NCWR

About NCWR

Water resources

In a nutshell

Time for inquiry and field work to “discover” the  water resources of our area.

Our objectives

In this activity you will:

  • Learn about the “traditional” water resources as well as the “non-conventional” ones.
  • Organise a field visit to map the water resources of your area.

Things to use

A map of your region, notebook and pencils, camera or mobile phone (to take pictures/video)

Play & learn

Can you recognize the water sounds below? Drag-and-drop the sounds to the resources

A: water resource

B: sound

  • 1 Stream 1
  • 2 Rain 2
  • 3 Sea waves 3
  • 4 Walking on the snow 4
  • 5 Water drop 5
  • 1 1
  • 2 2
  • 3 3
  • 4 4
  • 5 5

Water-readings

The conventional water resources

We use the term “water resource” to describe any natural source of freshwater that is, or can be used by humans. Surface waters such as lakes, rivers, wetlands, streams, etc. are the water resources we can immediately identify. Also the groundwater located below the earth’s surface at a depth varying from a few meters to several hundredths of meters is an important water resource. Groundwater often find its way out to the surface by spilling from natural springs, mainly in the mountains. Since the ancient times people have tried to access groundwater by digging wells, and recently boreholes. Rain and all types of are important water resources that enrich both surface and underground waters.

Stop and wonder

GROUP DISCUSSION


  • Brainstorm with your classmates what the term “non-conventional water resources” might be.
  • Where does this water come from?

To give you a hint these resources include man-made infrastructures for collecting and treating to produce freshwater.

Water-readings

The Non-Conventional Water Resources (NCWR)

Let’s see what the NCWR are:

  • Rainwater harvesting: This is a century-old practice in many arid areas such as the Mediterranean islands and the coastal settlements.
  • Greywater recycling: Water from the bathtub, the washbasin and the washing machine (this is “greywater”) after its proper treatment can be used, e.g. in flushing the toilets and watering the urban green.
  • Wastewater recycling: Wastewater coming from households and other buildings (black water) can be treated and reused under certain conditions  i.e. in irrigation.
  • Desalination of sea or brackish water: Though this method is relatively costly in terms of energy and has a high carbon footprint, it is indispensable for several dry islands and countries of the Mediterranean and beyond.

Nowadays, the non-conventional water resources are increasingly becoming an additional contributor to water availability.

GROUP Discussion


  • Which of the above NCWR is possible to have in your school?
  • Which of the above NCWR is possible to have in your home?

Play & Learn

Based on what you have read so far, which of the following is a non-conventional water resource?

Right!

This is a natural freshwater resource.

This is a natural freshwater resource.

Right!

Right!

Group activity

Let’s discover the water resources of our area

  1. Observe the geophysical map of your area (printed or e-form).
  2. Pin on the map the water resources or man-made hydraulic works you would like to visit. Such water-spots can be: streams & river banks, springs, wetlands, reservoirs/dams, public taps and fountains, desalination plants etc.
  3. Chart the path you will follow on the map and organize your field work. Don’t forget to fill in the worksheet.
  4. What signs of human activities (if any) do you observe around the water-spots, e.g. are there any crops, handicrafts, factories, roads, hotels, etc.?
  5. For each water resource that you identify, ask how its water is used. Do you detect any problem of pollution or depletion?
  6. Take pictures of the water resources, the landscape, etc.
  7. Back in class, work in groups to make your own “water map” presenting your findings.

Water shares

Take a photo of your water map and send it to us: info@medies.net

Thank you!


Water meter

I liked this activity . . .

Way forward

Dive in…

Climate change challenges if you want to do see how climate change affects water resources

The water cycle if you want to find out more about the hydrological cycle

Go back to the homepage!

Water works through time

Water in the city

The water basins

Desalination

Greywater recycling in practice

Do you know about grey water?

Wastewater treatment

Rainwater Harvesting Systems in practice

Rainwater harvesting

Reduce-Reuse-Recycle

Acting for Climate

Climate change: Why should I care?

Water resources

The water cycle

Where do I begin?

Water works through time

Let's discover the story behind the old fountains, cisterns and aqueducts of our town!

Continue!

Water in the city

What is the "urban water cycle"? Which are the important aspects of water management within a city environment?

Continue!

The water basins

In this activity we learn what a water drainage basin is and why it is important for the experts to study it.

Continue!

Desalination

Let's find out how sea and brackish water can become a freshwater resource!

Continue!

Greywater recycling in practice

How a greywater system is installed? Let's find out!

Continue!

Do you know about grey water?

Let's find out what "greywater” is and how we can use it!

Continue!

Wastewater treatment

In this activity we learn about how wastewater is treated and what we can do with the treated water.

Continue!

Rainwater Harvesting Systems in practice

What are the various types of rainwater harvesting systems? Let's find out more about them!

Continue!

Rainwater harvesting

Can we collect rainwater? And how do we use it? Let's find out!

Continue!

Reduce-Reuse-Recycle

What is our water footprint and how can we reduce it?

Continue!

Acting for Climate

What are the main sectors contributing to climate change? What are countries doing to address it? What can we do for climate collectively at school and at community level?

Continue!

Climate change: Why should I care?

We discuss the greenhouse effect and the greenhouse gases, how climate change is linked to our lifestyles and ways we can cope with it on a personal level.

Continue!

Water resources

Lt's discover the water resources of our region.

Continue!

The water cycle

Let's travel within the water cycle!

Continue!

Where do I begin?

Let's see why it is important to know about water in our region.

Continue!