Dams
Since antiquity humans have thrown debris across watersheds to dam water and extend the supply of water more evenly throughout the year. Likely humans first followed the example of the beaver, but now we have progressed to the point that the Three Gorges Dam in China holds over 10-trillion gallons of water which would last 100-million people for a year.
Aqueducts, Pipelines and Canals
When people think of canals, they often think of locations like Venice with about thirty-eight miles of canals. Yet, currently California has over 4000 miles of canals, primarily for agricultural irrigation. A Roman aqueduct contained a meager amount of water flow compare to modern leviathans which handle thousands of time the flow of these relics.
Water Workers
To operate water plants and water facilities, one must possess certain licenses and certifications. There are thousands of people holding these certifications throughout the United States. Additionally, a whole class of administrators, compliance officers, maintenance personnel, laboratory chemists, executives, engineers and builders drives the water supply. No qualified people, no tap water.
Pump Stations
Water and sewage are pumped to move the fluid. Entire companies dedicate themselves to supply and maintain the pumps need for the U.S. water supply.
Treatment and Distribution Systems
Think of a leaf with the stem being where one could place a treatment plant and the distribution system being the veins branching out from the leaf. So does a local water provider treat and distribute water to their customers, primarily residents.
Collection Systems
Certainly not always present to fathom, yet waste collection stands as a key to sanitary urban life, the difference between flush and forget and a cholera outbreak. The proper operation of a collection and treatment systems protects human lives and the environment.
Water Districts
Who knew that we would need bureaucracy and lawyering for our water supply to function. Although when examined realistically, of course public accountability and legal restriction would be required to fairly provide a critically important resource that consumes a prodigious amount of public money.