The Water (Hydrologic) Cycle

The Water Cycle is nature's way of moving water through our environment.
Precipitation: Moisture in the atmosphere falls to earth as precipitation, e.g. rain, sleet, hail or snow.
Surface Runoff: Precipitation creates runoff that travels above ground into rivers, lakes, reservoirs and seas.
Percolation: Some water sinks deep into the earth (percolates) through openings in the soil to replenish aquifers under the ground. Eventually this water is discharged into lakes, rivers or wetlands.
Transpiration and Evaporation: Water vapor returns to the atmosphere through plant transpiration and evaporation from above-ground bodies of waters.

This water or "hydrologic" cycle never stops. It repeats over and over again in a never-ending cycle. Water keeps moving and changing from a solid to a liquid to a gas, over and over again.

What Do You Know About Water Supply?

There are three parts to water supply: source--treatment--distribution.

In some places, people spend most of their day carrying water for their families to use. More than two billion people on earth do not have a good water supply and must carry their water by hand. Their water might not even be clean.
Most people in North America get their water from public utilities. Public utilities are companies or government agencies that supply electricity, gas or water to the public. These utilities get their water from a natural source (a river, lake or aquifer). Many also treat (clean) the water to remove impurities. The utility then distributes (sends) the water to homes and businesses for people to use.

Some public utilities get water from surface water sources such as lakes and rivers. Other utilities get water from groundwater sources. The underground rock, clay, sand and gravel materials that store water are called aquifers. Some cities are fortunate enough to be near both a surface water source and a groundwater aquifer.

How You Can Protect The Water Supply

Did you know: Lead in household plumbing can get into your water.
What you can do: Find out if your pipes are lead or if lead solder was used to connect the pipes. If you

have lead in your plumbing system, when you turn on the tap for drinking or cooking, let the water run until it’s cold. Never use water from the hot tap for cooking or drinking.

Did you know: What’s dumped on the ground, poured down the drain, or tossed in the trash can pollute the sources of our drinking water.
What you can do: Take used motor oil and other automotive fluids to an automotive service center that recycles them. Patronize automotive centers and stores that accept automotive batteries for recycling. Take leftover paint, solvents and toxic household products to special collection centers.

Did you know: Lawn and garden pesticides and fertilizers can pollute the water.
What you can do: Reduce your use of pesticides and fertilizers and look for safer alternatives to control weeds and bugs.

Water Education Outreach

Classroom Presentations - Interested in teaching your students more about water?
You can schedule a classroom presentation by a Middlesex Water Company professional. These talks can be customized to cover topics of special interest to your students and can be conveniently arranged to meet your scheduling needs.

Speakers’ Bureau - Middlesex Water Company provides free speakers as part of its active community outreach efforts. If your organization is looking for a program for an upcoming meeting, why not consider a topic that too many of us take for granted -- water-- and the importance of wise water use. Our staff of professionally-trained volunteers can speak to students and organizations on a number of interesting water-related topics including:

* The Sources of Water/Water Supply
* The Water Cycle
* Water Quality - Treatment, Testing and Monitoring
* How To Use Water Wisely
* How Water Rates Are Set
* The Water Distribution System
* Ways All of Us Can Protect Our Water Supply

To arrange a speaker, please contact the Communications Department at (732) 634-1500. We’ll work with you to arrange a schedule that’s convenient for you and your group.