Human Causes Of Water Insecurity

Question 1

Water insecurity can be caused by human factors including

Answer 1

River + aquifer over-abstraction
Agricultural water contamination
Industrial water pollution

Question 2

Rivers + aquifers over-abstraction

Answer 2

Globally = 20% of all aquifers are considered 2 be over-abstracted
E.g. Rajasthan = India Coca Cola bottling factories have abstracted water so quickly = water table dropped over 15 meters = 10 years. Lead 2 bore holes being drilled by local farmers in search of water as their personal wells + reservoirs ran dry - leading 2 protests

Question 3

Agricultural water contamination

Answer 3

Water can be contained beyond human use = ag water products
E.g. excess fertilisers/pesticides can be washed away by rainwater resulting in that water being too contaminated 4 human consumption
Ag is the single largest user of water. 70% of the worlds water is used for agriculture rising = 90% in developing countries. Means a sig amount of available water = contaminated

Question 4

Industrial water pollution

Answer 4

LACK OF REGULATION of the waste products entering the river + water systems. Allows pollutant + other waste products 2 contaminate waterways.
MINING causes dangerous metals 2 enter the water systems
UNTREATED SEWAGE leads 2 harmful bacteria being consumed by those using that water