Name: Harold E Cooper

Date: 13 July 15

Instructor’s Name: Dr. Clement Yedjou

Assignment: SCI203 Phase 1 Lab Report

Title: Human Impacts on the Sustainability of Groundwater

Instructions: You will need to write a 1-page lab report using the scientific method to answer the following question: • If current human development does not change, will groundwater sustainability be affected? Yes, the groundwater sustainability will be drastically affected. “When land is cleared for human development, more flooding occurs, the transpiration rate (the amount of water evaporating into the atmosphere from the planet) is reduced and rainwater is inhibited from adequately percolating (penetrating the soil) into the ground to allow for aquifers and groundwater to be recharged. (Environmental Science, 2010) Improvements in the efficiency of water use such as improved irrigation systems as well as efficient management of modern technologies that waste more water than is needed for productions is the only solution to elude the scarcity of our freshwater supply. The six billion people that currently inhabit the population of our planet use approximately 30 percent of the total accessible renewable supply of water. It is estimated that by 2025, the percentage may increase to 70 percent, with continuous growth in population and modernizations. “Achieving sustainability and water security requires better planning, management, and technologies. The following list is a promising start to effective conservations and maintaining the ecological balance of our current water supply:

1. Basic human needs for water should be acknowledge as a top international priority. 2. Water related diseases should be brought under control. 3. Basic ecosystem water needs should be identified and met. 4. Serious water-related conflicts should through formal negotiations.