Fresh Water
Before reading
precious verdifulle resource ressurs tap kran well brønn limited begrenset supply tilgang piped lagt i rør developing countries utviklingsland communal felles average gjennomsnitts
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Water is sometimes called Earth’s most precious resource. Water regulates the Earth’s temperature and there would be no life without fresh water. All water on Earth is connected. Whether you are turning on a tap in Australia, pulling up water from a well in a village in South Africa or bathing in a river in India, it is the same water. Every plant, every animal, and all 7.9 billion people have to share a very limited supply of the Earth’s available freshwater. Not everyone is lucky enough to have clean running water. In fact, almost half of the people in the world don’t have water piped into their homes. Many people living in developing countries use only 20 litres of water a day. They get their water from communal taps or wells. A large number of the world’s people, usually women and girls, have to walk at least three hours a day to find water, wait in line to get it, and then carry the water home. Here in Norway, we get all the water we need for drinking, cooking, washing dishes and clothes, showering and watering the garden by turning on a tap. The average Norwegian uses about 300 litres a day. People in Australia use almost 500 litres of water in their homes each day. Many people worry about having enough fresh water for the future. That is why it is important to learn about ways to save water.
Where do we get fresh water from?
After reading a How many people on Earth do not have water taps at home? b Why do you think people in Australia use more water than people in Norway?
Talk about it! a How much water would you be able to carry in your hands? How much water could you carry on your head without spilling it? b Make a list of things you can do to save water.
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