New
New
Year 3

Water supply and demand in the UK

I can explain why there is a need to move water from place to place in the UK to meet demand, and how this is done.

New
New
Year 3

Water supply and demand in the UK

I can explain why there is a need to move water from place to place in the UK to meet demand, and how this is done.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In the UK, water comes from surface water sources (rivers, lakes, reservoirs) and underground water sources (aquifers).
  2. The greatest demand for water in the UK comes from areas that have the least water supply.
  3. Reservoirs collect water in the wettest parts of the UK, to pipe to cities and towns in other areas for drinking water.

Keywords

  • Reservoir - A reservoir is a lake built behind a dam to store water.

  • Aquifer - Aquifers are porous rocks that can store and filter water.

  • Pipeline - Pipelines transfer something from one place to another, usually a liquid or a gas.

  • Consumption - Consumption is the process of using up resources.

Common misconception

That aquifers are soaking wet and we can see or feel them.

Aquifers are areas of porous rock deep underground, we can not see or feel them from the surface. Rocks, like cliff faces or outcrops that we can see are not soaking wet because the water is found far deeper within the aquifer.

Where does the water come from where you live? Do you have a reservoir nearby? Pupils could investigate these questions by looking at water supply company websites, or even by visiting a local reservoir where facilities exist.
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.
Choose the best word to complete the sentence. Many settlements were built near ...
people
fields
Correct answer: rivers
mountains
Q2.
True or false? All people in the world have equal access to water.
true
Correct answer: false
Q3.
How is water helpful for farmers?
Correct answer: for watering crops
for cleaning shoes
Correct answer: for farm animals to drink
for washing clothes
Q4.
What type of water body is shown in the picture?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: river
Q5.
Which of these factors cause a problem with access to a water supply?
Correct answer: poverty
Correct answer: distance from the source
Correct answer: dry weather
thirst
Q6.
Many settlements grew thanks to boats travelling on rivers buying and selling goods. This is called ....
Correct Answer: trade

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these are natural surface water sources?
Correct answer: lakes
swimming pools
reservoirs
Correct answer: rivers
Q2.
What is the purpose of constructing a reservoir?
for people to fish in it
to go swimming in it
Correct answer: to store water in wet places
for people to sail on it
Q3.
How is water transferred from reservoirs to other places that need water?
in trucks
in bottles
in rain
Correct answer: in pipelines
Q4.
If a rock is described as porous, what does this mean?
there are holes in it
it is not natural
Correct answer: water can flow through it
it is found underwater
Q5.
Complete the sentence. _______ is an example of a porous rock.
iron
wood
Correct answer: chalk
plastic
Q6.
What type of natural water source is found underground?
Correct Answer: aquifer