Final answer:
Water quality is affected by pollutants like methane and leaked chemicals, while the quantity of water is affected by withdrawals from low-supply areas. Certain activities can impact both, but were not explicit in the provided statements. option A. Water is withdrawn from low-supply areas is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The quality of water and quantity of water are critical aspects of our environment that are affected by both natural processes and human activities. In addressing the student's question, we categorize the statements as follows:
- A. Water is withdrawn from low-supply areas - impacts the quantity of water.
- B. Methane makes the water supply flammable - impacts the quality of water.
- C. The high water pressure generates small-scale earthquakes - while this does not directly impact water quality or quantity, the associated processes can affect both, though not mentioned explicitly in the provided statements.
- D. Water mixed with chemicals leaches into groundwater - affects the quality of water.
Human activities such as the overuse of fertilizers leading to eutrophication, the introduction of contaminants like pesticides into the water supply, and pollution from untreated wastes can degrade the quality of water significantly. Moreover, groundwater pollution from sources such as leaking underground fuel storage tanks further threatens water quality. On the other hand, the withdrawal of water from areas with a low supply, often due to human demand, has a direct impact on the availability or quantity of this precious resource.