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How Do Humans Impact Freshwater Supply

Interactive passage with audio narration, comprehension questions, and printable PDF.

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Format: Interactive (Online), Printable (PDF)
Grades: 678
Subjects: scienceela
Standards: MS-ESS2-4
Languages: English, Spanish

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Reading passage

Reading comprehension

Audio narration

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Comprehension quiz

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Glossary & flashcards

Vocabulary practice

Differentiated version

Adapted for varied levels

Spanish translation

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About this reader

This comprehensive 650-word reading passage examines how human activities impact freshwater supply, aligned with NGSS standard MS-ESS2-4. Middle school students in grades 6-8 explore three major ways humans affect water resources: pollution from chemicals and waste, over-extraction of groundwater that depletes aquifers, and land use changes like deforestation and urbanization that alter the water cycle. The passage connects to ESS3.A by demonstrating how unsustainable use of finite natural resources affects both ecosystems and human communities. Students learn about real-world examples including agricultural runoff, industrial contamination, and the consequences of excessive groundwater pumping. Audio-integrated features support diverse learners, while differentiated versions ensure accessibility for English Language Learners and struggling readers. The passage includes bolded vocabulary terms, a comprehensive glossary, and engaging activities that promote critical thinking about water conservation and sustainable resource management.

Written by Workybooks TeamPublished by Workybooks

Sample passage and quiz content

CONTENT PREVIEW

Floating plastic waste in dark water with industrial chimneys in background. — "Industrial factory stacks looming over a river polluted with floating trash." Image by yogendras31 / Pixabay.

Freshwater is one of Earth's most important natural resources, but only about 3% of all water on our planet is fresh, and much of that is frozen in glaciers. Freshwater is water that contains very low amounts of dissolved salts and is found in rivers, lakes, and underground sources called aquifers. Human activities are reducing both the amount and quality of freshwater available for people and ecosystems to use.

One major way humans impact freshwater is through pollution, which occurs when harmful substances enter water sources. Factories sometimes release chemicals into rivers, while farms use fertilizers and pesticides that wash into streams during rainstorms. This process, called runoff, carries these chemicals from land into water bodies. When cities dump untreated sewage into rivers, bacteria and other harmful organisms contaminate the water. Polluted water cannot be used for drinking without expensive treatment, and it harms fish, plants, and other organisms that live in aquatic ecosystems. In some regions, pollution has made entire lakes unsafe for swimming or fishing.

Another critical problem is the over-extraction of groundwater, which means pumping out water from underground aquifers faster than natural processes can refill them. Groundwater supplies about half of the drinking water in the United States and is essential for irrigating crops. When farmers, industries, and cities pump too much groundwater, the water table drops. The water table is the upper level of underground water in an aquifer. As it falls, wells must be drilled deeper, which costs more money. In extreme cases, aquifers can become permanently damaged when the rock and soil above them collapse into the empty space. California's Central Valley has experienced this problem, with some areas sinking more than 28 feet due to excessive groundwater pumping.

Land use changes also significantly affect freshwater availability. When forests are cleared for agriculture or cities expand over natural landscapes, the ground's ability to absorb water decreases. Trees and plants normally intercept rainfall and help water soak into the ground, recharging aquifers. Concrete and asphalt in urban areas prevent this natural infiltration, causing rainwater to run off quickly into storm drains instead of replenishing groundwater supplies. This means less water enters aquifers while more flows directly into rivers, sometimes causing flooding. Deforestation near rivers also removes trees whose roots stabilize soil and filter pollutants before they reach water sources.

These three human impacts—pollution, over-extraction, and land use changes—are interconnected and create a cycle of declining water quality and availability. As populations grow and industries expand, the demand for freshwater increases while the usable supply shrinks. Communities that depend on a single aquifer or river face serious challenges when that source becomes polluted or depleted. Ecosystems suffer too, as wetlands dry up, fish populations decline, and entire habitats disappear. The problem demonstrates why freshwater must be recognized as a finite resource that requires careful management and protection.

Solving these problems requires changes in how humans use water and land. Governments can enforce laws that limit pollution and regulate groundwater pumping. Farmers can adopt practices that reduce chemical runoff and use water more efficiently. Cities can design green spaces and permeable surfaces that allow rainwater to soak into the ground. Individuals can conserve water in their daily lives and support policies that protect water sources. Understanding how human activities impact freshwater is the first step toward ensuring this vital resource remains available for future generations.

Interesting Fact: The Ogallala Aquifer, which lies beneath eight states in the Great Plains, provides water for about one-fifth of U.S. cropland but is being depleted 8 times faster than nature can refill it.

What percentage of Earth's water is freshwater?

About 3%About 25%About 50%About 75%

What is runoff?

Water stored in underground aquifersWater that flows over land and carries substances into water bodiesThe process of water evaporating from lakesRainwater that freezes in glaciers

What happens when too much groundwater is extracted from an aquifer?

The aquifer fills up with saltwaterThe water becomes polluted with chemicalsThe water table drops and wells must be drilled deeperThe aquifer produces more water naturally

According to the passage, what is infiltration?

The process by which factories release chemicals into riversThe collapse of rock and soil into empty aquifer spacesThe process by which water soaks into the groundThe pumping of groundwater for agricultural use

How do land use changes affect freshwater availability?

They increase the amount of water in aquifersThey prevent rainwater from soaking into the ground and recharging aquifersThey filter pollutants from water sourcesThey have no effect on freshwater supplies

Based on the passage, which of the following is an example of pollution affecting freshwater?

A city building more parks with treesFarmers using fertilizers that wash into streams during rainstormsA community drilling deeper wellsNatural rainfall refilling an aquifer

Why does the passage describe freshwater as a finite resource?

Because there is an unlimited supply availableBecause it can be created easily in laboratoriesBecause there is a limited amount that requires careful managementBecause it only exists in one location on Earth

What can cities do to help rainwater recharge aquifers?

Cover all surfaces with concrete and asphaltDesign green spaces and permeable surfaces that allow water to soak into the groundPump more groundwater from aquifersRemove all trees from urban areas

True or False: The Ogallala Aquifer is being refilled by nature faster than it is being depleted.

TrueFalse

True or False: Pollution, over-extraction, and land use changes are interconnected problems that affect freshwater supply.

TrueFalse