Water Conflicts

Question 1

Water is a finite resource

Answer 1

The worlds ocean’s hold an estimated 1,386km3 of water, and this accounts for 97.5% of the global water store. So only 2.5% of the store is potentially available as freshwater, and almost 80% of that is trapped in ice, snow and permafrost. Most of the remaining 20% is groundwater. Only 1% is easily accessible freshwater in lakes, ecosystems, the atmosphere and rivers.

Question 2

Industrial Waste the world generates

Answer 2

Each year the world generated 400 billion tonnes of industrial waste, much of which is pumped untreated into rivers, oceans and other waterways.

Question 3

PCB discharge

Answer 3

Between approximately 1947 and 1977 General Electric Company released up to 1,300,000 pounds of PCBs into the Hudson River.

Question 4

How Dams affect water

Answer 4

Big Dams trap sediment in reservoirs; which reduces floodplain fertility and the flow of nutrients from rivers into seas. This may damage coastal fish stocks and prevent beach formation.Water Demand by 2025

Question 5

Water demand by 2025

Answer 5

The UN Food and Agriculture Orgnaisation expects water emand to reach 5,235km3 per year by 2025.

Question 6

Agriculture use of water

Answer 6

Currently agriculture uses 69% of the world’s 4,430km3 a year freshwater sypply.

Question 7

Water used globally by industry

Answer 7

This has rose relatively slowly during the 20th century, it is currently at 21%.

Question 8

Water Stress

Answer 8

A term when the annual supply of water per person falls below 1,700m3.

Question 9

Water Scracity.

Answer 9

When the annual supply of water per person falls below 1,000m3.

Question 10

Physical scarcity

Answer 10

When more than 75% of a country or region’s river flows are being used.

Question 11

Economic scarcity

Answer 11

When the devlopment of the blue water flows is limited by humand and financial capacities.

Question 12

India

Answer 12

India has 4% of the world;s freshwater, but 16% of its population. Demand will probably exceed supply by 2020.

Question 13

China

Answer 13

China has 8% of the worl’d freshwater but must meet the needs ot 22% of the world’s population. Two thirds of Chinese cities do not have enough water all year round, and national water supplies are likely to reach stress levels by 2030.

Question 14

Sewage disposal in developing countries

Answer 14

Sewage disposal in devloping countries is expected to cause 135 million deaths by 2020 (WHO, thorugh diseases such as hepatities, typhoid and cholera.

Question 15

Water insecurity

Answer 15

Not having access to sufficient, safe water. There are 1.2 billion people without access to clean water.

Question 16

Water Poverty Index.

Answer 16

In 2002 the British Centre for Ecology and Hydrology published the WPI. The index uses 5 parameters: resources - the quantity of surface and groundwater per person. Access - time and distance involved inobtainign sufficient safe water. Use - how economically water is used in home, agriculture and industry. Environment - Ecological sustainability.

Question 17

Washington DC water prices

Answer 17

Homeowners in Washington DC pay abut $350 for a year’s water.

Question 18

UN report of potential water conflicts

Answer 18

UN reports there are around 300 potential water conflicts around the world as rivers, lakes and aquifers provide sufficitnt supplies for beighboring countries.

Question 19

Water withdrawal projection

Answer 19

By 2025, water withdrawal is projected to reach 5,235km3 a year, and this is likely to have a considerabel impact on food production, human welfare and natural environemnt.