Most cities get their water supply from a nearby river.

Do you know where the water in your bathroom comes from? When you take a drink in your kitchen, what water are you swallowing? How does this water get to your home?

In many towns, pipes run under the streets from a river to all the buildings of the town. There are big pumping stations on the river bank to pump the water out of the river through pipes to the houses. Millions of gallons of water are pumped each day into the homes, businesses, and factories. For what is this water used?

Look in the cupboard under your kitchen sink to find the pipes that supply the water to the faucet. Do the pipes have shutoff valves to turn the water on and off? Where do these pipes come from? Do they lead down into a basement? Follow them if you can.

Notebook Work: Label the top of your notebook page with "LESSON 2." Sketch your kitchen or bathroom faucet with the water flowing. Next to your drawing, list how you use water in any given week.