case studies

China water transfer project

Cost: $62 Billion

Seeks to divert 44 Billion cubic litres of water anually

Transfers water over 2700 miles from south to north.

Funded by: chinese taxpayers

Timeline - aims to be completed by 2050

How it works - moves water across 3 distinct routes

The River Nile

• Flows through 11 states.

• Ethiopia contributes to 85% of water flowing into nile

• Hyrdo-colonialised by powerful downstream nations.

• Periods of unfair water treaties, 1929, 1959. (no water was allocated to upstream countries, and Eygpt had VETO on every upstream water project.

• More recently, upstream nations (especially Ethiopia) sought to change this on the basis of modern international water Law. Helenski rules.

• This allowed for more equitable rules which undermined the old unfair water treaties.

• Allowed for Grand Ethiopian Ressisance Dam. (which Ethiopia deems crucial for economic development and lifitng out of poverty. (started construction in 2011 which made eygpt start a diplomatic campaign)

Singapore

Circumstances - few natural water resources, a thriving economy, a high standard of living and a high per capita consumption of water - has made water management a top priority in this tiny state with its nearly 6 million inhabitants. It has adopted a holistic approach to water management based on three key strategies. 

1. Collect every drop of water: the government has various ways of encouraging citizens to use water prudently. Since 2003, per capita domestic water consumption has fallen from 165 litres per day to 150 litres per day. 

2. Re-use water endlessly: Singapore is at the cutting edge of new technologies to re-use grey water

3. Desalinate more seawater: two desalination plants now meet 25% of the water demand. 

Despite these impressive actions, Singapore has to import water from Malaysia. 

India and Pakistan Water treaty

The divisoin of British India, to make India and Pakistan led to the division of the Indus River system.

led to dispute over river system as both countries relied heavily on water system.

with help of world bank. with mediatation from world bank they signed Indus water treaty.

• India get control over eastern rivers

• Pakistan gets control over western water

• Both countries agreed to consult on large scale water projects (like dams and irrigation)

• Establishment of Indus commision to resolve future disputes

Helesnki rules - Example: In the Baglihar Dam dispute (2007), Pakistan challenged India’s project based on the treaty's provisions, and the dispute was resolved by a neutral expert in line with Helsinki principles.

However disputes over unrelated things can threaten the treaty

Monotoring volcanos

Scientists monitered st helens volcano and detecgting gas emisions and increasied siesmic actiivyt. Meant they could evacuate thousands of people (decreased social impacts but couldnt reduce economic impacts (property damage/building loss)