Year 3 - Geography
Water supply and demand in the UK
The water cycle: why is it important?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit introduces the water cycle and explores how water moves through natural and built environments. Pupils investigate how water is used, supplied and owned, and consider how access to water differs in the UK and around the world.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain why there is a need to move water from place to place in the UK to meet demand, and how this is done.
Key Notes
- In the UK, water comes from surface water sources (rivers, lakes, reservoirs) and underground water sources (aquifers).
- The greatest demand for water in the UK comes from areas that have the least water supply.
- Reservoirs collect water in the wettest parts of the UK, to pipe to cities and towns in other areas for drinking water.
Vocabulary To Learn
- reservoir: A reservoir is a lake built behind a dam to store water.
- aquifer: Aquifers are porous rocks that can store and filter water.
- pipeline: Pipelines transfer something from one place to another, usually a liquid or a gas.
- consumption: Consumption is the process of using up resources.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- That aquifers are soaking wet and we can see or feel them.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this geography topic using two clear key points.
In the UK, water comes from surface water sources (rivers, lakes, reservoirs) and underground water sources (aquifers). The greatest demand for water in the UK comes from areas that have the least water supply.
2. Define this geography term and use it in an example. 'reservoir'
A reservoir is a lake built behind a dam to store water.
3. Correct this common geography misunderstanding.
Mistake: That aquifers are soaking wet and we can see or feel them. Correction: Aquifers are areas of porous rock deep underground, we can not see or feel them from the surface. Rocks, like cliff faces or outcrops that we can see are not soaking wet because the water is found far deeper within the aquifer.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 3 Geography guide library.