PRE-RELEASE to learn

describe how water is provided to homes in the UK (2)

• rain soaks into the ground/flows as streams until it reaches reservoirs

• it is cleaned and transported to our homes via pipes

explain why eastern england is suffering from water stress and why this is likely to increase in the future (4)

• lowest average annual rainfall (<800mm)

• changing weather patterns (hotter summers, more droughts)

• population increase

• pollution incidents

explain how pollution can increase our water security issues (2)

• reduced potable water puts pressure on already limited supplies

• requires more cleaning - reduces previously viable sources, adds costs

explain what the easiest household changes would be to reduce our water demand (4)

• turning off taps when not in use saves water

• fixing leaks in the home

• take showers instead of baths

• use water butts for the garden

‘Technology is a major contributor in reducing our water supply problems’ discuss this statement in relation to solving our changing water supply demands (4) +A03 +A04

• leak detection - smart water meters

• waste water cleaning - sewage and greywater

• desalination - turning salt water into drinking water

AO3 socio-economic and environmental impacts

AO4 need to reduce demand to conserve our supplies

why does the reservoir need gently sloping embankments? (2)

• it is a large area of flat land so needs embankments to contain the water

• need to be gently sloping to limit the negative impact on the environment.

fig 1: describe the pattern of rainfall in the UK (3)

• highest rainfall in NW scotland at 2000 mm

• lowest rainfall in SE england at 800 mm

• west higher than east

Fig 1: why does wales have more surface water sources than england? (2)

• smaller population - not depleting the sources

• more lakes and rivers

Fig 1: why does scotland have less groundwater sources than england? (2)

• less permeable rock

• smaller population

Fig 1: why is demand increasing for water? (4)

• increasing population = more homes = higher domestic use eg sanitation + taps

• increasing infrastructure = more businesses which require water

• climate change = higher temperatures = people need more for QOL eg paddling pools, water garden

• increasing wealth = more appliances = use more water

Fig 1: why is water supply decreasing? (3)

• increasing temperatures = more evaporation of surface water = lower supply

• changing rainfall = groundwater not recharged = deficit

• pollution = less potable sources = lower supply

Fig 1: why is there a wide variation in water demand across the UK?

depends on population density

Fig 1: problems if we exploit too much groundwater (2)

• environmental - not enough for plants = plants die

• economic - too expensive and not enough to develop infrastructure

Fig 2: pros and cons of collecting grey water

pros - inexpensive, implemented large scale, households could introduce

cons - only 7% consumption on garden use = limited impact, not everyone will do it

Fig 2: pros and cons of reducing leakage

pros - less water wasted, less pressure on rivers and groundwater systems

cons - expensive, relies on water companies = they don’t fix regularly

Fig 2: pros and cons of raising awareness

pros - cheap, people implement on a suitable scale for them

cons - people ignore, people will not want to limit use

Fig 2: pros and cons of waste water recycling systems

pros - reduces reliance on groundwater, reduces polluted water

cons - expensive treatment plants + pipes, reliance on government, need to treat a lot of water to meet demand