Water Flashcards
Geography
What are the methods of water supply?
Methods of water supply include:
* Reservoirs/dams
* Wells and bore holes
* Desalination
These methods vary in effectiveness and application depending on geographical and economic factors.
What are the proportions of water used for agriculture, domestic, and industrial purposes in countries at different levels of economic development?
Proportions vary significantly:
* Agriculture: often the largest user
* Domestic: varies, often second
* Industrial: varies, often third
Developed countries tend to have higher industrial water usage compared to developing countries.
Why are there water shortages in some areas?
Pollution
Evaporation rates
Precipitation
Temperature
Economic activities
Population
Level of development
Rivers
Rainfall
These factors can exacerbate the scarcity of clean water, leading to significant challenges.
What is required to ensure future water supplies?
Careful management is required, including:
* Sustainable water resource management
* Investment in water infrastructure
* Pollution prevention measures
Effective management can help mitigate shortages and ensure equitable distribution.
What is the impact of lack of access to clean water on local people?
Lack of sanitation leads to water borne disease so people can’t work
lead to food shortages
People have to travel further for water - opportunity cost
Cause conflict
Stunt economic growth
Expensive to buy imported water
Access to clean water is crucial for public health and economic stability.
What is the potential for economic development related to water access?
Potential for economic development includes:
* Increased agricultural productivity
* Improved public health outcomes
* Enhanced industrial productivity
Clean water access can be a catalyst for broader economic growth.
Saudi water case study
Rapid population expansion from 35 million to 40 million in 2030
Extremely wealthy with water usage per capita of 1,900 litres a day
Average rainfall of 59mm a year, no lakes, 90% is desert and has severe water deficit
How does Saudi overcome its water deficit
Supply of desalinated water will deliver 2.18 billion m3 of water a year
Jubail desalination plant is largest in the world
Built 133wastewater treatment facilities in 2021
Cloud seeding program by NMC
Still has to import water to address its insecurity
Produces 22% of worlds desalinated water
What is a water surplus
Water supply greater than demand
What is a water deficit
Water supply less than demand
Rivers lakes
Naturally available and is easy to access and distribute
Dams and reservoirs can increase storage
Sources can become easily polluted so can carry disease
Wells and bore holes
Naturally purified through filtration through bedrock and can exist in arid areas
Can be expensive
Limited in quality
Can’t sustain lots of people
Desalination plants
Supply is virtually unlimited
Extremely expensive and uses lots of energy
Some countries are landlocked
Rainwater harvesting
Usually very pure and can be consumed with little treatment
Rain is unpredictable and difficult to store
Water condensing
Very pure doesn’t need any treatment
Technology is inexpensive and simple
Only provide small quantities of water
