奇速英语

Where does the water in our homes come from? How do people change sea water into fresh water? How does water come into our homes? This passage will answer these questions.

In most places, people get their water from lakes and rivers. The water is usually seen all year round. In some places, people get their water from under the ground. They use wells to get the water. In some other places, windmills (风车) are used to get water from under the ground. In some country areas away from the city water supply, people collect rainwater that falls on their roofs (房顶). Pipes from the roofs lead the water into tanks (罐子). The water from rainwater tanks is usually clean enough to drink.

In some countries that are in need of water, fresh water is made from sea water in special treatment factories. This is called desalination (脱盐). In most treatment factories, salt water is heated until it turns into steam (蒸汽) and the salt is left behind. When the steam is cooled, it becomes fresh water. Only a little salt is left in the fresh water. This makes the water taste better and also stops the pure water taking salts and minerals (矿物质) out of our bodies.

Have you seen tanks or towers on the tops of buildings? These tanks or towers are used for storing clean water. Before the water is put into these tanks or towers, it goes to a water treatment factory. Some water from rivers or lakes is not clean. If we drink it directly, we may be ill. In the water treatment factory, workers make the water clean and safe for people to drink. Then pipes bring the water to our homes.

Water is very important for all living things, but sometimes there is not enough water. We should use water wisely.