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Resource Security - Content > Water Security > Flashcards

Water Security Flashcards

1
Q

What % of earths water is located in the Oceans?

A

96.5%

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2
Q

How is the rest of the freshwater distributed?

A

2/3 in ice caps and glaciers.
30% in groundwater reservoirs and aquifers.
Less than 1% in permafrost and other sources.

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3
Q

How much/where/what for is water demand increasing?

A

Demand for water is estimated to increase by 55% by 2050.

This is largely in LICs and NEEs where rapid industrialisation and expansion into water demanding industries such as manufacturing, agriculture and coal-fired power stations.

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4
Q

What is water stress?

A

Water stress is when demand for water exceeds available water reserves or poor quality restricts its use.

Water stress is when renewable water in a country falls below 1700m3 of water per person.

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5
Q

What is water scarcity?

A

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

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6
Q

Where is water stress seen, particularly in HICs?

A

Often in large urbanised areas such as LA and London where impermeable land reduced the recharge of underground reservoirs and existing supply is rapidly depleting due to the large, wealthy population.

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7
Q

What factors may reduce infiltration and the ability for aquifers to recharge?

A

Intensity of the rainfall - Tropical storms and heavy rainfall doesn’t give the ground enough time to absorb the water so surface runoff increases whilst infiltration remains low.

Rainfall in summer months are less effective at increasing infiltration as the ground is usually harder as the soil is dried, discouraging infiltration.

Impermeable geology caused naturally or by urbanisation prevents infiltration as a lack of pores in the rock means that water cant be absorbed.

The relief of the land can also play a factor as steep hills are likely to have large surface runoff and little infiltration where as on relatively flat surfaces water flows slower so more can infiltrate into the soil.

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8
Q

Regional Water Scarcity/ Physical Geography in the Murray-Darling Basin

When/where was the plan announced?

A

January 2007 the Australian government announced a plan for water security focusing on the Murray-Darling Basin.

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9
Q

Regional Water Scarcity/ Physical Geography in the Murray-Darling Basin

MDB basic facts - 5

A

Covers the area of France and Spain combined.

Located in South East Australia.

14% of Australia’s land mass.

Provides 75% of Australia’s water supply.

Provides 40% of the nations agricultural produce.

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10
Q

Regional Water Scarcity/ Physical Geography in the Murray-Darling Basin

How has water extraction changes over time?

A

There has been a 5 fold increase in water extraction since the 1920s.
This matches the changes in Australia’s population.

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11
Q

Regional Water Scarcity/ Physical Geography in the Murray-Darling Basin

Why is this a problem for the residents in the MDB.

A

Although average rainfall in the MDB is 480mm, there are significant geographical differences in rainfall within the basin.

Evaporation and in turn rainfall is significantly higher in the south/east whilst droughts are very common in the north/west section of the MDB.

This creates trade-offs between the already struggling MDB (farmers and local communities) and the larger Australia where social and political pressures need a solution to the water security issue.

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12
Q

Water supply to Greater London

How much water does the Thames supply each day?

A

2.6 billion litres of drinking water to 9 million people every day.

This is increasing due to larger populations and rising wealth demanding more water.

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13
Q

Water supply to Greater London

How does the climate impact water supply?

A

Below average rainfall of 690 mm making it one of the driest places in the UK.

Furthermore, only 250mm can be used by the population as the rest is lost by evapotranspiration.

Luckily frequent winter rainfall recharges aquifers faster than the alternate occasional storms.

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14
Q

Water supply to Greater London

How does the geology impacts water supply?

A

The geology of the Thames basin is a relatively even split between chalk (permeable) and clay (impermeable).

This means that around 1/3 of London’s water supply can be pumped directly from aquifers.

However, nowadays water levels have dropped so significantly that bore holes are now 200m deep to access the groundwater reserves.

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15
Q

Water supply to Greater London

Where does London get its water supply from?

A

Around 80% of London’s water supply is taken from the river Thames upstream.
Groundwater is a very important store of water as it supplies the majority of this river water.

The other smaller source is from the tributaries of the Thames that flow over impermeable clay so overland flow is higher.

The remaining 20% comes from groundwater abstraction outside of Greater London.

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16
Q

What are the 5 strategies to increase water supply?

