Final answer:
Vancouver's water supply originates from surface sources within its watershed, with urban areas also drawing from groundwater. Treatment facilities ensure the water is safe for consumption. Other regions sometimes face challenges in securing sufficient water supplies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Vancouver's water supply primarily comes from surface sources such as lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. These sources are part of the wider watershed that collect precipitation to feed into these freshwater bodies.
Urban water supplies, including that of Vancouver, may also come from groundwater sources and even sophisticated recycling systems in certain scenarios. Water suppliers treat this water to make it safe for consumption, so when you turn on the kitchen faucet, you're receiving water that's been processed through treatment facilities.
Not all places are as fortunate in their water supplies. Some areas, like Mexico City or Southern California, face challenges due to insufficient water sources or infrastructure issues, leading them to seek water from across mountains or underground aquifers, which can have negative environmental impacts.