4.2 Water access, use and security

What is it meant by the term water security?

having access to sufficient amounts of safe drinking water which is essential for sustainable societies

How does water security affect humans? (3)

• cannot continue to exist

• Human well-being and health, agriculture and industries quickly begin to deteriorate when there is a lack of water

• affect equitable access to this freshwater (i.e. how fairly this water access is distributed between societies

What are the different factors affecting water availability? (5)

1. social factors

2. cultural factors

3. economic factors

4. political factors

5. geographical factors

social factors include… (4)

1. population growth —> increase demand

2. population density—> demand for domestic purposes

3. urbanisation—> require large amounts of water

4. living standards —> higher living standards often lead to higher water usage

cultural factors include… (4)

1. water conservation —> cultures that prioritise water manage their water supplies better

2. consumerism —> high levels lead to increased water consumption

3. traditional agriculture —> some methods use water inefficently

4. cultural attidudes towards water pollution

economic factors include… (3)

1. economic development—> industrial activities require significant water resoruces

2. investment in infastructure—> presence of well-developed water managment systems (resevoirs) can enhance water availability '

3. agricultural needs

political factors include… (3)

1. government policies—> regulatioms affect water distribution and quality

2. international agreements —> transboundary water managment requires cooperation between countries

3. conflict and stability—> can disrupt water supplies

4. corruption level

geographical factors include…(3)

1. geographic location—> some regions naturally contain abundant freshwater

2. climate—> low percipitation—> less water due to less rainfall

3. topography —> mountainous regions often have better access

what is water essentiel for?

• domestic purposes (household level)

• irrigation

• raising livetsock in agriculture

• industry

what are some strategies used to increase fresh water supplies? (8)

• Constructing dams and reservoirs (during dry seasons like Hoover Dam USA supplying water to several states)

• Rainwater catchment systems (Chennai, india, rooftop rainwater harvesting)

• Desalination plants (Jebel ali plant removing salt from seawater)

• Enhancement of natural wetlands ( Everglades, Florida,USA are being restored to enhance water flow —> natural filters)

• Improving irrigation methods(iseral drip irrigation)

• Water recycling and resuse (singapores NEWater reuses wastewater)

• Artifical recharge of aquifers (California, USA, manged aquifer recharge)

• Redistribution (central Arizonia redistrivutes water from colorado river to arid reguons in Arizona)

What is a combined approach?

requires a combination of strategies to enhance water supplies Dams, reservoirs, rainwater catchment systems, desalination plants and enhancement of natural wetlands are effective approaches to increase water availability

What is physical water sarcity and economic water sarcity?

Physical water scarcity occurs where demand for water outstrips supply, often due to arid climate and low rainfall

Economic water scarcity is where water is available but people can’t afford it orthe infrastructure is inadequate

What are domestic conservation techniques? (5)

1. Metering—> install water metres to monitor and control water usage

2. rationing —> sets limits on water usage per household

3. grey-water recycling—> capture and treat greywater for reuse

4. low-flush toilets—> to reuce water usage per flush

5. rainwater harvesting—> colllect and store rainwater

Industrial water conservation techniques (5)

1. greenhouses—> irrigate crops inside

2. aquapnics systems—> combine fish farming with hydroponic plant cultivation recyclking water between fish tanks and plant beds

3. drip irrigation—> install agricultural drip systems to deliver water to roots (reuce evaporation and surface run-off)

4. drought-resistant crops—> develop crops that are resillent to drought

5. switching to vegitarian—> transition to plant-based to reduce water usage associated with livestock farming