So, where does all that water come from?
Well, all water falls to the earth as precipitation (rain, snow, sleet or hail). Some of the water ends up in ponds, streams and reservoirs (lakes that store water) and some will travel beneath the surface into the ground for storage. These groundwater storage areas are known as aquifers. Approximately 90% of the water we use in Kansas is pumped from aquifers.
Now, what part of the state do you live in? The western half of the state uses mostly groundwater like in aquifers, while the eastern half uses predominantly surface water. This is because of the differences in climate across the state. Have you noticed there are way more lakes and rivers in the eastern portion of the state?
Water is an incredibly important part of our daily lives and we use it for a wide variety of purposes. However, the earth only has a limited amount. Each year, Kansans use enough water to fill 60 million swimming pools!
What are some changes you can make right now to your daily routine to conserve water?
Download activity sheets below:
