Question

(i)Differentiate between Surface water and Groundwater.
(ii) Mention two reasons to explain why we are facing water scarcity in recent times.

Answer 1

Hint: Water supplies are natural and potentially valuable water resources. Agricultural, household, leisure, and environmental practices require the use of water. To grow and reproduce, all living things need water.

Complete answer:
(i) Surface water, such as rivers, creeks, and wetlands, is water situated on top of the surface of the Earth. This could be referred to as blue water as well. Precipitation and water runoff from surrounding areas generate the vast majority. Snowmelt water flows into local streams as the atmosphere warms in the spring and rivers lead to a significant portion of our drinking water. As a result of evaporation, surface water levels decline and water flowing through the ground becomes ground-water.

Surface Water	Groundwater
1. It is water found in the cavities of a river, lake, or other surfaces.	1.Groundwater is water that is trapped in or by a soil or rock subsurface layer.
2. Typically, surface water is not very high in mineral content.	2.Groundwater also contains fewer pollutants than surface water since certain toxins are absorbed by the rock that helps to serve as a filter.
3. Because of its lower mineral content, surface water is called soft water.	3. Groundwater is usually known to be hard water due to the minerals obtained when flowing through the rocks.

(ii) We are facing water scarcity in recent times because of:
a.The increase in population and urbanisation
b.Discharge of effluents and dumping waste in water bodies

Note: Hundreds of millions of people across the nation are affected by the lack of water in India. There is no secure and constant way for a large portion of the population to get water for their everyday needs. 65% of all reservoirs in India recorded below-normal water levels in June 2019, and 12% were fully dry.