Chapter 11

In the pre-urban, soil and tress are the components. Which, are 50 percent of the precipitation is
absorbed by the soil and 10 percent to the surface runoff. While the 40 percent is absorbed by the
plants. The soil and plants work together to filter out pollutants and slow flooding. Some of this water
sinks further into the soil and becomes getting cleaner and replenishing the groundwater. This
groundwater provides a source of well water and contributes to healthy flows of streams and rivers.
When we make room for water to infiltrate underground, we experience the above-ground benefits:
healthier trees and plants, cleaner water, drier basements and much more. A very good example is in
Cervantes. It’s purely agricultural so there are little to none problems in water. Water is properly
conserved naturally with nature. The water can recycle and regenerate.

In illustration b, the urban area is composed of houses, roads, and buildings. If the precipitation falls
100%, only 25% is evaporated or transpired because of lesser trees or plants. There is a 45% surface
runoff due to that more water factors such as but not limited to storm sewer runoff from roads and
buildings. Only 32% is absorbed by the groundwater. There is no doubt that as the land is converted to
urban, problems in water also arise. Water shortage and flood are the main problems in urban areas. A
great example is Baguio City and La Trinidad. The water shed is surrounded by houses in Aurora Hill.
Only a small portion is allocated for the trees. More buildings and establishments are built. As a result,
the small city is now experiencing flood which is not a usual situation in the past years.

This is a common-sense concept but which, human is blind to see and greedy to meditate.

CHAPTER 11 PROPERTIES OF WATER DEFINING THE TERMS 1-4

1. Surface water
Surface water is any body of water that is on the land surface. Surface water can either be
stationary or moving. It includes freshwater and saltwater. Surface water is vital to human
beings as it is utilized for many human uses. It is an essential source of drinking water. Some of
the examples of surface water are rivers, creeks, reservoirs, lakes, and ocean.
2. Runoff
Runoff is the water which flows over the surface of ground to the streams. It occurs when there
is more water than the land can absorb. It can either be from natural process and human
activities. This is a one of the main sources of water pollution because as water runs along the
surface, it absorbs chemicals and toxic substances.
3. Groundwater
Groundwater is the water found underground. It fills the spaces and fractures beneath the
earth’s surface. It is stored in rock materials called aquifers. It is the water found underground in
saturated zone. The groundwater supplies water for wells and springs. It also is a source of
drinking water.
 4. Unconfined aquifer
For an aquifer to be considered unconfined, it must not be confined by impermeable materials,
and its upper surface should also not be confined by the effects of atmospheric pressure. An
unconfined aquifer is directly open at the surface. This type of aquifer is closer to the surface of
the Earth compared to the confined aquifers, which means they are impacted by drought
conditions faster than confined aquifers. Unconfined aquifers can be found beneath rivers and
streams.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Boiling point The Boiling point of water ranges from 99.98 °C to 100.00°C (211.96 °F; 373.13
K)

Melting point The Melting point of water in solid form is 0.00°C (32.00 °F; 273.15 K) Freezing
point The Freezing point of water is below 0.00°C

pH The pH of water is measured between 0 and 14 to determine how acidic or alkaline it is.