Top 10 Reasons Water Matters for Students
Water is an incredible substance that sustains life on Earth. From the simplest microscopic organisms to giant whales in the deep ocean, everything depends on water. Even we humans are mostly made of water and rely on it to regulate our body temperature, transport nutrients, and support countless biological processes. Its vital significance goes beyond survival—water shapes climates, sculpts landscapes, and nourishes ecosystems.
What Exactly is Water?
Water (with the water chemical name “dihydrogen monoxide”) has the water formula H₂O. That means each molecule consists of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom. In everyday water pronunciation (UK English), it typically sounds like /ˈwɔː.tər/. Although seemingly simple, water plays intricate roles in biology, chemistry, geography, and environmental science.
Key Properties of Water
Polarity: Water molecules are polar (with a slight positive charge on the hydrogen side and a slight negative charge on the oxygen side). This allows water to dissolve many substances.
High-Specific Heat: Water can absorb or lose large amounts of heat with minimal temperature change, making it crucial for climate regulation and body temperature maintenance.
Surface Tension: Water molecules “stick” together, creating a “skin” on the surface. This helps insects walk on water and supports water’s upward travel in plants through capillary action.
Top Sources of Water
We often think of water in terms of lakes and rivers, but these are just a fraction of Earth’s water systems. Water covers about 70% of our planet, but only 2–3% is freshwater—of which a significant portion is locked up in glaciers.
Rainwater
Direct precipitation that replenishes groundwater and surface reservoirs.
Groundwater (Wells, Springs)
Water stored beneath the Earth’s surface in aquifers, drawn up for domestic and agricultural use.
Surface Water (Rivers, Lakes, Ponds, Reservoirs, Streams, Tanks)
Visible bodies of water on land, are essential for irrigation, industry, and daily human activities.
The 10 Importance of Water Resources
Below are the 10 importance of water resources in everyday life, the environment, and industrial applications:
Drinking and Hydration: Regulates body temperature, supports digestion, and maintains electrolyte balance.
Lubrication of Joints: Water in synovial fluid helps joints move smoothly.
Agricultural Needs: Supports crop irrigation, livestock drinking, and frost control.
Photosynthesis: Plants require water to produce food and oxygen.
Transport of Nutrients: Circulatory systems (in animals and plants) rely on water for nutrient transport.
Body Temperature Control: Sweating and evaporation keep us cool.
Industrial Processes: Used as a coolant, solvent, and in various manufacturing steps.
Habitat for Aquatic Life: Oceans, rivers, and lakes are homes to countless species.
Cleaning and Sanitation: Essential for hygiene, household cleaning, and reducing disease spread.
Energy Production: Hydroelectric power plants depend on water flow to generate electricity.
Read, Photosynthesis Process
Daily Water Usage Facts
On average, a person may use anywhere between 600 to 700 litres of water per day for household tasks like drinking, cooking, cleaning, and bathing.
Even plants eject excess water (through transpiration) to maintain cellular processes. This natural “water eject” mechanism helps keep them cool and supports nutrient uptake.
Exploring the Water Cycle
Often called the hydrological cycle, the water cycle ensures that water is constantly recycled around the planet. Here are its main stages:
Evaporation
Sunlight warms surface water, causing it to transform into water vapour (a subtle “water eject” from oceans, lakes, and rivers) that rises into the atmosphere.
Condensation
Water vapour cools at higher altitudes, forming tiny droplets in clouds.
Precipitation
When these droplets grow heavy, they fall back as rain, snow, or other forms of precipitation.
Collection
The fallen water returns to rivers, ponds, and oceans or seeps into the soil as groundwater—ready to start the cycle again.
Explore: Water Cycle
How does Water Pollution Affect Us?
While fresh water is precious, water pollution threatens its availability. Contaminants from industries, agricultural runoff, sewage, and plastics reduce water quality. Water pollution not only harms aquatic ecosystems but also impacts our health, agriculture, and economy. Minimising water pollution is as crucial as saving water itself.
To learn more about safeguarding our rivers and oceans, visit our dedicated Water Pollution control
Conserving Our Lifeblood
Since only a tiny fraction of Earth’s freshwater is readily accessible, conserving it is vital. Here are some strategies:
Rainwater Harvesting: Collect and store rainwater for future use.
Greywater Recycling: Reuse lightly used water (e.g., from laundry) for garden irrigation.
Checking Leakages: Prevent water wastage by fixing leaks promptly.
Efficient Irrigation Techniques: Drip or sprinkler systems reduce the volume of water needed for farming.
Awareness and Education: Teaching children about the 10 importance of water resources ensures a responsible future generation.
For more tips on saving water, explore our in-depth Water Conservation article on Vedantu.
Unique Biological Insights
Beyond the basics, here are a few extra water-focused facts from a biology standpoint:
Cellular Osmosis: Cells rely on water to maintain correct pressure and nutrient balance.
