Lesson 5.2 - Impacts on Water

Which uses the most water in the United States?

• factories

• farms

• households

• power plants

Answer explanation

Power plants use the most water in the United States compared to factories, farms, and households.

Which source of water pollution would be hardest to trace and control?

• runoff from a city

• runoff from a mine

• an oil leak from an ocean tanker

• water from a factory discharge pipe

Answer explanation

Runoff from a city would be hardest to trace and control due to the diverse sources of pollution, such as residential, commercial, and industrial areas, making it challenging to pinpoint the exact origin.

What is the main purpose of the Safe Drinking Water Act?

• to ban point-source pollution

• to protect drinking-water supplies

• to clean up the Great Lakes

• to regulate landfills

Answer explanation

The main purpose of the Safe Drinking Water Act is to protect drinking-water supplies.

Which is an example of point-source pollution?

• A container ship strikes a bridge,

  releasing fuel into the water.

• Dirt washes away from a housing

  division during construction.

• Fertilizer and pesticides run off fields

  during a rainstorm.

• A flood overflows the underground

  sewage system of a city.

Answer explanation

The correct example of point-source pollution is when a container ship strikes a bridge, releasing fuel into the water.

The image below shows various human activities that produce pollution. Which statement below is true?

• They are all nonpoint sources of pollution.

• They are all point sources of pollution.

• Only industrial waste is a point source.

• Only urban runoff is a nonpoint source.

Answer explanation

Only industrial waste is a point source of pollution, the other activities are nonpoint sources.

Which is NOT a negative impact of dams?

• increase erosion along the stream

• cause some streams to dry up

• generate hydroelectric power

• prevent fish from migrating

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'generate hydroelectric power' because it is a positive impact of dams, while the other options are negative impacts.

What are some bodies of water that people can use as a source of water?

• oceans

• lakes

• rivers

• forest

Answer explanation

People can use oceans, lakes, and rivers as sources of water for various purposes such as drinking, irrigation, and transportation.

As the result of international cooperation, Lake Erie

• has fewer toxic chemicals in it.

• is still burning because of chemical-soaked litter.

• does not have problems with non-native species.

Answer explanation

The correct answer is that Lake Erie has fewer toxic chemicals in it due to international cooperation, which has helped improve its water quality.

True or False: Nonpoint-source pollution are easier to locate than point-source pollution sources.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Nonpoint-source pollution comes from diffuse sources, making it harder to locate compared to point-source pollution which comes from specific, identifiable sources.

Which household product can you replace with a less-toxic substances?

• cleanser

• baking soda

• white vinegar

Answer explanation

You can replace cleanser with less-toxic substances like baking soda or white vinegar.