topic 10 - using resources (7. potable water) Flashcards
what is potable water
treated water
naturally safe water for humans to drink
is potable water pure
no is can contain lots of other dissolved substances
factors impacting how potable water is produced in a specific place
climate
landscape
cost
what is fresh water
water that doesn’t have much dissolved in it
water in the UK is mostly
fresh water
how to treat fresh water
filteration - wire mesh removes large twigs and gravel
sterilization - kills any harmful bacteria or microbes
what do some dry countries do to get water if fresh isn’t an option
treat sea water by desalination to provide potable water
what methods can you use for the desalination of water
distillation or reverse osmosis
what happens during reverse osmosis
salty water passed through a membrane that only allows water molecules to pass through
why aren’t distillation or reverse osmosis commonly used
very expensive