water supply
B2neutral to formal
Definition
Meaning
The system or arrangement for providing water to a community, building, or area.
1) The available quantity of water from a particular source; 2) An organization or utility responsible for providing water; 3) The infrastructure (pipes, reservoirs, treatment plants) that delivers water.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This compound noun typically functions as a singular countable noun when referring to a specific system, but can be uncountable when referring to the general availability of water. It often implies a managed, engineered system rather than a natural source.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; both varieties use 'water supply' identically. However, in technical contexts, Americans might use 'water utility' more frequently for the organization.
Connotations
In British English, 'water supply' may more strongly evoke the public utility sector (e.g., 'the water supply board'), while in American English it can equally refer to private well systems.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties. Slightly higher frequency in British English in public administration contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] + water supply: maintain/secure/protect/contaminate the water supply[adjective] + water supply: reliable/safe/adequate/public water supplywater supply + [prepositional phrase]: water supply to the city/for agriculture/in the regionVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The well of [something] has run dry (metaphorically related to supply exhaustion)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Companies must ensure their operations don't negatively impact the local water supply.
Academic
The study examined the relationship between agricultural practices and groundwater supply sustainability.
Everyday
They turned off the main valve, so there's no water supply to the bathroom right now.
Technical
The engineering report assessed the water supply infrastructure's resilience to seismic events.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The council will water-supply the new estate next year.
American English
- The developer needs to water-supply the subdivision before construction.
adjective
British English
- The water-supply infrastructure requires urgent investment.
American English
- They conducted a water-supply assessment for the county.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The water supply in our house comes from a tap.
- Is there a water supply in the village?
- The hotel has its own water supply from a well.
- A broken pipe interrupted the water supply for three hours.
- The city's water supply is threatened by industrial pollution.
- Engineers are working to secure a sustainable water supply for the growing population.
- Climate change models predict increased stress on regional water supplies.
- The privatization of the municipal water supply remains a contentious political issue.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SUPPLY truck delivering bottled WATER to a town—it's providing their water supply.
Conceptual Metaphor
WATER IS A COMMODITY/FLOWING RESOURCE (supply suggests inventory management and distribution).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'вода поставка'—this is incorrect. The correct equivalent is 'водоснабжение'.
- Avoid confusing with 'water delivery' (доставка воды), which refers specifically to transportation of water, not the infrastructure.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'water supplier' when meaning the system (not the company).
- Using plural 'water supplies' incorrectly for a single system (e.g., 'The water supply in London are old' → should be 'is old').
- Confusing with 'water source' (natural origin) vs. 'water supply' (managed distribution).
Practice
Quiz
Which term is most closely related to 'water supply'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be both. When referring to a specific system (e.g., London's water supply), it's countable. When referring to the general availability of water (e.g., ensure water supply), it's uncountable.
'Water source' refers to the natural origin (lake, river, aquifer). 'Water supply' includes the entire system that collects, treats, and delivers water from the source to users.
Yes, in contexts like 'the local water supply' it can refer metonymically to the utility company, though 'water utility' is more precise.
No significant differences in meaning or usage, though institutional names may vary (e.g., 'Water Board' vs. 'Water Department').
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