Water resource management Flashcards
Why is there an uneven distribution of water?
-Rainfall
-Heat
Why are there differences in water security?
-Level of development e.g affordability, lack of technology
-Population density
-Climate
3 sectors of water consumption
Agriculture, industry, domestic
Water surplus def?
When the usable water supply exceeds the demand
Water deficit def?
When more water is lost by transpiration and evaporation than is received as rainfall
Water stress def?
When there isn’t enough water to meet people’s needs
3 reasons why water stress is increasing?
Population growth, climate change, development
Fresh water def?
Water that contains a very low concentration of dissolved solids e.g salt
Physical water scarcity def?
Areas where fresh water usually occurs in low quantities such as dry and arid regions
Economic water scarcity def?
Areas that lack the power to invest in water sources and meet local demand
Evapotranspiration def?
Movement of water from the ground to the atmosphere by evaporation and transpiration
3 reasons there has been an increased global demand for water
-Increased need for food, irrigation
-More household appliances, dishwasher
-Increased sports, golf ranges
In an emerging country what sector uses the most water?
Agriculture, most of the jobs are in the primary industry, fewer factories, and leisure
In a developed country what sector uses the most water?
Industry, quaternary sector requires water for electricity
Where is the supply and demand highest in the UK?
Supply is highest in the North and West
Demand is highest in the South and East
How does seasonal imbalances affect the UK’s water supply
-More rainfall in the winter but more demand in the summer
-Dry winters can cause low storage levels
How does ageing infrastructure affect the UK’s water supply?
-Many pipes are old and vulnerable to leaks
-Billions of litres of water are lost through leaks each year
3 key reasons for water supply problems in emerging/developing countries
-Access to unsafe water
-Polluted water sources
-Low annual rainfall
Key impact of unsafe water in developing countries and statistic?
-Causes diseases which can affect children’s education and adult’s work
-Nearly 10% of world’s population doesn’t have access to clean drinking water
Key impact of polluted water in developing countries and statistic?
-Causes diseases such as cholera due to being polluted by fertilisers and pesticides from agriculture
-Around 2 billion people don’t have access to sewage treating systems
Key impact of low annual rainfall in developing countries and statistic?
-Causes drought
-Less crops are grown in the Sahel region due to frequent droughts reduces income
General idea of an individual, an organisation and a government’s’ views on their needs for water
-Want sufficient water to live comfortably, at reasonable prices
-Need water to keep business running
-Government needs water for factories to keep jobs and people happy
Technology resolving water shortages
Process name?
How?
Dis?
Desalination
Salt water is run through purification to produce clean, drinkable water
Requires large amounts of energy, expensive, waste products need to be disposed
3 reasons why there is a need for sustainable management of water and one statistic
To provide for the increasing population–>Nearly 10% of world’s population don’t have access to safe drinking water
Prevent conflict
Prevent shortages
Las Vegas
Government view on water supply?
Organisation view on water supply?
Individuals view on water supply?
There is a need for a pipeline system to Lake Mead to improve supply
Strong rely on tourism which requires water
Worry that water supply will drop and prices will rise
Las Vegas
Gov sustainable use of water resources?
Organisation sustainable use of water resources?
Individuals sustainable use of water resources?
Paying residents up to $5 per square foot of grass removed
Bellagio fountain using recycled water
Residents planting desert plants like cacti
Developed country managing water?
2 reasons for managing sustainably?
UK
Aquifers used aren’t being replenished
Climate change causes uncertainty
3 ways the UK is managing water sustainably and stats?
Effect on supply/demand?
Dis?
-Building reservoirs, aim to build seven across UK, increase supply, expensive
-Install water metres, can cut use by 10-15%, decreases demand, increase water prices
-Extract more water from natural sources like aquifers in the south, increases supply, already at risk of running out
Emerging country managing water?
2 reasons for managing sustainably?
China
Economic development increased demand for water in industry
Most of population in North, yet is drier
3 ways China is managing water sustainably and stats?
Effect on supply/demand?
Dis?
-Recycling wastewater, 85% of wastewater in Beijing is recycled, residents could oppose
-Water-saving devices on taps, installed by 95% of homes in Beijing, expensive for residents
-Efficient irrigation, by 2014 efficiency improved by 50% due to improved farming methods, expensive
What is the key scheme being used in China?
Aim?
Dis?
South-North Water Transfer Scheme
Bring water from South to North
Very expensive, uses lots of energy
