Science of Water : Concepts and Applications

Introduction 5
As mentioned earlier, water is special, strange, and different. Some of us fi nd water fascinating—a
subject worthy of endless interest, because of its unique behavior, limitless utility, and ultimate and
intimate connection with our existence. Perhaps you might agree with Tom Robbins (1976, pp. 1–2),
whose description of water follows:
Stylishly composed in any situation—solid, gas or liquid—speaking in penetrating dialects understood
by all things—animal, vegetable or mineral—water travels intrepidly through four dimensions,
sustaining (Kick a lettuce in the fi eld and it will yell “Water!”), destroying (The Dutch boy’s fi nger
remembered the view from Ararat) and creating (It has even been said that human beings were invented
by water as a device for transporting itself from one place to another, but that’s another story). Always in
motion, ever-fl owing (whether at stream rate or glacier speed), rhythmic, dynamic, ubiquitous, changing
and working its changes, a mathematics turned wrong side out, a philosophy in reverse, the ongoing
odyssey of water is irresistible.
As Robbins said, water is always in motion. One of the most essential characteristic of water is
that it is dynamic. Water constantly evaporates from sea, lakes, and soil and transpires from foliage;
is transported through the atmosphere; falls to the Earth; runs across the land; and fi lters down to
fl ow along rock strata into aquifers. Eventually, water fi nds its way to the sea again—indeed, water
never stops moving.
A thought that might not have occurred to most people as they look at our glass of water is,
“Who has tasted this same water before us?” Before us? Absolutely. Remember, water is almost
a fi nite entity. What we have now is what we have had in the past. The same water consumed by
Cleopatra, Aristotle, Leonardo da Vinci, Napoleon, Joan of Arc (and several billion other folks who
preceded us), we are drinking now—because water is dynamic (never at rest), and because water
constantly cycles and recycles, as discussed in another section.
Water never goes away, disappears, or vanishes; it always returns in one form or another. As
Dove (1989) points out, “all water has a perfect memory and is forever trying to get back to where
it was.”
SETTING THE STAGE
The availability of a water supply adequate in terms of both quantity and quality is essential to
our very existence. One thing is certain: History has shown that the provision of an adequate
quantity of quality potable water has been a matter of major concern since the beginning of
civilization.
Water—especially clean, safe water—we know we need it to survive—we know a lot about
it—however, the more we know the more we discover we don’t know.
Modern technology has allowed us to tap potable water supplies and to design and construct
elaborate water distribution systems. Moreover, we have developed technology to treat used water
(wastewater); that is, water we foul, soil, pollute, discard, and fl ush away.
Have you ever wondered where the water goes when you fl ush the toilet? Probably not.
An entire technology has developed around treating water and wastewater. Along with
technology, of course, technological experts have been developed. These experts range from environmental/structural/civil
engineers to environmental scientists, geologists, hydrologists, chemists,
biologists, and others.
Along with those who design and construct water/wastewater treatment works, there is a large
cadre of specialized technicians, spread worldwide, who operate water- and wastewater-treatment
plants. These operators are tasked, obviously, with providing a water product that is both safe and
palatable for consumption and with treating (cleaning) a waste stream before it is returned to its
receiving body (usually a river or stream). It is important to point out that not only are water practitioners
who treat potable and used water streams responsible for ensuring quality, quantity, and