18 Water for Life
3. Visit all the places
where people collect water
Different kinds of water sources can
have different problems and different
solutions. Visit springs, wells, surface
waters (rivers, streams, lakes, and
ponds), and rainwater catchment sites.
At each water source, start a discussion
about how this water is used and if
anyone suspects that it is contaminated.
Some things to ask to identify
problems of water access:
Is it hard to get to the water source?
How long does it take to bring water
home from the source?
Does the source provide enough
water all year round?
Soap does not
lather well in water
that contains
certain minerals,
making it harder
to clean clothes.
Water with chemicals makes
food taste bad. Rice turns
brown and soft when cooked
in water with high amounts
of lead or other metals.
Beans do not
cook well in
water with a
lot of minerals
and salt, but the
water may be
safe to drink.
Some things to ask to identify
problems of water quality:
Is the water cloudy or dirty?
Is the water a strange color, such as red or black?
Are there problems cooking with the water?
Are there problems washing with the water?