Transpiration in Plants: This is not only a water eject method but also helps draw water and minerals from roots to leaves.
Thermoregulation in Animals: Sweating and panting are forms of water eject to control body temperature.
Diverse States of Water: Not just liquid, solid, and gas—scientists study “supercritical” and “amorphous” states in labs, revealing water’s complex nature.
Quick Quiz: Test Your Water Knowledge!
Which is the correct water formula?
A. H₂O₂
B. H₂O
C. HO₂
What is the water chemical name?
A. Hydrogen oxide
B. Dihydrogen monoxide
C. Hydroxyl acid
Identify one major contributor to water pollution:
A. Rainfall
B. Agricultural run-off
C. Water vapour
Which part of a plant primarily handles water eject through transpiration?
A. Roots
B. Flowers
C. Leaves
Name one method for conserving water at home:
A. Leaving taps running
B. Rainwater harvesting
C. Using more fertilisers
Check Your Answers
B – H₂O is the standard water formula.
B – “Dihydrogen monoxide” is the water chemical name.
B – Agricultural run-off adds pesticides and fertilisers to water, a key cause of water pollution.
C – Leaves have stomata that help plants eject water vapour.
B – Harvesting rainwater reduces dependence on groundwater and conserves limited resources.
FAQs on Water: Essential for Life, Growth, and Our Future
1. Why is water often called the 'lifeblood of our planet'?
Water is called the 'lifeblood of our planet' because it is fundamental to every known form of life. It acts as a universal solvent, transporting essential nutrients and minerals within organisms, facilitates critical metabolic reactions inside cells, regulates temperature for both living beings and the Earth's climate, and shapes the landscapes we live in through the water cycle.
2. What is the chemical formula of water and what does it represent?
The chemical formula for water is H₂O. This formula represents that a single molecule of water is composed of two hydrogen (H) atoms covalently bonded to one oxygen (O) atom. This simple structure is the basis for all of water's unique and life-sustaining properties.
3. What are the most important roles of water in the human body?
In the human body, water is essential for several critical functions, including:
- Regulating body temperature through sweating and respiration.
- Transporting nutrients and oxygen to cells.
- Flushing waste products and toxins out of the body.
- Lubricating joints and tissues.
- Forming saliva and other fluids necessary for digestion.
4. How does water support plant life and growth?
Water is indispensable for plants for three primary reasons. Firstly, it is a key reactant in photosynthesis, the process plants use to create food. Secondly, it acts as a transport medium to carry dissolved nutrients from the soil up to the leaves. Lastly, it provides turgor pressure within plant cells, which keeps them rigid and helps support the plant's structure.
5. What are the main causes of water pollution and its effect on ecosystems?
The main causes of water pollution include the discharge of untreated sewage, industrial effluents containing toxic chemicals, agricultural runoff with fertilisers and pesticides, and plastic waste. This pollution severely harms ecosystems by killing aquatic life, causing diseases like eutrophication (algal blooms), and contaminating the entire food chain.
6. What makes water a 'universal solvent' and why is this property vital for life?
Water is known as the 'universal solvent' because its polar molecules have a slight positive charge on the hydrogen side and a slight negative charge on the oxygen side. This polarity allows it to easily dissolve more substances than any other liquid, particularly other polar molecules and ionic compounds like salts and sugars. This is vital for life as it enables the transport of essential nutrients and the removal of waste products within organisms.
7. Why can't humans survive by drinking seawater?
Humans cannot survive by drinking seawater because of its high salt concentration. The human kidneys can only produce urine that is less salty than seawater. Therefore, to excrete the excess salt, the body needs to use more water than it consumed, leading to a net loss of water and causing fatal dehydration through a process called osmosis.
8. What is the water cycle and what are its key stages?
The water cycle, or hydrological cycle, is the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. The key stages are:
- Evaporation: The process where liquid water turns into water vapour (a gas) and rises into the atmosphere.
- Condensation: The process where water vapour in the air cools down and changes back into liquid water, forming clouds.
- Precipitation: Water released from clouds in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
- Collection: The process where water from precipitation collects in rivers, lakes, oceans, or as groundwater, starting the cycle again.
9. How do the unique thermal properties of water benefit living organisms?
Water has a high specific heat capacity, meaning it can absorb a large amount of heat energy before its own temperature increases significantly. This property is crucial for living organisms as it helps them maintain a stable internal body temperature (homeostasis), even when external temperatures fluctuate. It also helps moderate the Earth's climate by absorbing and storing vast amounts of solar heat.
10. What is the difference between freshwater and saltwater?
The primary difference between freshwater and saltwater is their salinity, or the concentration of dissolved salts. Freshwater has a very low salt concentration (typically less than 0.5 parts per thousand) and is found in rivers, lakes, glaciers, and groundwater. Saltwater has a high salt concentration (around 35 parts per thousand) and makes up the Earth's oceans and seas.
