Water Management

Question 1

What is water insecurity?

Answer 1

Not having enough clean water

Water insecurity can arise from a water deficit.

Question 2

What is water surplus?

Answer 2

Having excess water

Water surplus indicates water security.

Question 3

What causes water insecurity?

Answer 3

Water deficit

Water deficit can lead to insufficient water for drinking, crops, or energy.

Question 4

What factors affect water security?

Answer 4

Amount of water available, number of people using water, access to water

Access can be limited in poverty-stricken areas.

Question 5

What is water stress?

Answer 5

When demand for water exceeds supply or water quality is insufficient

Water stress occurs during certain periods.

Question 6

What are the characteristics of areas with water insecurity?

Answer 6

Low rainfall and/or high population density

Examples include Libya and Mexico.

Question 7

What defines areas with water security?

Answer 7

High rainfall and/or low population density

Examples include Canada and Brazil.

Question 8

What are the water use categories based on available supply?

Answer 8

High (>40%), medium (20-40%), low (<20%)

This categorization shows vulnerability to water stress.

Question 9

What are the main reasons for rising global water demand?

Answer 9

Rising population and economic development

Both factors contribute to increased water use.

Question 10

How does industrialization affect water use?

Answer 10

Increased manufacturing requires more water

Developed countries produce more goods, leading to higher water consumption.

Question 11

What role does energy production play in water use?

Answer 11

Developed countries require more energy, using significant freshwater resources

Estimates suggest over 50 billion m³ of fresh water is used annually for energy production.

Question 12

How does rising living standards influence water use?

Answer 12

Wealthier individuals can afford higher water-consuming amenities

This includes flushing toilets, showers, and dishwashers.

Question 13

Fill in the blank: Water security depends on the _______.

Answer 13

amount of water available, number of people using the water, access to the water

Question 14

True or False: Water stress can occur even if there is a high amount of water available.

Answer 14

True

Quality of water and demand also play critical roles.

Question 15

What is water availability affected by?

Answer 15

Water availability is affected by multiple factors including physical, economic, and social factors.

Question 16

What role does climate play in water availability?

Answer 16

Climate affects water availability as most places rely on rainfall, and hotter climates lead to more evaporation.

Question 17

How does climate change impact water availability?

Answer 17

Climate change alters the total amount of rainfall and raises global temperatures, leading to drier conditions in many areas.

Question 18

What is geology’s effect on water storage?

Answer 18

Geology affects water storage; impermeable rock causes runoff into rivers, while permeable rock allows infiltration and aquifer formation.

Question 19

What is over-abstraction?

Answer 19

Over-abstraction occurs when more water is used from natural sources than is replaced.

Question 20

What factors contribute to over-abstraction?

Answer 20

• Population growth
• Economic development
• Improvements in sanitation
• High demand from businesses

Question 21

How does water pollution affect water availability?

Answer 21

Water pollution, especially in industrializing countries, contaminates water sources and poses health risks.

Question 22

What is the impact of limited infrastructure on water supply?

Answer 22

Limited infrastructure can lead to sewage contamination of water supplies due to insufficient water pipes and sewers.

Question 23

How does poverty influence access to water?

Answer 23

Poverty restricts access to safe drinking water, forcing people to seek unsafe alternatives.

Question 24

What are some problems caused by water insecurity?

Answer 24

• Pollution and disease
• Reduced food production
• Reduced industrial output
• Conflict over water sources

Question 25

What is one example of a conflict triggered by water insecurity?

Answer 25

Afghanistan's use of the Helmand River could threaten water security in northeast Iran.

Question 26

How can water supplies be increased?

Answer 26

* Building dams and reservoirs * Water diversion * Water transfer schemes * Desalination

Question 27

What is the purpose of a storage dam?

Answer 27

A storage dam traps water behind it, creating a reservoir to ensure a consistent flow of water during deficits.

Question 28

What are some issues associated with reservoirs?

Answer 28

* Flooding of agricultural land * Drowning of settlements * High construction and maintenance costs

Question 29

What is water diversion?

Answer 29

Water diversion involves building a dam to raise a river's level and redirect water to a specific location.

Question 30

What is a benefit of diversion dams?

Answer 30

Diversion dams are typically less disruptive than storage dams as they redirect water rather than storing it.

Question 31

What is the function of water transfer schemes?

Answer 31

Water transfer schemes move water from areas of surplus to areas of deficit, usually through canals and pipes.

Question 32

What is desalination?

Answer 32

Desalination is the process of removing salt from seawater to make it suitable for drinking.

Question 33

What are the two main processes of desalination?

Answer 33

* Heating seawater until it evaporates * Passing seawater through a membrane to remove salt

Question 34

Why is desalination considered expensive?