A

Water Catchment
Water Storage
Water Diversion
Water Transfer
Desalination

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17
Q

What is water catchment?

A

Wetland restoration or afforestation allows more rainwater to be collected.

Water companies can block drainage channels to help and retain water.

Pastoral farmers can switch to arable farming when runoff is low, especially when overgrazing has taken place.

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18
Q

What is water storage?

A

Relatively similar to water catchment, focusing purely on increasing the total storage of water in a specific location.

This can include the construction of dams as permanent structures or as temporary inflatable structures that can be held for months before being diverted.

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19
Q

What is water diversion?

A

Water being removed/diverted from its natural course by canal or pipeline to supply an area of water deficit.

This needs to be very carefully managed to prevent long-term environmental damage.

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20
Q

Example of water diversion?

A

California - more than 25,000 points where water is diverted on a variety of scales, ranging from irrigating single fields to providing water to entire urban areas.

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21
Q

What is water transfer?

A

Similar to water diversion, transporting water from an area of water surplus to an area of water deficit.

This is often done on a much larger scale with examples in California, China and Lesotho.

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22
Q

What is Desalination?

A

Technologies such as thermal distillation allows for large scale desalination of sea water.

Desalination is very expensive due to expensive machinery, intensive energy use and disposal of high-saline by-products.

Due to these costs they are only used in wealthy countries suffering with water scarcity such as Saudi Arabia, UAE and the USA.

23
Q

Environmental impacts of a major water supply scheme - Lesotho Highlands water project

Lesotho location?

A

Southern Africa, surrounded by the wealthier South Africa.

24
Q

Environmental impacts of a major water supply scheme - Lesotho Highlands water project

How has trade with South Africa benefitted Lesotho?

A

Lesotho has a lack of natural resources but an abundance of water which South Africa is lacking.

This has created a steady and secure trade that has benefitted Lesotho.

The Lesotho Highlands water transfer scheme is one of the worlds largest water supply schemes but has had serious environmental impacts.

25
Q

Environmental impacts of a major water supply scheme - Lesotho Highlands water project

Summary of Lesotho’s geographical landscape

A

Largely covered in mountains with an abundance of rainfall.

Most precipitation occurs between October to April.

Large amounts of this rainfall fall over the Maluti Mountains that cover an area of over 18,000km2.

26
Q

Environmental impacts of a major water supply scheme - Lesotho Highlands water project

How does Lesotho’s water consumption compare to its water supply?

A

Their current consumption is around 2 m^3/sec compared to the total available water which is around 1,500 m^3/sec.

27
Q

Environmental impacts of a major water supply scheme - Lesotho Highlands water project

When was the LHWP agreed by Lesotho and South Africa?

A

October 1986

28
Q

Environmental impacts of a major water supply scheme - Lesotho Highlands water project

Describe the several phases of the project

A

Phase IA - 185m dam, capacity of 1950 million metres^3 and completed in 1998.

Phase IB - 145m dam, capacity of 950 million metres^3 and completed in 2004.

Phase II - 165m dam, capacity of 2200 million metres^3 and completed in 2024

Phase III - 160m dam, capacity of 2220 million metres^3 and completion is currently on hold.

Phase IV is currently on hold.

29
Q

Environmental impacts of a major water supply scheme - Lesotho Highlands water project

How has the LHWP led to environmental impacts?

A

Phase IA began in 1986 without an EIA.

EIAs have been used since but environmental damage is still severe as the environmental impacts of a water project can never fully be mitigated.

30
Q

Environmental impacts of a major water supply scheme - Lesotho Highlands water project

What have been the 5 main environmental impacts?

A

Loss of farmland

Reduced access to natural resources

Habitat destruction

Downstream damage

Soil erosion

31
Q

Environmental impacts of a major water supply scheme - Lesotho Highlands water project

How has the LHWP led to Loss of farmland?

A

Less than 10% of Lesotho is suitable for farming and the water project is taking place in the most fertile land in the mountains.

2/3 of people in the affected areas depend on local food produce and those forced to move due to flooding have had far less access to natural resources.

32
Q

Environmental impacts of a major water supply scheme - Lesotho Highlands water project

How has the LHWP led to environmental impacts?

A

Phase IA began in 1986 without an EIA.

EIAs have been used since but environmental damage is still severe as the environmental impacts of a water project can never fully be mitigated.

