Water Case Study Flashcards
Water insecurity
When an area lacks a suitable quantity and quality of water for the needs of the population of that area.
Irrigation
The application of water to crops to help them grow. Used in areas that suffer from low rainfall.
Virtual water
Water that is not seen to be consumed but which is used within the growing and processing of food and other goods.
Day zero
The day when the city might become completely ‘dry’.
How is water sourced in Cape Town?
Water is sourced from a series of dams in the Cape Fold Mountains. Six large dams store 99% of Cape Town’s water and their levels are monitored each week for volume.
What is the proportion of water usage in Cape Town?
Approximately a third of Cape Town’s water is used for agriculture and two- thirds for industrial and domestic uses.
Natural reasons for shortage of water in Cape Town: Drought
Drought - Mediterranean climate with annual rainfall of 700-800 mm. However, over the last 10 years there have been periods of very low precipitation creating drought conditions. 2017 was the driest year for 84 years.
Human reasons for shortage of water in Cape Town: Supply and demand
Supply and demand - Cape Town’s population has grown significantly in size and wealth, so there is a higher demand for water.
Human reasons for shortage of water in Cape Town: Irrigation
Agriculture also has a large need for water for irrigation.
Human reasons for shortage of water in Cape Town: Energy
South Africa still uses coal as its major source of energy (approximately 77% of total energy sources). Coal requires a huge amount of water in the processes of cooling, extracting and washing.
Human reasons for shortage of water in Cape Town: Poor infrastructure and management of water
Storage of water has not kept up with the demand. The Berg River Dam was completed in 2009 but the increase in storage it created did not meet the increasing demands of water. Poor-quality infrastructure, such as leaking pipes, mean there is a regular loss of water from the system.
Human reasons for shortage of water in Cape Town: Government policy
Before the shortages, water was freely available, with all households receiving over 6000litres a month free of charge. This meant that many people wasted water.
Human reasons for shortage of water in Cape Town: Virtual water
Cape Town’s agriculture uses a lot of water for the production of grapes, apples and other fruits. This is water that is consumed during the growing of crops and is held ‘invisibly’ within the crop.
Social impacts of water shortages in Cape Town
● Health concerns, e.g. malnutrition, airborne diseases associated with drought conditions
● Personal hygiene concerns – lack of water for regular washing
● Reduced agricultural yields: less food available, need to import food
● Increased cost of water: some households suffer ‘water poverty’ because they cannot afford to buy water
Economic impacts of water shortages in Cape Town
● Decrease in tourists in 2017: impact on incomes and job opportunities
● Agricultural yields reduced by about 20%; 30000 made unemployed leading to unrest in some rural areas; economic loss of about $400 million
● Water-associated businesses affected, e.g. as swimming pool operators, garden centers – but bottled water companies increased production
Environmental impacts of water shortages in Cape Town
● Increased fire risk in surrounding forests
● Dam storage reduced to 20% of total capacity
Political and infrastructural impacts of water shortages in Cape Town
● Government realised water infrastructure needed to be improved and better long-term management solutions to be put in place
● Shortages highlighted difference in water consumption in different parts of the city
● Conflict between agriculture and other sectors over access to limited water supplies
Solutions to the water shortages (9)
● Strict restrictions
● Additional charges
● Water management devices and smart meters
● Pressure reductions
● Education
● Desalination
● Using groundwater
● Springwater collection
● Better planning and preparation
Causes of water shortages (7)
● Drought
● Supply and demand
● Irrigation
● Energy
● Poor infrastructure and management of water
● Government policy
● Virtual water
Solutions to water shortages: Strict restrictions
Strict restrictions were put in place, such as fines up to £700 for those people who consumed high volumes of water. These were based on a scale of restrictions from Level 1 (least concern over water) to Level 6B (most concern) which changed according to the seriousness of the crisis.
Solutions to water shortages: Additional charges
Additional charges were introduced and increased. There was now a charge for water, except for the very
poorest communities.
Solutions to water shortages: Water management devices and smart meters
Water management devices and smart meters were installed. The devices could set limits on water consumption: when the daily limit was exceeded, no more water was available from the tap. The smart meters monitored water consumption.
Solutions to water shortages: Pressure reductions
Pressure reductions on the water pipes were introduced, so overall consumption was reduced city-wide.
Solutions to water shortages: Education
Education about water consumption and use was increased. Websites, radio broadcasts and social media played an important role. Some people received letters from the Mayor of Cape Town and local residents were encouraged
to monitor each other’s usage. A Cape Town Water Map was introduced, which indicated households that met consumption targets and those that did not.
Solutions to water shortages: Desalination
Desalination – the conversion of salt water to fresh water. The project was started but has been stopped by fears of dirty water, the high cost, and disputes with the contractors.
Solutions to water shortages: Springwater collection
Springwater collection – natural springs appear in many locations in Cape Town and could provide a partial solution to the water shortages.
Solutions to water shortages: Using groundwater
Using groundwater – groundwater is available from rocks under the Earth’s surface. Access to it requires drilling down into the rock, with possible consequences of overuse, subsidence of the ground and other environmental impacts.
Solutions to water shortages: Better planning and preparation
Better planning and preparation – the water restrictions took many people by surprise but new systems have been put in place, including better climate monitoring and rainfall predictions, and accurate monitoring of the dam storage levels.
