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Geography > Theme 3 - 3.6 - Water > Flashcards

Theme 3 - 3.6 - Water Flashcards

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1
Q

Define water supply.

A

The provision of water by public utilities, commercial organisations or by community endeavours.

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2
Q

Define dam.

A

A barrier that holds back water.

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3
Q

Define reservoir.

A

An artificial lake primarily used for storing water.

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4
Q

Define wells and boreholes.

A

A means of tapping into various types of aquifers, gaining access to groundwater.

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5
Q

Define potable water.

A

Water that is free from impurities, pollution and bacteria, and thus is safe to drink.

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6
Q

Define water stress.

A

When water supply is below 1700 cubic metres per person per year.

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7
Q

What are some different methods of water supply?

A
  • Reservoirs/Dams
  • Wells
  • Boreholes
  • Desalination
  • Aquifers (+ wells)
  • Rivers/Lakes
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8
Q

What are some advantages and disadvantages of reservoirs/dams for water supply?

A

ADV.
• Stores water during prolonged periods of rain
• Water can be used to generate HEP
DIS.
• Expensive to build
• Building dams can flood areas
• Eroded material is trapped by the dam, reducing fertility of land downstream
• Water is lost in hot countries due to evaporation

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9
Q

What are some advantages and disadvantages of rivers/lakes for water supply?

A 
ADV.
• No construction needed
• Can be used for other activities 
DIS.
• Risk of flooding
• Rivers don't trap water during heavy rainfall
• Are easily polluted
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10
Q

What are some advantages and disadvantages of desalination for water supply?

A 
ADV.
• It preserves fresh water supplies
• Not dependent on changing factors (e.g. weather)
• Proven method which is scientifically backed -> Reliable
DIS.
• Plants are expensive to build
• Expensive process
• Requires lots of energy
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11
Q

What are some advantages and disadvantages of wells and bore holes for water supply?

A 
ADV.
• Self-sufficiency 
• Cheap
DIS.
• Easily contaminated
• Danger of falling in
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12
Q

What are the main sources of water around the world?

A

Lakes and rivers

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13
Q

Describe the global water crisis.

A
  • Lack of water is a constant threat in about 80 countries, with 40% of the world’s population.
  • Demand for water is doubling every 20 years
  • In poor countries, water supplies are often polluted
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14
Q

What are on-channel and off-channel reservoirs?

A

On-channel: Dam built across an existing river

Off-channel: Natural and human dug depressions which hold water

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15
Q

What is an aquifer?

A

An underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock, from which water can be extracted.

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16
Q

How is what extracted from an aquifer?

A

Wells are used.

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17
Q

In the 20th Century, what allowed water consumption to rise?

A

The building of many new dams.

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18
Q

Why are not many new dams being built as what can be done instead?

A

The best locations are already taken or are strongly protected. Instead, existing dams can sometimes be made higher to increase the reservoir capacity.

19
Q

How much of the world water supply do aquifers account for?

A

Drinking water - 50%
Industry - 40%
Irrigation water - 30%

20
Q

What is water from a well/aquifer known as?

A

Groundwater

21
Q

How much of the UK water supply comes from groundwater (aquifers)?

A

35%

22
Q

Where is groundwater (aquifers) most important?

A

Arid and semi-arid areas.

23
Q

Where is desalination common and why is this possible?

A
  • In the Middle East, where other forms of water supply are scarce.
  • It is possible because waste gases from oil wells are used. Otherwise, it would be very expensive.
24
Q

Why is desalination not very common?

A

It is expensive.

25
Q

How does total water use change with development?

A

It increases.

26
Q

Give some reasons why total water use is higher in MEDCs than LEDCs.

A
  • More electricity has to be generated
  • More industrial activity
  • People can afford to use more water
27
Q

Describe water use by type in LEDCs.

A
  • Most used in agriculture

* Little used in industry and domestic use

28
Q

Describe water use by type in MEDCs.

A
  • Most used industry
  • Less used in agriculture (but still can be a lot)
  • More used for domestic use
29
Q

Is water use in agriculture in MEDCs always low?

A

No, not always. There are exceptions such as the US, which use a large percentage in agriculture.

30
Q

Does water supply depend only on precipitation amounts?

A

No, water supply is what matters. It could rain a lot, but there may be no way of collecting and storing this water, for example.

31
Q

Describe the uneven precipitation in the world.

A
  • Over 60% of the world population live in areas receiving only 25% of the world annual precipitation.
  • Arid regions cover 40% of the world’s land area, but receive only 2% of global precipitation.
32
Q

What are the two types of water scarcity?

A
  • Physical water scarcity

* Economic water scarcity

33
Q

What is physical water scarcity?

A

When physical access to water is limited

34
Q

What is economic water scarcity?

A

When a population does not have the enough money to make use of a source of water.

35
Q

Which regions usually suffer due to physical water scarcity?

A

Arid and semi-arid regions in the world.

36
Q

Which regions usually suffer due to economic water scarcity?

A

Much of sub-Saharan Africa.

37
Q

What are some reasons for water scarcity?

A 
INCREASING DEMAND
• Increasing population
• Increasing agricultural, industrial and domestic use
• Increased energy production
FALLING SUPPLY
• Climate change
• Groundwater depletion
• Pollution (due to sewage, etc.)
• Deforestation -> Trees prevent excessive evaporation
• Political issues + War
• Mismanagement 
• Uneven precipitation distribution
38
Q

What are some impacts of lack of access to clean water on local people?

A
  • Agricultural loss
  • Famine
  • Animals dying
  • Loss of income
  • Disease/Illness -> Death
  • Children have to walk far to get water -> Can’t get education
  • Sanitation issues (e.g. can’t wash)
39
Q

What are the impacts of lack of access to clean water on economic development?

A
  • Less water for agriculture and industry -> LEDCs reliant on agriculture
  • Worker efficiency reduced -> Diseases and tiredness
  • Tourism is reduced (people don’t want to visit that place)
  • Higher cost of water mean people have less money to spend on other things which fuel the economy
  • Production of water-intensive goods (e.g. cars) is reduced
  • Limits production of biofuels
40
Q

How can a lack of water lead to competition and conflict?

A
  • In Yemen, 70-80% of rural conflicts are due to water-related disputes
  • In 2012, in Kenya, over 100 people were killed in clashes between farmers and cattle grazers
  • During drought, large companies fight over water
41
Q

What are the two ways in which water conflicts may happen?

A
  1. Demand for water exceeds supply

2. Control over access and allocation of water may be disputed

42
Q

How can water supplies be managed?

A
  • More sustainable use (e.g. taking a shower instead of a bath)
  • Increasing cost of water to encourage lower use
  • Finding new ways to exploit alternative sources instead of those being depleted
  • Piping water from areas with a surplus to areas with a lack
  • Making sure that water supply is of good quality
  • Making sure that broken pipes are mended
  • Developing more efficient irrigation systems
  • Educating people about water use
  • Recycle water
43
Q

What is sustainable water use?

A

Using water supplies whilst maintaining levels for use in the future.

44
Q

Who’s responsibility is sustainable water use?

A

Both a national and individual responsibility.

Geography (20 decks)

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