Answer 34

Desalination requires significant energy for heating or membrane processes, and most plants are powered by fossil fuels.

Question 35

What percentage of Dubai's water supply comes from desalination?

Answer 35

98.8% of Dubai's water supply is sourced from desalination.

Question 36

What is a future development in desalination technology?

Answer 36

Saudi Arabia is building the world's first large-scale solar-powered desalination plant.

Question 37

What is the primary goal of sustainable water use?

Answer 37

To ensure enough water meets current needs without compromising future generations' needs.

Question 38

What is water conservation?

Answer 38

Using less water.

Question 39

What percentage of water in the UK is lost to leaks before reaching consumers?

Answer 39

20%

Question 40

How much water can dual-flush toilets save with each flush?

Answer 40

Up to 3.5 litres.

Question 41

What is a benefit of using efficient washing machines and dishwashers?

Answer 41

They should only be run with full loads to save water.

Question 42

What irrigation technique is recommended for farmland?

Answer 42

Drip pipe irrigation.

Question 43

How much less water do homes with water meters typically use?

Answer 43

10-15% less.

Question 44

What campaign did Los Angeles use to promote water conservation?

Answer 44

Save the Drop.

Question 45

Why is groundwater management important?

Answer 45

To prevent over-abstraction and pollution.

Question 46

What is required in the UK to extract more than 20 m³ of groundwater a day?

Answer 46

A license.

Question 47

What can farmers do to prevent groundwater pollution?

Answer 47

Apply fewer artificial fertilizers and pesticides.

Question 48

What type of agreements are needed when groundwater supplies are shared between countries?

Answer 48

International agreements.

Question 49

Which countries signed an agreement in 2010 regarding the Guarani aquifer?

Answer 49

Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

Question 50

What is the purpose of recycling water?

Answer 50

To use water that has already been used again.

Question 51

Where can used water from homes and industries be sent?

Answer 51

To water treatment plants.

Question 52

What percentage increase in water supplies could recycled water provide in some US cities?

Answer 52

27%.

Question 53

What are common uses for most recycled water?

Answer 53

* Irrigation * Industry * Power plants * Toilet flushing

Question 54

True or False: Most recycled water can be treated to make it safe to drink.

Answer 54

True.

Question 55

Fill in the blank: Water conservation can be achieved by fixing _______.

Answer 55

leaks.

Question 56

Fill in the blank: Groundwater management involves monitoring the amount extracted to ensure it is not removed faster than it is _______.

Answer 56

naturally replaced.

Question 57

What is 'Grey' water?

Answer 57

'Grey' water is a type of recycled water that is usually reused immediately without being treated ## Footnote It is mostly wastewater from homes, such as from washing machines, showers, or sinks, but excludes water from toilets.

Question 58

What are common uses for 'Grey' water?

Answer 58

Irrigating gardens or farmland, washing cars, flushing toilets ## Footnote It is not safe for washing hands or drinking.

Question 59

How does 'Grey' water help conserve energy?

Answer 59

Less energy is used treating water ## Footnote This makes it a more sustainable option for water use.

Question 60

What is a disadvantage of household grey water systems?

Answer 60

They can be expensive to install ## Footnote Additionally, water must be reused quickly to prevent bacteria development.

Question 61

What geographical area does Kenya predominantly fall under?

Answer 61

A hot, dry country in East Africa ## Footnote Most rain falls in just a few downpours each year.

Question 62

What is a significant challenge for rural communities in Kenya regarding water access?

Answer 62

They often have to travel 6-9 hours for water that can be up to 10 km away from their homes.

Question 63

What organization is working to reduce water insecurity in Kenya?

Answer 63

Utooni Development Organisation (UDQ) ## Footnote They work with aid from other organizations.

Question 64

What is the primary function of sand dams?

Answer 64

To give local communities access to water all year round.

Question 65

Describe the structure of a sand dam.

Answer 65

A low dam (about 1 m high) is built across the river ## Footnote Coarse material like sand is trapped behind the dam during the rainy season.

Question 66

How does sand help in water conservation in sand dams?

Answer 66

The sand prevents the water from evaporating in the hot sun during the dry season.

Question 67

What methods can be used to extract water from sand dams?

Answer 67

* Digging a well * Piping water through the dam to a tap * Scooping it out by digging holes

Question 68

List some advantages of sand dams.

Answer 68

* Cheap to build * Use local materials * Don't require much maintenance * Can trap more sand and water by raising the dam height yearly * Water can be used for irrigation * Reduce distance traveled to get water

Question 69

How much has the Kya Kimew dam in Machakos reduced the distance traveled for water?

Answer 69

By up to 9 km.