CORM - Global Water Supply

Question 1

What does it mean for a region to be with water surplus?

Answer 1

supply of water which exceeds demand

Question 2

What does it mean for a region to be with water deficit?

Answer 2

demand exceeds supply

Question 3

What is water security?

Answer 3

having access to enough clean water to sustain well-being, good health and economic development

Question 4

What is water insecurity?

Answer 4

regions do not have access to sufficient water supplies

Question 5

What is water stress?

Answer 5

in countries when less than 1700 metres-cubed is available per person per year

Question 6

What are the factors affecting water availability?

Answer 6

geology, climate, over-abstraction, pollution, limited infrastructure, poverty

Question 7

Describe waterborne diseases and water pollution caused by water insecurity.

Answer 7

cholera

over one billion litres of raw sewage enter the River Ganges each day

Question 8

Describe the impact on food production from water insecurity.

Answer 8

agriculture uses 70% of global water supply

River Nile expected to reduce its flow by 90% by 2100

Question 9

Describe the impact on industrial output from water insecurity.

Answer 9

water shortages cost China US$40 billion in lower industrial production

Question 10

Describe water conflict caused by water insecurity.

Answer 10

reservoir construction

Turkey built many dams on Tigris and and Euphrates Rivers causing anger in Iraq and Syria

Question 11

What are the strategies for increasing water supply?

Answer 11

diverting water and increasing storage
water transfer
dams and reservoirs
desalination

Question 12

What are the:
1. advantages
2. disadvantages
of the use of dams and reservoirs to increase water supply?

Answer 12

1. control river flow, enables it to be transported

2. expensive, displacement of many people

Question 13

Describe the process of desalination for increasing water supply.

Answer 13

removing salt from salt water
very expensive
only used when there’s a serious shortage and few alternatives
Saudi Arabia

Question 14

How does groundwater management create a sustainable supply for water?

Answer 14

underground aquifers
water abstraction and recharge is balanced
water treatment expensive but necessary if groundwater levels fall

Question 15

What is the PGM Scheme in India?

Answer 15

groundwater management
training local people how to monitor it
helping farmers to plan how much water they use for irrigation

Question 16

How does using grey water create a sustainable supply for water?

Answer 16

used within 24 hours is a fertiliser

Jordan, 70% of water for irrigation and gardens is grey water

Question 17

How does recycling create a sustainable supply for water?

Answer 17

re-using treated wastewater for irrigation and industry

nuclear power plant in Arizona uses recycled water for cooling

Question 18

What are ways to conserve water?

Answer 18

reduce leakages, improve public awareness, water meters