Science experiments: clean water

All living things need water to survive. As human beings we use water everyday for drinking, washing, cleaning and cooking. It is the most common compound that exists on Earth. Water covers almost two-thirds of the Earth’s surface but less than three per cent is fresh as opposed to saltwater.

Even fresh water found lakes, ponds and rivers, is far from pure and requires thorough cleaning before it can be drunk. We are fortunate in having supplies of clean water as soon as we turn on the taps in our homes. In some parts of the world this does not happen and the use of polluted water causes serious illness and disease.

Equipment needed