Water

Agriculture

The most important use of water in agriculture is for irrigation, which is a key component to produce enough food. About 70% of the water we take from rivers and groundwater goes intoirrigation.

Drinking

The human body contains from 55% to 80% water, which depends on body size. To function properly, the body requires between one and seven liters of water per day to avoiddehydration; the precise amount depends on the level of activity, temperature, humidity, and other factors. Most of this is ingested through foods or beverages, as well as drinking straight waterCommon household uses

Common household uses consume a lot of water. The average toilet uses about 5 gallons of water per flush, almost 40 gallons of water for one shower. Washing machines use moreor less 25 gallons per load. The kitchen takes roughly 20 gallons per day for preparing food and washing dishes. Washing hands, shaving and brushing teeth, requires about 15 gallons per day. Much ofour fresh water is also used outdoors for watering lawns, flower, and vegetable gardens, as well as washing cars and filling swimming pools.

Chemical uses

Water is used in chemical reactions as asolvent. In inorganic reactions, water is a common solvent, dissolving many ionic compounds.

Fire extinction

Water has a high heat of vaporization, which makes it a good fire extinguishingfluid. However, it is dangerous to use water on fires involving oils and organic solvents, because many organic materials float on water and the water tends to spread the burning liquid.

RecreationHumans use water for many recreational purposes, as well as for exercising and for sports. Some of these include swimming, waterskiing, boating and surfing. Lakes, beaches and water parks are popularplaces for people to go to relax and enjoy recreation.

Water industry

Water is also essential in industry. It is heated and the steam is used to run machinery. Water is used to cool hot metal...