WATER

Question 1

The three main sources of water?

Answer 1

● Rivers and lakes- the water is used either where it is, or is transported by canal or pipeline to the location where it is used
● Aquifers- these are natural underground stores where water collects in porous rocks. This water is extracted by digging wells or boreholes and is then brought to the surface using buckets or pumps. This water is known as groundwater
● Reservoirs- these are artificial lakes usually created by building a dam across a valley and allowing it to flood. River water and rainfall are collected and stored behind the dam and is then treated before being distributed

Question 2

Physical factors affecting water availability/supply, climate?

Answer 2

-Globally this is the most important factor a

Question 3

Human factors affecting water availability/supply, poverty?

Answer 3

• Poverty often prevents people from having access to safe water
• The water available to poor people comes mainly from wells, rivers and standpipes
• Pollution is a big risk and the availability of water will vary with the seasons

Question 4

Physical factors effecting water availability/supply, geology?

Answer 4

• Geology is important as it determines the creation of aquifers or groundwater stores
• Where a layer of porous rock is sandwiched between two layers of non-porous rock, water can be successfully stored

Question 5

Human factors affecting water supply/availability, pollution?

Answer 5

• Most water pollution is caused by people, making the water unfit for human use
• Causes include agricultural, chemicals, domestic sewage and industrial waste
• This is a particular problem in LICs and NEEs where legislation and monitoring of water pollution is limited