Which are important sources of surface water supplies?

Prepare for the American Water Works Water Treatment Plant Operator Test. Study with multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready to excel!

Surface water supplies come from bodies of water that are on the land’s surface. Lakes and rivers are the primary sources because they provide accessible, existing sources that can be collected, stored in reservoirs, and treated for distribution. Desalinated water is produced from seawater after treatment, not from surface freshwater bodies. Groundwater is underground water stored in aquifers, not surface water. While rainwater can contribute, it is not a reliable large-scale surface water source by itself, so lakes and rivers remain the main sources for most municipal supplies.