-stage purification process (which often makes the water cleaner than what comes out of a dam) helps students understand the science of water purity and overcome this bias.

Active Learning Ideas

Role Play: The Great Water Debate

The class is divided into stakeholders (farmers, town mayor, environmentalist, traditional owner). They must negotiate how to share a limited supply of water from a local river during a drought year, following specific 'needs' cards.

50 min·Whole Class

Inquiry Circle: School Water Audit

Groups walk around the school to identify where water is used (taps, bubblers, gardens) and where it might be wasted (leaks, runoff). They create a 'Water Saving Action Plan' to present to the school principal.

45 min·Small Groups

Stations Rotation: Water Treatment Tech

Set up stations showing different treatment steps: a simple sand filter, a 'UV' light (torch) station, and a pH testing station. Students learn how each step makes water safer for different uses.

40 min·Small Groups

Real-World Connections

• Towns in Western Australia, such as Kalgoorlie, rely heavily on groundwater from the Great Artesian Basin for their water supply due to limited surface water availability.
• The challenges of delivering potable water to remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory often involve complex infrastructure projects and innovative solutions like solar-powered desalination plants.
• Farmers in the Murray-Darling Basin must balance their water needs for irrigation with environmental flows, demonstrating the critical importance of managing surface water and groundwater resources sustainably.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

Present students with a map of Australia showing various water bodies and underground geological formations. Ask them to label three examples of surface water sources and two potential groundwater locations, explaining their reasoning for each.

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Why do some regions have abundant freshwater while others face scarcity?' Facilitate a class discussion where students identify and explain at least three contributing factors, such as rainfall patterns, geological formations, and population density.

Exit Ticket

Students write a short paragraph comparing the advantages and disadvantages of using surface water versus groundwater as a primary water source for a community. They should include at least one specific example of each.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does Australia's drinking water come from?

It depends on where you live! Most Australian cities rely on large dams (surface water). However, we also use groundwater from aquifers, and many coastal cities now have desalination plants that turn seawater into drinking water during droughts. Some regional towns also use highly treated recycled water.

How did Indigenous Australians find water in dry areas?

First Nations peoples have a deep knowledge of the landscape. They used 'soaks' (digging in dry creek beds), protected rock holes from evaporation with stone lids, and followed the flight paths of birds like the zebra finch. This knowledge was passed down through stories and songlines for generations.

How can active learning help students understand water management?

Water management is as much about people as it is about science. Active learning strategies like role-plays force students to realize that there are no easy answers. When they have to 'argue' for a farmer's livelihood versus a river's health, they develop a much more sophisticated understanding of sustainability and resource management.

What is 'greywater' and can we use it?

Greywater is wastewater from baths, showers, and washing machines (not toilets). In many parts of Australia, it's encouraged to use greywater to water gardens, as long as you use 'garden-friendly' detergents. It's a great way to reduce the demand on our precious drinking water supplies.

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