14.1: Water - Some Unique Properties 14.2: Water in Nature Water 's influence on the world around us is affected by its unique properties some of which where discussed in the previous section. Without water, life might not be able to exist on Earth, and it certainly would not have the tremendous complexity and diversity that we see. 14.3: Chemical and Biological Contamination 14.4: Groundwater Contamination to Tainted Tap Water 14.5: Water Who Uses It and How Much? 14.6: Making Water Fit to Drink 14.7: 14.7?- Making Water Fit to Drink 14.8: Wastewater and Sewage Treatment Thumbnail: Acid mine drainage in the Rio Tinto River. (Public Domain; Carol Stoker @ NASA via ).