Water is seemingly everywhere. You can pass by a local beach on your way to work and see boats sailing on the lake. You can feel it on your skin during a warm, spring rain.
You can turn on the faucet in your kitchen right now to wash a bowl of vegetables or fruit. We drink water, bathe in it, and cook with it. Our easy access to water makes it appear nearly limitless.
Although water comprises 70% of the Earth, only 1% of it is fresh and usable. This 1% of water comes from lakes, rivers, or groundwater. Your water either comes from a public source (water treatment facilities) or from a private source (wells). And this water is the result of Earth’s water cycle.
The Water Cycle
During the water cycle, water moves from one reservoir to another in a continuous motion. The sun heats bodies of water, causing them to evaporate. As it evaporates, it rises higher in the atmosphere, where the cold temperatures cause the water vapor to condense into clouds. Cloud particles bond with one another, condensing the vapor and causing it to fall back into bodies of water as rain, sleet, or snow. The process is then repeated, starting with the sun warming bodies of water and causing evaporation.
Groundwater
About 20% of the world’s fresh water supply comes from groundwater. Rain and snow are collected underground in a “rock pocket” called an aquifer. Soil pore spaces in the ground become saturated with water, and the maximum depth at which this occurs is called the water table. Groundwater rises to the surface as a spring. Groundwater may also be accessed by drilling a well.
Surface Water
Surface water is collected from precipitation and groundwater deposits that reach the surface. in wetlands, oceans, streams, or rivers. Most surface water is not drinkable without treatment, as it comes from the saline ocean.
The Transport of Water
For public health and safety, water is treated before it reaches your faucet. Water treatment involves removing impurities that make water unsafe for human consumption. This water may flow from a surface water source or be pumped from an aquifer.
Public Municipal Water Treatment System
A public municipal water treatment system treats cities and towns and is managed by an elected official. A private water treatment system may treat a household or a small group of homes. Regardless of the water treatment system, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) water quality standards must be followed for any water supply serving more than 25 people.
Chemicals and physical processes are used to filter and disinfect water to remove harmful microorganisms. While water treatment systems filter out many impurities, they don’t necessarily remove those that cause water problems, such as bitter taste, foul odor, or mineral deposits.
Private Wells
Wells are drilled into aquifers to access water. A pump is used to withdraw water. Americans who rely on privately owned wells are responsible for the quality of the water pumped from the well, which means they need their own water treatment systems.
Delivery Systems
There are two main types of water delivery systems: pipes and bottled water. Both deliver drinkable water from the source to your home.
Through Pipes to Your Faucet
Tap water travels from a public municipal water treatment system or private well to your faucet. A series of pipes carries water to your home’s plumbing. If you receive your water from a public municipal water treatment system, it usually arrives at your household via a main line in the distribution system.
Bottled Water
Many bottled water brands are sourced from municipal water systems or natural springs. Bottled water may undergo additional purification, as it is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA).
Not Sure Where to Start?
Visit our water treatment section to see Where Your Water Comes From, learn the Benefits of Quality Water, diagnose your water, and find ways to Solve Your Water Problems.
Ready to Locate a Charger Water Dealer?
Call our toll-free number or submit a request on our “Get in Touch” form, and let us know that you would like to locate a Charger Water Dealer, and we will provide you with a list of dealers in your area. Our representatives will be happy to answer any additional questions you may have.
