Resource Managment - Global Water Part 1 Flashcards
water security
reliable supply of water at an acceptable quality
water insecurity
not acceptable supply of water at an acceptable quality
main sources
- rivers
- lakes
- aquifers
- resevoirs
factors affecting global water
climate
regions w/ higher rainfall = usually surplus
vice versa
factors affecting global water
geology
- infiltration in permeable rock builds up groundwater
- most of londons water comes from chalk underneath
factors affecting global water
pollution of supply
- caused by growing use of chemicals in farming
- open sewers
- leads to waterborne diseases
factors affecting global water
over abstraction
- pumping water out of the ground faster than it is replaced by rainfall
- = wells dry up, sinking water table, higher pumping costs
lower water table = rivers arent fed by springs in dry season
factors affecting global water
limited infrastructure
poorer countries may lack the infrastructure for transporting water
factors affecting global water
poverty
poorer communities tend to lack water
population growth
increasing consumption of water for domestic use
economic development
growth of commercial agriculture, thirsty manufacturing industries, living standards
uses of freshwater
- domestic
- agricultural
- industrial
- energy
- leisure
health risks of polluted water
- cholera
- malaria
- dysentery
- typhoid
impact of water insecurity on
food production
- uses 70% of water supply
- commercial agri and livestock quality decline
impact of water insecurity on
industrial output
- power stations and coal mining close when water shortage
- cost of water increases –> reduced profability of economic activities
- increased product pirce –> reduce sales
