3.1 Water in our houses

Geography

Grade 4

Resources and services within a settlement

Module 14

Water in our houses

Water as a resource

Without water life on earth is not possible. Water is also the ingredient or substance found in the largest quantities on earth – it covers almost 80 % of the surface of our planet. Only 3 % of the 80 % is fresh water, and most of this fresh water is found in frozen form, namely the ice-fields at the North and South Poles.

Some interesting facts:

• Between 60% and 70% of our bodies consist of water.
• 85% of our brains is water.
• 25% of our bone structures is water.
• 83% of our blood is water.
• A human being can survive for longer than two weeks without food, but only three days without water.
• A human being loses an average of 2,5 litres of water due to perspiration, respiration and waste.

1.water in our houses

Now that you have been introduced to these interesting facts about human beings and water, are you convinced that water is the most important resource? Discuss it in class.

Activity 1

To discuss water in and around our homes [lo 2.2]

What does your family need water for? Talk to your partner about your needs, and then answer the following questions:

Water for our family

1. We all drink water.

2. Mother uses water when she cooks food.

3. …………………………………………………………………………………

4. …………………………………………………………………………………

5. …………………………………………………………………………………

6. …………………………………………………………………………………

7. …………………………………………………………………………………

8. …………………………………………………………………………………

2.where does your water come from?

When it rains, water flows along rivers and streams to eventually end up in great dams that were built in the rivers. They are called storage dams. From these storage dams the water is transported in enormous pipes to water works where the necessary purification of the water takes place. From there the water is transported along smaller pipes to cities and towns and eventually to our homes. Which storage dam(s) is/are nearest to you? Write down the name(s) of the dam(s):

Access to water

Activity 2

To identify the reasons why some people have better access to clean water than others [lo 3.2]

• Our government spends large amounts of money to supply clean water to all the people of our country for drinking household use. The ideal is that each household should have running water that is clean and safe in their homes.
• However, there are still many people that have to walk long distances to fetch water in containers and carry them home. Often the water is taken from rivers that are polluted by people, animals and factories. The polluted water causes diseases from which people can die.

Informal settlements are established and develop so rapidly that the local governments cannot supply running water immediately. The people build their shelters close to open water sources such as rivers. Everybody then uses the same source. People not only take their drinking water from the source, but also wash themselves and their washing in the same water. Children play and swim in the water, and animals contaminate the water. Often waste from factories is dumped into the source.

Assessment

Learning outcome 2: geographical knowledge and understanding

The learner will be able to demonstrate geographical and environmental knowledge and understanding.

Assessment standard

We know this when the learner:

• describes the importance of access to resources and services for people living in settlements.

Learning outcome 3: exploring issues

The learner will be able to make informed decisions about social and environmental issues and problems.

Assessment standard

We know this when the learner:

3.2 identifies the factors that influence why some people have better access to resources compared to others in a particular context.

Memorandum

Water in and around our homes

1. Purification (cleansing purposes)
2. Garden

5. Swimming pool