Water Flashcards
Water transfer in the UK, water quality and pollution in the UK, water resources in the UK
Name one way of dealing with the water supply and demand problem in the UK.
Water transfer from areas of surplus to areas of deficit.
Give an example of smaller scale water transfer solutions in place in the UK.
Water is transferred from reservoirs in North Wales and the Lake District to cities such as Manchester and Liverpool in the densely populated north-west of England.
What percentage of water is supplied to homes and businesses in the UK?
5%
Where does the water supplied from homes and businesses in the UK come from?
It comes from water piped in from outside the immediate area.
Name one way local communities may be affected by the building of dams.
Local communities may be displaced for the building of dams.
Name 3 causes of water pollution.
- Chemicals, such as pesticides and fertilisers run off from farming land into rivers.
- Hot water used for cooling processes in industry, such as power stations, may be pumped into rivers or the sea.
- Rubbish, such as supermarket trolleys and plastic bags can be dumped in rivers and lakes.
State 3 short-term effects of water pollution.
- The supply of drinking water can be poisoned.
- Pesticides can kill important parts of the ecosystem.
- The micro bacteria in sewage can cause the spread of infectious diseases in aquatic life, animals and humans.
Explain 3 long-term effects of water pollution.
1.Toxic waste can poison wildlife. Sometimes the toxins can be transferred to humans if they eat the shellfish or fish, leading to birth defects, and, in some cases, cancer.
2. Increased water temperatures can lead to the death of wildlife and disrupt habitats.
3. People whose lives depend on a clean water supply, for example fishermen or workers in the tourist industry, may suffer.
Explain 3 ways water quality is managed in the UK.
- Pollution Traps: when new roads and motorways are built close to river and watercourses, pollution traps such as reed beds are often installed to ‘catch’ pollution.
- Education Campaigns: these inform the public about the damage caused by putting inappropriate items into the sewage systems, such as engine oil and baby wipes. They advise of how to dispose of them correctly.
- Waste Water Treatments: local water treatment plants remove suspended solids such as silt and soil, bacteria, algae, chemicals and minerals to produce clean water for human consumption. They use a number of processes.
How are fatbergs formed?
Fatbergs are formed when fat clumps together with other household waste.
Which city has the highest concentration of food business in England?
London
How many litres of used cooking oil does London produce every year?
32 million- 34 million litres
Define ‘water deficit’.
Areas of water deficit are areas which do not have enough water for the needs of the population and may suffer from shortages.
Define ‘water surplus’.
Areas of water surplus are are places where they have more water than they need.
Define ‘water stress’.
Areas of water stress are areas where the water available is not sufficient to meet the needs of the population or is of poor quality.
Describe the distribution of rainfall in the UK.
The majority of areas with rainfall over 1291mm in the UK are in the North-West. Areas in the South East of the UK experience the least rainfall.
Explain why demand for water is likely to rise in the South East England. (2)
- An increase in population (especially in London) will lead to a higher demand of resources (such as water).
- Climate change has led to areas in the South East reaching the highest temperatures in the UK, which will lead to greater demand for water.
How many litres does the average person in the UK use daily?
151 litres
