New
New
Year 3

Water ownership

I can explain some reasons why we have to pay for clean water and offer opinions as to whether this is fair or not.

New
New
Year 3

Water ownership

I can explain some reasons why we have to pay for clean water and offer opinions as to whether this is fair or not.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A rising population and growing industries mean demand for water increases but the amount of water on earth is the same.
  2. Nobody owns rainwater, but storing and transporting water, taking away wastewater and recycling it costs money.
  3. In many countries, like the UK, people have to pay for the water supply to their homes.

Keywords

  • Recycle - Converting waste materials into new materials and objects.

  • Population - The population is the total number of people living in a particular area.

  • Industry - Industry is the business of turning raw materials into finished products, usually in factories.

Common misconception

That water which comes out of the tap is a free resource.

Water is a utility, just like gas and electricity. We need utilities to run our homes and do everyday tasks. The money we pay for water goes to the company that provides our water pipes, drains, sewers and recycles our water so we can use it again.

Do you know who provides the water in your area? Do you know how much water costs in your area? Do you know how much water on average you use in your home? Do some research to find out!
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these are natural water stores?
reservoir
Correct answer: lake
Correct answer: aquifer
Q2.
Which of the following is found underground?
reservoir
river
lake
Correct answer: aquifer
Q3.
What are aquifers made from?
Correct answer: rock
metal
wood
water
Q4.
Which of these places has the greatest demand for water?
a small village
a big forest
Correct answer: a large city
a mountain
Q5.
What is the name for water that is dirty or has been used?
Correct Answer: wastewater
Q6.
Which of these is a type of precipitation?
wind
sun
Correct answer: rain
thunder

6 Questions

Q1.
Whic of these uses of water is paid for?
splashing in the sea
boating on the canal
Correct answer: having a hot shower
Correct answer: making a cup of tea
Q2.
Is there more, less, or the same amount of water on Earth today than there was 2000 years ago?
more
less
Correct answer: the same
Q3.
Which of the following are reasons why there is more demand for water today?
Correct answer: more industry and factories
running out of bottled water
less water is available
Correct answer: a growing population
Q4.
What do water utility companies do?
Correct answer: construct pipes and sewers
Correct answer: clean water that is dirty
Correct answer: fix leaks
break the water cycle
sell bottled water
Q5.
What type of water comes out of household taps?
An image in a quiz
rainwater
Correct answer: mains water
Correct answer: clean water
seawater
Q6.
The natural process by which water is moved and stored on Earth is called the water ...
Correct Answer: cycle