33
Q

Environmental impacts of a major water supply scheme - Lesotho Highlands water project

How has the LHWP led to reduced access to natural resources?

A

Flooding and the location of the reservoirs has flooded/blocked access to natural resources.

This is particularly caused as a barrier to the movement of people and cattle who now cant access these resources.

34
Q

Environmental impacts of a major water supply scheme - Lesotho Highlands water project

How has the LHWP led to habitat destruction?

A

Flooding in the creation of the dams has caused habitat destruction of endangered species such as the bearded vulture.

Also the changing water movement threatens water movement downstream.

35
Q

Environmental impacts of a major water supply scheme - Lesotho Highlands water project

How has the LHWP led to downstream damage?

A

Less water available downstream for people and wildlife has caused a reduction in wetland habitats.

Also natural flooding is important because it increases sediment, oxygen and nutrition levels downstream.

36
Q

Environmental impacts of a major water supply scheme - Lesotho Highlands water project

How has the LHWP led to soil erosion?

A

Construction of dams and the associated infrastructure such as roads have increased runoff down slopes.

Also some farmers are forced to move farms onto steeper land as that is easily eroded as current land is used up.

37
Q

How much has the average water usage per person per day in the UK increased since 1850?

A

From 18 litres to 150 litres.

38
Q

What is virtual water?

A

Virtual water is the water people use indirectly and so is ‘hidden’.
Examples of virtual water is the water used to create clothing or food products, where water isn’t directly used by the consumer but instead indirectly.

39
Q

How is the UK climate estimated to change in the future?

A

Likely to become hotter, drier and have more extreme temperatures such as heatwaves in the summer and heavier rainfall in the winter.

40
Q

What are the 3 main strategies to reduce water consumption

A

Food consumption
Water conservation
Water meters

41
Q

How can changing food consumption affect water supply?

A

Agricultural produce uses large amounts of water to grow so some food retailers are starting to consider their water footprint.

For example eating less ‘out of season’ fruit/vegetables and more home grown vegetables or drought tolerant foods such as broccoli.

42
Q

How can increasing water conservation affect water supply?

A

Switching to water efficient products, especially in peoples homes can reduce water usage.

Water efficient dishwashers, washing machines and lifestyle changes such as short showers instead of baths.

43
Q

How can implementing water meters affect water supply?

A

A water meter means you only pay for what you use and allows people to check regularly on their usage.

This is helpful as it forces users to think about water management and actively reduce water usage to save money.

On average families reduce their water usage by 10-15% after a water meter is added.

44
Q

What is water management?

A

Managing water supplies and addressing the needs of all users, often on a larger than household scale.

45
Q

What are the 3 main water management strategies?

A

Greywater recycling
Rainwater collection recycling
Groundwater management

46
Q

How is greywater recycling improving water sustainability?

A

They clean the greywater into relatively clean water and pump it back into toilets or washing machines.

This helps improve water sustainability as less water is wasted and more is stored, however, it is costly to treat, store and then pump the water back into the desired location so this is mainly done by large water consumers such as hotels.

47
Q

How much recyclable water is wasted in HICs?

A

1/3 of all recyclable water.

48
Q

What is rainwater collection recycling?

A

Collecting water from roofs and diverting it into existing pipework into toilets and washing machines.

49
Q

How is rainwater collection recycling better than greywater recycling?

A

Likely to have less harmful bacteria than greywater so doesn’t need an expensive cleaning process.

50
Q

Why is water conflict an increasing issue?

A

Limited supply of water which is in increasing demand as countries develop.

This creates tensions and leads to social and political unrest due to desperation.

51
Q

Examples of water conflict at a local scale:

A

Mexico experienced a confrontation between 1,500 police and residents of a village on Mexico Cities outskirts.

South Africa had 4 people killed during protests over water shortages in the town of Brits.

52
Q

Examples of water conflict at a national scale:

A

Syria cut of water supply to Aleppo as pumping and water distribution stations are bombed.

53
Q

Examples of water conflict at an international scale:

A

Iraq has insurgents from ISIL seize the Falluja dam and close the floodgates, cutting water supply downstream and flooding upstream.

Ukraine cut of water supply in the North Crimean Canal after Russia annexed Crimea.

Resource Security - Content (4 decks)

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