Studied by 11 people
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How is water distributed?
Saltwater
Surface freshwater
Sub-surface freshwater
Atmospheric water
Where is surface freshwater found?
Glaciers, lakes, rivers
Inflows: precipitation, overland runoff, groundwater seepage, & glacial/snow melt
Outflows: evaporation, infiltration into ground stores, & abstraction by humans
Where is sub-surface freshwater found?
Groundwater, soil moisture, & permafrost
Describe aquifers
Zone of rock saturated with water
Top of this zone = water table (rises & falls based on input/output)
Confined aquifers lay below + above impermeable material (aquitards)
Unconfined = more susceptible to drought
What is water security?
the ability to access sufficient quantities of clean water to maintain adequate standards of food and manufacturing of goods, adequate sanitation and sustainable health care
How can climate change cause water insecurity?
changes in rainfall because warmer air holds more moisture
Can cause increased drought, flooding, & decline in snow fall
How can natural disasters cause water insecurity?
Flooding → erosion of topsoil, pollutes water supply (e.g fertilizer), damages sanitation infrastructure
How do pollution events cause water insecurity?
Water pollution: can occur at point source OR misuse of a water source for dumping waste
Run off of: domestic waste (e.g. sewage), industrial waste (e.g. heavy metals), agricultural chemical & fertilizer run off (eutrophication)
How can groundwater be polluted & cause water insecurity?
Can be contaminated by metals like iron & fluoride
From: leachate, septic tanks, storm water drains, saltwater intrusion (saltwater moves into freshwater aquifers)
Salt-water intrusion: over abstraction of freshwater reduce pressure & salt water can enter the aquifer
How can population growth cause water insecurity?
population increases → demand for water increases
more waste & over abstraction of water from aquifers (drops water table + makes them harder & more expensive to access)
Impacts flora & fauna: springs + streams that wildlife rely on may dry out & trees that access the water table with deep roots will dehydrate + die
Changes in land usage → deforestation & urbanisation
Forest + wetlands can act as natural water reservoirs → water can’t infiltrate & recharge groundwater supplies
How can competing demands from agricultural, industrial, and domestic sectors cause water insecurity?
Industrial: power plants, metal/plastic manufacturing
Municipal: households (toilet, shower, drinking water)
Agriculture: water for livestock, irrigation water for crops
Most human water use
How can international competition over water sources cause water insecurity?
conflict b/t regions/countries over water access
Waterways being damned can deprive users of water source
Some rivers cross int’l borders (e.g. Jordan River b/t Syria/Israel)
How can inequality of water availability cause water insecurity?
people in LICs are less likely to have access to clean drinking water than HICs (can pay for infrastructure for a safe water supply)
How can differing access to safe drinking water in urban and rural areas cause water insecurity?
urban areas have better access to clean water (have financial resources) than rural ones
Urban areas may face significant water supply problems + impoverished urban areas may not have access to clean water + sanitation
How can mismanagement of irrigation (e.g. salinisation) cause water insecurity?
water supplies can run out & create human-drought conditions
Overuse of water → soil salinization → salt on top layer & reduces productivity
Eutrophication, increased turbidity, toxic water pollution, harm to ecosystems + groundwater
How can inadequate sanitation cause water insecurity?
sewage systems + water management plants
Sanitation mismanagement: changes in supply/demand + aging infrastructure
Septic waste contamination → cholera, diarrhea, etc.
What are some impacts of water insecurity?
Reduced crop yield, crop failure, livestock death
food shortages, malnutrition and famine
Illness from contaminated drinking water
Exposure to bacteria in septic waste → cholera & diarrhea
Poverty: unable to grow food + stay healthy
“Poverty trap” = sick person is unable to work & struggles to afford healthcare
How can piped supply manage water insecurity?
Transports water
Improves access & reduces water insecurity, BUT can be expensive & leaks add to water stress
How can aquifers + artesian wells manage water insecurity?
body of rock/sediment that holds groundwater; well drilled into an aquifer where pressure pushes water out
Steady supply (none lost to evaporation) & cheap to extract, BUT can get depleted if over-pumped, saltwater intrusion in coastal areas, & difficult to de-contaminate
How can boreholes manage water insecurity?
Narrow hole to locate water
Affordable, safe water that can be used for non-potable actions, BUT can lead to contamination + be over-extracted
How can gravity-fed schemes manage water insecurity?
Cheap & effective for a smaller sized crop area, BUT not applicable in flat terrain + needs management
How can reservoirs and dams manage water insecurity?
Increasing holding supply can protect water supply during stress
Cheap electricity, year-round water supply, BUT flooded land destroys land + displaces people, migration and spawning of fish may be disrupted
Ways to reduce domestic water usage:
rainwater tanks, low flow shower heads, low flush toilets, overall awareness
Ways to reduce agricultural water usage:
improved irrigation techniques (e.g. drip irrigation/soil moisture), growing crops less dependent on high water supply
Ways to reduce industrial water usage:
reusing/recycling clean water, upgrading technology to more efficient solutions, routine maintenance (checking for leaky pipes)
How can education on sustainable water use manage water insecurity?
gives people knowledge about their responsibility for their own water consumption
How can poverty reduction manage water insecurity?
population will be healthier, agricultural development/cultivation, & produce manufactured goods (job opportunities)
Water-related aid & int’l agreement examples:
Water Convention of 1996: established 3 main pillars to promote cooperation b/t nations & ensure fair + secure water usage
Water aid: aims to ensure a safe water supply → reduce infant mortality + food insecurity
How can rationing manage water insecurity?
Existing resources last longer, BUT doesn’t find an alternative & difficult to manage
How the distillation of saltwater manage water insecurity?
heating saltwater until it evaporates
Improves access to clean water & cheap, BUT leaves behind waste (brine) and requires an energy sources
