One of the greatest challenges we face today is water quality and quantity. Fresh water is a critical need for people and nature to survive.
Freshwater ecosystems include rivers, lakes, wetlands, streams, and underground aquifers. Groundwater helps replenish an aquifer as rain leaches through the soil. Groundwater can be found in the cracks and spaces between soil, sand, and rocks beneath the Earth’s surface.
The water cycle is like Earth’s own recycling system. It ensures that water is constantly moving between the atmosphere, oceans, rivers, and land, helping distribute it across the planet. The water is constantly cycling, and the sun generates the process of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. Water is stored in the atmosphere, on the land surface, and below the ground.
Human activities impact the water cycle. We cause disruption affecting where water eventually becomes stored, how it moves, and how clean it might be. The water we use for everyday household use, industrial activities, or agricultural comes from groundwater. Most groundwater, including a significant amount of our drinking water, comes from aquifers. Accessing this water may include wells that are manufactured points of discharge, and this water may also discharge naturally at springs and in wetlands.
How much water is on Earth? Nasa.gov states that the Earth holds about 326 million trillion gallons of water. With this ginormous amount, you would think that we have plenty of water supply. We must remember that most of Earth is salt water in oceans representing about 97% of Earth’s water. Therefore, most of our potential freshwater supply is comprised of glaciers, groundwater, rivers, and lakes and only represents approximately 4% of all the water on Earth.
The amount of Earth’s total fresh water is miniscule compared to the overall size of the Earth. All fresh water on Earth represents approximately 332 million cubic miles. The Earth’s total volume is 260 billion cubic miles. So, when comparing these two data points, the total water available on Earth is quite small.
The water supply and quality of our drinking water remains one of the top environmental issues today. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) states the following: “Florida’s current fresh water supply is projected to be unable to meet all of the growing needs of Floridians in the future.”. The increasing demand for water, coupled with pollution poses significant challenges to maintaining a clean and sufficient water supply.
Regulations and permits like the Florida Construction Generic Permit (FCGP) play a crucial role in managing and mitigating water pollution. By setting standards and guidelines for construction activities, it helps control the discharge of pollutants into water bodies, contributing to cleaner drinking water.
KCI can implement, monitor, and manage cost saving environmental best management practices to prevent hazardous conditions from stormwater exposure. Call us today on 888-346-7779.