The water cycle - how
water moves through the environment.
The
water cycle moves water through the environment.
Water falling as rain or snow
will either:
*evaporate.
*be used by plants and soil
life in the upper soil layer.
*soak into the ground where
it can become groundwater.
*travel over the land surface - called
runoff - where it can end up in ponds, streams, wetlands
and the ocean.
Groundwater and surface water
are inter-connected, pollution to one resource can affect
the other resource.
As rain and snowmelt travel over
the land surface and soak down into the ground, it can carry
naturally occuring and man-made pollutants to surface and
ground water resources.
Pollutants can travel in runoff
where they are deposited into surface water bodies, or they
can leach (percolate through the soil) into groundwater.
This is called non-point source
pollution or pollution that occurs over widespread areas
of the landscape.
Livestock manure and activities
are possible sources of water pollution - it depends on
how they are managed.
Surface runoff and standing water
within horse excercise yards.
This water
can pick up and carry pollutants associated with manure and other livestock
activities. We must also consider whether groundwater is near the surface.
In addition to water quality concerns,
this site may also increase animal health risks.
Photo courtesy of the University
of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension
Consider this:
Where is the nearest drinking water well?
Where is the nearest pond, stream or wetland?
Where does the water from this site travel?
How high is the water table?
Take a walk when it is raining or snow is melting.
We
must also be mindful of nearby storm drains and road ditches,
etc. These structures usually carry runoff water directly
to a surface water body with no settling or treatment.
Photos courtesy of URI Watershed Watch
Learn
more about the
water cycle and groundwater. Learn
more about non-point
source pollution.
