water Flashcards
what is water security
areas of water surplus, can provide enough water to meet everyone’s needs
what is water insecurity
areas of water deficit, not having enough clean water for everyone
areas of water insecurity
Libya, Mexico
areas of water security
canada, brazil
reasons for increasing demand for water
rising population and economic development
demand for water increase - rising population
more people require water, water needed for agriculture
demand for water increase - economic development - 3
industrialisation
energy production
rising living standards
how much water is used to produce energy per year
50 billion m3
physical factors affecting water availability
climate
geology
economic and social factors affecting water availability - 4
over-abstraction
polluted water sources
limited infrastructure
poverty
what is over-abstraction
when more water from natural sources is used than is replaced, caused by population growth, high demand from businesses and improvements in sanitation
impacts of water insecurity - 4
pollution and disease
reduced food production
reduced industrial output
conflict where countries share a water supply
strategies to increase water supply - 4
dams and reservoirs
water diversion
water transfer
desalination
how does water diversion work
dam is built to raise a river’s water level and redirect water to new location
how is water transferred in water transfer schemes
canals, pipes, pumping stations, aqueducts
what is desalination
removes salt from seawater so it can be used
2 processes of desalination.
heated until evaporates
passed through a membrane that removes salt
how much of Dubai’s water is supplied through desalination
98.8%
what are the disadvantages of desalination
expensive, as energy is needed to heat the water or force it through the membranes
why is northern China an area of water insecurity
its dry climate means there is a limited supply of water, its large population, agriculture and industry mean that demand for water is high
how is the problem of water insecurity in china being solved
water transfer project to move water from the more humid south to the drier north
how does the water transfer scheme work
network of canals and tunnels to move 44.8 billion cubic metres from the humid south to the north
advantages of the water transfer scheme - 4
100 million people benefit
supports economic development
allows more crops, supports agriculture
expected to reach its capacity by 2050
disadvantages of the water transfer scheme - 4
costs more than $60 billion
communities displaced, farmland and natural habitats damaged
doesn’t provide for rural areas
creating water scarcity in the south
sustainable water supplies - 4
water conservation
groundwater management
recycling
grey water
how much of water is lost due to leaks
20%
water conservation examples - 4
dual flush toilet
efficient washing machines
irrigating farmland directly where its needed
water metres
what is groundwater management
amount of groundwater is monitored to prevent it from being removed faster than it is naturally replaced
farmers are encouraged to use fewer artificial fertilisers and pesticides to prevent pollution
grey water
water that is reused immediately without being treated, used for irrigation, washing cars and flushing toilets
conserves energy but is expensive
where is Hitosa
ethiopia
what type of country is Ethiopia
LIC
what is Hitosa’s water scheme
takes water from high level springs, causing it to flow through 140km of pipelines to 100 public water points and 150 private connections
success of Hitosa water scheme
construction was completed on time and within cost
managed by local communities
supplies over 65,000 people
problems of Hitosa water scheme
pipeline may be too costly to replace after its expected life of 30 years
hygiene neglected
agriculture uses too much of water
