Water conservation and management

Question 1

Increasing water availability

Answer 1

Increased abstraction
Catchment management
Aquifer recharge

Question 2

Increased abstraction

Answer 2

Small scale collection may decrease demand for supplies
Eg. collecting rainwater
Limited by volume available/ economic viability

Question 3

Catchment management

Answer 3

Makes available water supplies more usable
Reservoirs used to maintain river levels
Prevention of upstream pollution reduces polluted water sources

Question 4

Aquifer recharge

Answer 4

Partially depleted aquifers refill during surplus months

River Thames water is pumped into chalk aquifers during high water months

Question 5

Better water distribution

Answer 5

Reducing distribution losses

Inter-basin transfer

Question 6

Reducing distribution losses

Answer 6

Long-established water networks get worn down

10% of UK piped water is lost through worn pipes

Question 7

Inter-basin transfer

Answer 7

Settlements usually develop near water sources
Settlements can develop past what can be supported locally
Water is brought in from other catchment areas via canals, pipes

Question 8

Case study- Australia and UK water transfer

Answer 8

Snowy Mountain HEP completed in Australia, 1966
Generated water and transferred water to dry Murray-Darling catchment
Elan Valley transfers water to Birmingham over 130KM
Abberton reservoir in Essex holds water transferred from rivers/canals in Suffolk

Question 9

More efficient use of water

Answer 9

Metering
Low water-use appliances
Recycling/ grey water use

Question 10

Metering

Answer 10

Pay for what you use

People are more careful when they have to pay

Question 11

Low water-use appliances

Answer 11

Washing machines/ dishwashers designed to use less water

Toilets have dual flush systems so only use as much as necessary

Question 12

Recycling/ grey water use

Answer 12

Water used for washing isn’t very dirty
Not too dirty water can be used for low quality things
Eg. watering plants