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Sources
Chapter 15 of water

Water is the necessity of life and all living things need water. We need water for
drinking, cooking, bathing, washing and other ac vi es. Plants need water to live and
grow. Animals need water to drink and keep them cool.

Different sources of water
Only about 2.5 percent of the water on Earth is fit for drinking. The rest is salt water.
Let us learn about the various sources of water on Earth.

Rain
Rain is a major component of the water cycle and is responsible for deposi ng most of
the fresh water on the Earth. Most of the freshwater on Earth comes from rain and
therefore, rain is the main source of water. Farmers in India depend on rain to irrigate
their fields.

Underground water
Groundwater is the water located beneath the
Earth's surface in soil pore spaces and in the
fractures of rock forma ons. Most of the rainwater
seeps into the ground and collects below as
underground water. This water is safe and fit for
drinking. Wells, hand pumps and tube wells are
used to take out underground water.

Lakes and ponds
Rainwater collects in other forms such as lakes and
ponds. A lake is a rela vely s ll water body of considerable size surrounded by a land.
A pond is a body of standing water, either natural or man-made, that is usually smaller
than a lake.

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