ESS SL topic 4.2 Water access, use and security (new syllabus)

Water security (4.2.1)

Having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of safe drinking water. For example, Singapore has achieved this despite limited natural freshwater through careful management, recycling, and desalination.

Water scarcity (4.2.5)

The lack of sufficient available water to meet demand. For example, Yemen faces severe limitations on access to water with less than 100 cubic meters per person per year.

Physical scarcity (4.2.5)

Insufficient water resources to meet an area's needs regardless of infrastructure. For example, much of the Sahel region in Africa has limited rainfall and few rivers.

Economic scarcity (4.2.5)

Insufficient water access despite adequate physical resources, usually due to poor infrastructure or management. For example, some regions in India have plentiful water resources but have inadequate distribution systems.

Desalination (4.2.4)

The process of removing salt from seawater to produce freshwater. For example, Saudi Arabia produces over 4 million cubic meters of freshwater daily from seawater.

Reverse osmosis (4.2.4)

A water purification method that uses a semi-permeable membrane to remove ions and particles from water, commonly used in desalination. For example, Israel's Sorek desalination plant provides 20% of the country's municipal water.

Water conservation (4.2.6, 4.2.7)

Practices and techniques to reduce water usage and waste. For example, drip irrigation systems in Israel save water by delivering it directly to plant roots rather than spraying it over fields.

Grey-water recycling (4.2.6)

The reuse of relatively clean wastewater from baths, sinks, and washing machines for purposes like irrigation. For example, Australia's drought-prone regions often use these systems to water gardens.

Water stress (4.2.13, 4.2.14, HL)

A situation where water demand exceeds available supply or where poor quality restricts use. For example, Mexico City continues to overextract groundwater, leading to land subsidence (sinking).

Water footprint (4.2.11, HL)

A measure of the total volume of freshwater used to produce goods and services. For example, producing one kilogram of beef requires approximately 15,000 liters of water.

Transboundary dispute (4.2.16, HL)

Conflicts between regions or countries over shared water resources. For example, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt have ongoing tensions over the Nile River water rights, particularly regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.