People are 86 percent water, and they need huge quantities of it for drinking, for washing, for irrigating and for manufacturing. They use water for travel, freight and recreation. They eat hundreds of different foods that grow in water—everything from an oyster to an octopus.

The Junior Science Book of Water tells what water is and how it is formed. It explains how the water cycle has been working for millions of years. It describes the water table and the vast underground reservoirs, or aquifers. And it frankly discusses man's use and misuse of water and the land.

Our cities and industrial plants have poisoned the streams, lakes and seashore. Fisheries have been almost destroyed and large stretches of waterfront are no longer safe for swimming. In addition, our nation faces an acute water shortage, and many communities have had to restrict the use of the precious liquid. There is hope today that we may learn from our costly mistakes. Ottis Peterson tells what must be done to provide enough pure water for our expanding population.

From the dust jacket