List out the main use of water
- agricultural
- industrial
- household
- recreational
Describe a method supply of water such as dams
A dam is a barrier that holds back water - save and manage the flow of excess water into specific regions. They may also be used to generate hydroelectricity
Describe a method supply of water such as reservoirs
An artificial lake primarily used for storing water
Describe a method supply of water such as wells
Wells are relatively large in diameter and are often sunk by hand
Describe a method supply of water such as boreholes
A borehole is drilled by a machine and is relatively small in diameter, gaining water from underground
Describe a method supply of water such as desalination
It is rare to use desalination - desalination plants distill water by boiling, generally using waste gases produced by oil wells
Disadvantages of groundwater
- It can be hard to extract
- Extraction transport can be expensive
Describe how the water is used for agriculture
- Water is used for animals - the majority is for irrigation. The amount of water used increasing as the World’s population increases
Define economic water scarcity
This is when water is available, but for some reason it is inaccessible or unusable
Define physical water scarcity
This is when there is not enough water available. The most common reason for this is low precipitation rates.
Give the causes of the growing demand for water
- Population growth
- Domestic demand/ the residential lives developed, demand to flush toilets
- Agricultural demand
- Industrial demand
Give the causes of the falling supply of water
- Climate change/rising sea levels
- Sewage: human waste pumped directly into the water sources
- Pollution
- Mismanagement
Describe which area will experience water shortages
South America, Africa and SE Asia demand are increasing but also they don’t have technology or infrastructure to store, transport and treat large quantities of water.
Describe the effect of water shortages
- Crop failure
- Famine
- Drought
- Disease: dirty water attract mosquitoes
How the management is required to ensure future supplies?
- Reduce leakage
- Irrigation projects: redistribute water
- Dam construction
- Sewage treatment: removal of contaminants from waste water
