EQ3 5.8 CONSEQUENCES AND RISKS OF WATER INSECURITY

Question 1

What does the price of water depend on

Answer 1

The price of water varies across the world, as well as the proportion of the local’s income. This is dependent on a variety of factors including access to water but also the effectiveness of the infrastructure.

Question 2

development of water sources

Answer 2

Governments have often charged a service fee for access to water. This was particularly established in emerging and developing countries during colonisation.
As populations have expanded around the basic infrastructure the governments have passed on the responsibility to external businesses - referred to as Privatisation.
Privatisation often requires residents to pay more to make the investment of these businesses cost effective.

Question 3

water privatisation example : Bolivia

Answer 3

In 1999, the water company Agua del Tunari took over the Cochabamba city water system in Bolivia.
The company raised the prices until they were the equivalent to 20% of the average income.
Agua del Tunari said that 95% of people had access to the water. The poorest communities could not afford the fee to attach water to their homes so they attached themselves illegally and protested for four days until the Bolivian government cancelled the contract.

Question 4

what is the water poverty index

Answer 4

The Water Poverty Index was developed in 2002 to help the UN reach the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs). It determines the quality, quantity and accessibility of water. it considers 5 principles

Question 5

what is the first principle of the water poverty index

Answer 5

The quality, quantity and availability of the water resources.

Question 6

what is the second principle of the water poverty index

Answer 6

The accessibility in terms of distance from water safe to drink, cook and for industrial and agricultural use.

Question 7

what is the third principle of the water poverty index

Answer 7

Handling capacity considers how affordable the water is and how effective the water management techniques are.

Question 8

what is the fourth principle of the water poverty index

Answer 8

The different proportions of water use in terms of domestic, agriculture and industry.

Question 9

what is the fifth principle of the water poverty index

Answer 9

Environmental sustainability in terms of the wider ecosystem.

Question 10

why is water supply important economically for energy supply

Answer 10

The majority of energy generation - especially via the combustion of fossil fuels - needs water in the form of steam to turn turbines that generate electricity.
Energy demands are increasing globally as electricity access increases and standard of livings improve, demanding more energy.

Question 11

why is water supply important economically for agriculture

Answer 11

There is a need to produce 60% more food by 2050 to feed the evergrowing population.
It is estimated that by 2050, food production will need 140% more water than it does currently.
The volume of water being used in agriculture is not sustainable, so we need to develop water-efficient farming methods and crops that need less water.

Question 12

why is water supply important economically for industry

Answer 12

Water supply needs to be of high quality and quantity for consistent industrial productivity. If this fails, it can lead to a reduction or temporary closure on production with large economic impacts.
Global demand for water to be used in industry is expected to increase by 400% between 2000 and 2050 because this sector is expanding in emerging and developing nations.
Pollution because of poor management of waste products is a threat that could lead to significantly reduced water supplies.

Question 13

why is water supply important economically for industry

Answer 13

Limited access to clean water, (i.e. Nigeria), increases the risk of disease and illness. Drinking unsafe water can give people Cholera that often targets the vulnerable.
335,000 children die of water born diseases in Nigeria a year and girls often miss education during menstruation because they have insufficient water for sanitation.
Locals take out loans to cover the medical expenses - leading to debt.
A positive correlation between GDP per capita and access to clean safe water exists.

Question 14

why is there international conflict over the river nile and river Mekong

Answer 14

The River Nile and the River Mekong flow through multiple countries and so conflicts arise internationally.

Question 15

the river nile background

Answer 15

The Nile is 6,700km long and is shared between 11 nations including; Uganda, Burundi, Sudan, Kenya and Egypt. There is a history of conflict between these nations over the river that is a vital resource.
Egypt has even threatened any country upstream of them that tries to dam the Nile River with War.

Question 16

why is there controversy over the river nile

Answer 16

In 1929, a Nile agreement between Egypt and the UK (Sudan was a British Colony at the time), gave Egypt complete anonymity over developments on the Nile. This agreement did not include any other countries that border the Nile.
In 2011, Ethiopia began the construction of a Grand Ethiopia Renaissance Dam, which Egypt contested.
In March 2015, Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan signed an agreement over the Dam. This has still not resolved the problems surrounding other Nations rights to water.

Question 17

why is there controversy over the river Mekong

Answer 17

The Mekong River provides water for Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and China.
Chinese dams at the headwaters threaten the water availability to nations that are further downstream.
These nations are also damming the river and taking in more water from the river.

Question 18

which country is an example of national water conflict

Answer 18

ethiopia

Question 19

what is the name of the dam built in Ethiopia

Answer 19

In Ethiopia, internal controversy has happened over the Gilgel Gibe III Dam on the Omo River, which began in 2008.

Question 20

the Gilgel Gibe III Dam

Answer 20

In Ethiopia, internal controversy has happened over the Gilgel Gibe III Dam on the Omo River, which began in 2008.
The cost of the dam was US$1.8 billion and it started generating electricity in late 2015.
200,000 people (largely indigenous residents) downstream of the Dam rely on the seasonal floodwaters to replenish the dry soils for their subsistence farming.

Question 21

what are the concerns in Ethiopia from the dam

Answer 21

Many ethnic groups (i.e. Mursi and Nyangatom) are already threatened by poor crop yield and the Gilgel Gibe III Dam threatens their livelihood and survival.
Tribal conflict is a concern because of the minimal water supplies.
The Dam’s potential impact on Lake Turkana (a World Heritage Site) did lead to UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee calling for the construction to be halted in 2011.
Lake Turkana’s water levels could drop 10 metres, increasing the salinity of the water and threatening 300,000 people and local wildlife.

Question 22

what do those in support of the dam say

Answer 22

Those in favour of the Gilgel Gibe III Dam say artificial floods could continue supporting the indigenous population and establishing large plantations of cotton and sugar cane could economically benefit these populations.
The Ethiopian army has been accused of human rights violations against those opposing the Dam and plantations.