Definition

Noun: A system or facility that provides water for a community, area, or building. It refers to the infrastructure and source that delivers water for drinking, sanitation, and other uses.

Usage

The term "water supply" is used to discuss the availability, quality, and management of the water provided to a population or location. It is a singular, countable noun often preceded by "the."

Examples

• The city's water supply comes from a nearby reservoir.
• A severe drought threatened the region's water supply.
• The engineers are working to improve the water supply for the new development.
• Contamination of the water supply is a serious public health concern.

Advanced Usage

• "to cut off the water supply": To stop the flow of water, often as a deliberate action.
  • The landlord can cut off the water supply for non-payment of bills.
• "security of the water supply": Refers to the reliability and protection of the water system from threats.
  • Climate change poses a major risk to the long-term security of our water supply.

Variants and Related Words

• Waterworks (n): The physical structures (like pumps, pipes, and treatment plants) that constitute a public water supply system.
• Water source (n): The specific origin of the water, such as a river, lake, or aquifer.
• Water system (n): A broader term that can refer to the network for supplying water or for removing wastewater.

Synonyms

• Water provision
• Water service
• Water infrastructure

Notes on Different Meanings

"Water supply" functions primarily as a compound noun with the specific meaning defined above. Its meaning is distinct from simply having a supply (an amount) of water, as it implies an organized, functional system. For example, "a supply of bottled water" is not a "water supply" in this infrastructural sense.

Noun

1. a facility that provides a source of water
   • the town debated the purification of the water supply
   • first you have to cut off the water