water Flashcards
water scarcity
the lack of sufficient available water resources to meet the demands of water usage within a region.
boreholes
tap into deep groundwater stocks and pump it to the surface either with diesel or hand pump.
desalination
The extraction of fresh water from salty sea water
reasons for growing demand for water
- population increase
- rising food demands
- consumption of more meat
- industrialisation
- rising energy demands
importance of boreholes
- 75% of African populations relay on groundwater
- The majority use boreholes as they are low cost
water scarcity problems
- 800million people did not have access to clean water in 2020
- 500,000 died in 2020 due to drinking dirty water
- due to lack of economic development LICs rely on water trucks, which are expensive,
water scarcity
The capacity of a population to safeguard sustainable access to adequate quantities of and acceptable quality water for sustaining livelihoods, human well-being, and socio-economic development… (UN)
physical water scarcity
When the availability water dies not need the demand for water due to natural physical factors
economic water scarcity
When there is insufficient infrastructure to supply sufficient quantity or quality of water to meet demand
virtual water
Water that is not directly consumed but is used to produce food and other products.
reasons for water shortages
- climate
- pollution
- over-abstraction
- limited infrastructure
- poverty
how to reduce water waste
- Agriculture – drip feed irrigation systems save 70% of water.
- Industry – recycle waste water e.g. when using water as coolant in steel making.
- Domestically – Install more efficient appliances, collect rainwater, shower instead of having a bath, install a greywater system.
