Which of the following is an advantage of surface water?

• A. Easy to access
• B. Low turbidity
• C. Stable temperature
• D. Consistent supply

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how surface water sources compare in practicality for supplying water. Surface water from rivers and lakes sits at or near the ground level, often right in or near towns. This makes intake structures simpler and allows shorter, cheaper conveyance and pumping to treatment facilities. In other words, you can access it more readily and with less strenuous infrastructure than pulling water from deep underground.

However, surface water usually has higher turbidity and more contaminants from runoff, so low turbidity isn’t a natural advantage of surface sources. Temperature tends to fluctuate with seasons, not remain stable, so a stable temperature isn’t a typical benefit. And surface water availability can vary with rainfall and drought, so a consistently reliable supply isn’t guaranteed. Among the options, easy access best captures the practical advantage of surface water.