Water Management Flashcards
What is water insecurity?
Not having enough clean water
Water insecurity can arise from a water deficit.
What is water surplus?
Having excess water
Water surplus indicates water security.
What causes water insecurity?
Water deficit
Water deficit can lead to insufficient water for drinking, crops, or energy.
What factors affect water security?
Amount of water available, number of people using water, access to water
Access can be limited in poverty-stricken areas.
What is water stress?
When demand for water exceeds supply or water quality is insufficient
Water stress occurs during certain periods.
What are the characteristics of areas with water insecurity?
Low rainfall and/or high population density
Examples include Libya and Mexico.
What defines areas with water security?
High rainfall and/or low population density
Examples include Canada and Brazil.
What are the water use categories based on available supply?
High (>40%), medium (20-40%), low (<20%)
This categorization shows vulnerability to water stress.
What are the main reasons for rising global water demand?
Rising population and economic development
Both factors contribute to increased water use.
How does industrialization affect water use?
Increased manufacturing requires more water
Developed countries produce more goods, leading to higher water consumption.
What role does energy production play in water use?
Developed countries require more energy, using significant freshwater resources
Estimates suggest over 50 billion m³ of fresh water is used annually for energy production.
How does rising living standards influence water use?
Wealthier individuals can afford higher water-consuming amenities
This includes flushing toilets, showers, and dishwashers.
Fill in the blank: Water security depends on the _______.
amount of water available, number of people using the water, access to the water
True or False: Water stress can occur even if there is a high amount of water available.
True
Quality of water and demand also play critical roles.
What is water availability affected by?
Water availability is affected by multiple factors including physical, economic, and social factors.
What role does climate play in water availability?
Climate affects water availability as most places rely on rainfall, and hotter climates lead to more evaporation.
How does climate change impact water availability?
Climate change alters the total amount of rainfall and raises global temperatures, leading to drier conditions in many areas.
What is geology’s effect on water storage?
Geology affects water storage; impermeable rock causes runoff into rivers, while permeable rock allows infiltration and aquifer formation.
What is over-abstraction?
Over-abstraction occurs when more water is used from natural sources than is replaced.
What factors contribute to over-abstraction?
- Population growth
- Economic development
- Improvements in sanitation
- High demand from businesses
How does water pollution affect water availability?
Water pollution, especially in industrializing countries, contaminates water sources and poses health risks.
What is the impact of limited infrastructure on water supply?
Limited infrastructure can lead to sewage contamination of water supplies due to insufficient water pipes and sewers.
How does poverty influence access to water?
Poverty restricts access to safe drinking water, forcing people to seek unsafe alternatives.
What are some problems caused by water insecurity?
- Pollution and disease
- Reduced food production
- Reduced industrial output
- Conflict over water sources
What is one example of a conflict triggered by water insecurity?
Afghanistan’s use of the Helmand River could threaten water security in northeast Iran.
How can water supplies be increased?
- Building dams and reservoirs
- Water diversion
- Water transfer schemes
- Desalination
What is the purpose of a storage dam?
A storage dam traps water behind it, creating a reservoir to ensure a consistent flow of water during deficits.
What are some issues associated with reservoirs?
- Flooding of agricultural land
- Drowning of settlements
- High construction and maintenance costs
What is water diversion?
Water diversion involves building a dam to raise a river’s level and redirect water to a specific location.
What is a benefit of diversion dams?
Diversion dams are typically less disruptive than storage dams as they redirect water rather than storing it.
What is the function of water transfer schemes?
Water transfer schemes move water from areas of surplus to areas of deficit, usually through canals and pipes.
What is desalination?
Desalination is the process of removing salt from seawater to make it suitable for drinking.
What are the two main processes of desalination?
- Heating seawater until it evaporates
- Passing seawater through a membrane to remove salt
Why is desalination considered expensive?
Desalination requires significant energy for heating or membrane processes, and most plants are powered by fossil fuels.
What percentage of Dubai’s water supply comes from desalination?
98.8% of Dubai’s water supply is sourced from desalination.
What is a future development in desalination technology?
Saudi Arabia is building the world’s first large-scale solar-powered desalination plant.
What is the primary goal of sustainable water use?
To ensure enough water meets current needs without compromising future generations’ needs.
What is water conservation?
Using less water.
What percentage of water in the UK is lost to leaks before reaching consumers?
20%
How much water can dual-flush toilets save with each flush?
Up to 3.5 litres.
What is a benefit of using efficient washing machines and dishwashers?
They should only be run with full loads to save water.
What irrigation technique is recommended for farmland?
Drip pipe irrigation.
How much less water do homes with water meters typically use?
10-15% less.
What campaign did Los Angeles use to promote water conservation?
Save the Drop.
Why is groundwater management important?
To prevent over-abstraction and pollution.
What is required in the UK to extract more than 20 m³ of groundwater a day?
A license.
What can farmers do to prevent groundwater pollution?
Apply fewer artificial fertilizers and pesticides.
What type of agreements are needed when groundwater supplies are shared between countries?
International agreements.
Which countries signed an agreement in 2010 regarding the Guarani aquifer?
Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
What is the purpose of recycling water?
To use water that has already been used again.
Where can used water from homes and industries be sent?
To water treatment plants.
What percentage increase in water supplies could recycled water provide in some US cities?
27%.
What are common uses for most recycled water?
- Irrigation
- Industry
- Power plants
- Toilet flushing
True or False: Most recycled water can be treated to make it safe to drink.
True.
Fill in the blank: Water conservation can be achieved by fixing _______.
leaks.
Fill in the blank: Groundwater management involves monitoring the amount extracted to ensure it is not removed faster than it is _______.
naturally replaced.
What is ‘Grey’ water?
‘Grey’ water is a type of recycled water that is usually reused immediately without being treated
It is mostly wastewater from homes, such as from washing machines, showers, or sinks, but excludes water from toilets.
What are common uses for ‘Grey’ water?
Irrigating gardens or farmland, washing cars, flushing toilets
It is not safe for washing hands or drinking.
How does ‘Grey’ water help conserve energy?
Less energy is used treating water
This makes it a more sustainable option for water use.
What is a disadvantage of household grey water systems?
They can be expensive to install
Additionally, water must be reused quickly to prevent bacteria development.
What geographical area does Kenya predominantly fall under?
A hot, dry country in East Africa
Most rain falls in just a few downpours each year.
What is a significant challenge for rural communities in Kenya regarding water access?
They often have to travel 6-9 hours for water that can be up to 10 km away from their homes.
What organization is working to reduce water insecurity in Kenya?
Utooni Development Organisation (UDQ)
They work with aid from other organizations.
What is the primary function of sand dams?
To give local communities access to water all year round.
Describe the structure of a sand dam.
A low dam (about 1 m high) is built across the river
Coarse material like sand is trapped behind the dam during the rainy season.
How does sand help in water conservation in sand dams?
The sand prevents the water from evaporating in the hot sun during the dry season.
What methods can be used to extract water from sand dams?
- Digging a well
- Piping water through the dam to a tap
- Scooping it out by digging holes
List some advantages of sand dams.
- 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
How much has the Kya Kimew dam in Machakos reduced the distance traveled for water?
By up to 9 km.
