44
Z. Michalczyk and J. Sposób
4.1 Introduction
Water – as a chemical compound of an atom of oxygen and two atoms of hydrogen
– occurs in nature in three states of concentration. It participates in physical, chemical, and biological processes occurring in nature. It is used in the economy and in
recreation. It is the basic component of the natural environment with unique and
irreplaceable properties. It is also necessary for the functioning of life. Water determines the physical and chemical processes occurring in the natural environment,
as well as the development of the life and health of all ecosystems. It affects the
development of agriculture and food production. It is used for transport. It participates in industrial processes and is necessary for maintaining personal hygiene. Its
resources in the hydrosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere are constant
on the global scale. They are theoretically unlimited, although acceptable by living
organisms, they are always subject to reduction by human pressure. Water existed
on our planet long before any life form appeared. It alone created the environment
of development of biological and biophysical processes leading to the creation of
life, its maintenance, and development. The origin of water in the atmosphere and
the history of its precipitation on the Earth’s surface resulting in the development
of the hydrosphere are still uncertain. The erosion of rocks and deposition of sediments suggest deep changes in the manner of interaction between the atmosphere
and hydrosphere in the prehistoric times, determining the conditions of life on Earth.
Water is one of the treasures of nature with the slow renewal of resources, forcing its
rational and economical use. The occurring periods of both water excess and deficits
are dangerous for the economic growth of the region and country. The right to access
to safe, clean, and affordable drinking water and sanitary infrastructure is commonly
considered the fundamental human right.
The problem of access to water of suitable quality is currently becoming one of
the most critical challenges for humanity, particularly in the context of the observed
climate changes [1, 2]. According to the United Nations Organisation, approximately
2 billion people on Earth currently have no access to safe drinking water. Lack of
access to good water caused the proclamation of the years 2005–2015 as the International Water for Life Decade by the General Assembly of the United Nations. On 22
March 2018, members of the UN General Assembly inaugurated the Water Decade,
officially described as the International Decade of Action “Water for Sustainable
Development”, with emphasis on sustainable development and development of the
integrated process of management of water resources [3].
The undertaken measures aimed at better management of freshwater resources,
and providing humanity with good quality and healthy water. This requires the protection of water sources, and construction of systems of storage and transport of suitably
treated water, as well as the provision of use of sanitary infrastructure.
Z. Michalczyk and J. Sposób
4.1 Introduction
Water – as a chemical compound of an atom of oxygen and two atoms of hydrogen
– occurs in nature in three states of concentration. It participates in physical, chemical, and biological processes occurring in nature. It is used in the economy and in
recreation. It is the basic component of the natural environment with unique and
irreplaceable properties. It is also necessary for the functioning of life. Water determines the physical and chemical processes occurring in the natural environment,
as well as the development of the life and health of all ecosystems. It affects the
development of agriculture and food production. It is used for transport. It participates in industrial processes and is necessary for maintaining personal hygiene. Its
resources in the hydrosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere are constant
on the global scale. They are theoretically unlimited, although acceptable by living
organisms, they are always subject to reduction by human pressure. Water existed
on our planet long before any life form appeared. It alone created the environment
of development of biological and biophysical processes leading to the creation of
life, its maintenance, and development. The origin of water in the atmosphere and
the history of its precipitation on the Earth’s surface resulting in the development
of the hydrosphere are still uncertain. The erosion of rocks and deposition of sediments suggest deep changes in the manner of interaction between the atmosphere
and hydrosphere in the prehistoric times, determining the conditions of life on Earth.
Water is one of the treasures of nature with the slow renewal of resources, forcing its
rational and economical use. The occurring periods of both water excess and deficits
are dangerous for the economic growth of the region and country. The right to access
to safe, clean, and affordable drinking water and sanitary infrastructure is commonly
considered the fundamental human right.
The problem of access to water of suitable quality is currently becoming one of
the most critical challenges for humanity, particularly in the context of the observed
climate changes [1, 2]. According to the United Nations Organisation, approximately
2 billion people on Earth currently have no access to safe drinking water. Lack of
access to good water caused the proclamation of the years 2005–2015 as the International Water for Life Decade by the General Assembly of the United Nations. On 22
March 2018, members of the UN General Assembly inaugurated the Water Decade,
officially described as the International Decade of Action “Water for Sustainable
Development”, with emphasis on sustainable development and development of the
integrated process of management of water resources [3].
The undertaken measures aimed at better management of freshwater resources,
and providing humanity with good quality and healthy water. This requires the protection of water sources, and construction of systems of storage and transport of suitably
treated water, as well as the provision of use of sanitary infrastructure.