| A | B |
|---|
| condensation | particles of H20 in a cooling gas slow down and come together to form droplets of water. |
| evaporation | the fastest moving water molecules escape and form a gas. |
| precipitation | the release of water from clouds in the form of rain, sleet, snow, or hail. |
| transpiration | the movement of water out of a plant to the atmosphere in the form of a gas. |
| water cycle | A cycle that involves the processes of evaporation, condensation and precipitation. |
| 1996 Safe Water Drinking Act | Legislation that strengthened the health standards for drinking water and protects water sources from pollution |
| 1987 Clean Water Drinking Act | This act provided money to states to build sewage and waste-water treatment plants. |
| water pollution | The contamination of water by the discharge of harmful substances. |
| microbiologist | a scientist who studies microorganisms in our water supply. |
| chemist | a scientist who tests the water we drink. |
| Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | The EPA works to develop and enforce regulations that implement environmental laws enacted by Congress. |
| ppm | parts per million |
| ppb | parts per billion |
| aquifer | an underground reservoir of water that can be extracted for surface use. |
| saturated zones | The area below the water table that holds water. |
| unsaturated zone | The area betweenthe surface and the water table where open spaces allow water to flow through. |
| aquifer | An underground water supply that can be extracted to the surface for us to use. |
| wetlands | An area that is wet part of the year that contains plants that filter out pollutants. |
| runoff | water that cannot be absorbed into the ground |
| collection | whe water falls back to the earth as precipitation and collects in oceans,lakes and rivers |
| melting | when water changes from a solid to liquid |
| freezing | when water changes liquid from solid |
| infiltration | movement of water on earths surface |
| absorption | taking liquid into a root system for palnts from soil |
| excretion | getting rid of liquid waste |
| water conservation | the wise use of our water resources |
| recharge | water coming into the ground from the surface |
| ground water | water found in the ground |
| surface water | water found on earths surface |
| estuary | an area where fresh water mixes with salt water |
