Problem 2
What role does population growth play in (a) water supply problems, (b) groundwater pollution problems, and (c) coastal water pollution problems?
Problem 3
Explain why you are for or against (a) raising the price of water while providing lower lifeline rates for the poor and lower middle class, (b) withdrawing government subsidies that provide farmers with water at low cost, and (c) providing government subsidies to farmers for improving irrigation efficiency.
Problem 4
Calculate how many liters (and gallons) of water are wasted in 1 month by a toilet that leaks 2 drops of water per second. (1 liter of water equals about 3,500 drops and 1 liter equals 0.265 gallon.)
Problem 5
List three ways in which human activities increase the harmful effects of flooding. What is the best way to prevent each of these human impacts? Do you think they should be prevented? Why or why not?
Problem 6
You are a regulator charged with drawing up plans for controlling water pollution. Briefly describe one idea for controlling water pollution from each of the following sources: (a) an effluent pipe from a factory going into a stream, (b) a parking lot at a shopping mall bordered by a stream, (c) a farmer's field on a slope next to a stream.
Problem 9
Congratulations! You are in charge of the world. What are three actions you would take to (a) provide an adequate safe drinking water supply for the poor and for other people in developing countries, (b) sharply reduce point-source water pollution in developing countries, (c) sharply reduce nonpoint-source water pollution throughout the world, and (d) sharply reduce groundwater pollution throughout the world.
