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• Some rain soaks into the ground, as infiltration, and becomes groundwater.

• Groundwater close to the land surface is taken up by plants.
• Some groundwater seeps into rivers and lakes, and can flow to the surface as springs.
• Plants take up groundwater and evapotranspire, or evaporate, it from their leaves.

• Groundwater flows into the oceans, keeping the water cycle going.
Explore the water facts below to learn more about this valuable resource!

THE WATER CYCLE IS THE CONTINUOUS MOVEMENT ON, ABOVE, AND BELOW THE
SURFACE OF THE EARTH.

DRINKING WATER COMES FROM THREE MAIN SOURCES: GROUNDWATER, SURFACE
WATER AND RAINWATER.

WATER COMPOSES OF TWO ELEMENTS 2 PARTS HYDROGEN AND 1 PART OXYGEN = H2O

WATER REGULATES THE EARTH'S TEMPERATURE.

HOT WATER FREEZES FASTER THAN COLD WATERWATER.

SOUND TRAVELS ABOUT 4X FASTER FASTER UNDERWATER.

Possible questions for students: Do you know where water comes from? Do you know
what happens with water after rain? Why do we need water? Who else needs water?
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U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) - The Water Cycle for Schools and Kids
www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/water-cycle-schools-and-
kids
Activities on States of water www.twinkl.ro/resource/ca-sc-49-states-of-water-activity

3. Water resources on Earth

Freshwater is a precious and scarce natural resource. Why? Because freshwater
accounts for only 2.5% of the Earth's water, 70% of which is in the form of glaciers and
snow caps in the poles and mountainous regions. The rest is salt water which is not
potable.

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This communication reflects the
views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the

information contained therein.