- Water is very important to all living things on earth. All living things contain water and they need water to enable them to survive.

- Water is very important in our lives.

- Plants and animals need water to survive.

- We drink water when we are thirsty.

- The main source of water is rain.

- A source is where we get water from. Other sources of water are oceans, lakes, rivers, wells, springs, dams.

- Water is colourless and tasteless.

We can use water in various places and in various ways. We can use water at home, in the farm, for recreation, in industries and for transport.

• Drinking (drinking water must be boiled to kill germs).
• Washing clothes.
• Washing utensils.
• Cooking food.
• Washing our bodies (bathing).
• Watering plants.
• Watering animals.
• Sports (water sports) e.g. swimming

Uses of water at home

• We drink water for our survival. The water that we drink helps our bodies in various ways for example in transporting nutrients to all parts of our bodies and in digesting food.

• We use water to cook most of the foods that we eat. Water helps in making food soft. When we boil food in water, we also kill some germs in the food.

• To generate elctricity. 

• We use water to maintain proper hygiene, by washing utensils, clothes, the house and even our bodies. 

Uses of water on the farm

On the farm, water may be used for the following purposes:

• Watering crops. Plants need water for their survival. Water performs various functions in plants including transporting nutrients in all the parts of the plant and also in making food. Plants need water to grow.

• Water is also needed to provide drinking water for livestock. Without water livestock would die of thirst.

• Some farmers rear fish. They rear the fish in fishponds or in aquariums. These ponds or aquariums have to be provided with water to keep the fish alive.

• Water is also used to mix chemicals like pesticides that are used to spray both crops and animals.

Uses of water for recreation

Recreation means all the activities that we perform for enjoyment. Recreational activities that must be done on water include swimming, fishing, water skiing, surfing and boat racing.

Water may also be used in fish ponds to rear fish.

Uses of water in industry

• Water is used in industries to manufacture products. Examples of these products are soft drinks, distilled water, polythene paper and medicines.
• Industries use water to mix the chemicals that they use.
• Water is used in cooling down the machines that are used in industries and in cleaning these machines.

• Water is also used in generating electricity. This kind of electricity is known as hydroelectric power.

Uses of water for transport

Water can be used to transport people or goods across water bodies like rivers, lakes, seas and oceans.

When transporting people or goods through water we use canoes, boats, ferries and ships

Water may also be dangerous in the following ways

1. Water may carry harmful chemicals from factories which may be poisonous to living things. Water that is contaminated by these chemicals and other substances is called polluted water. It is not safe for drinking.
2. Water may spread germs that cause diseases. The diseases that are spread through water are called water borne diseases.
3. Excess water from rainfall may cause floods that may destroy crops, our houses and even kill animals. We may also drown in water.
4. Water washes away soil causing soil erosion.

Water is great for trees and the environment which we should protect for our children.
Wangari Maathai