4.2 - water scarcity, increasing demand for water, water conservation, water stress and conflict

water scarcity

limited availability of water to meet demands for consumption, agriculture, and sanitation of societies

reasons for increased global demand for water

• increased population

  • agriculture

    • increased irrigation

  • drinking

  • sanitation

• economic development

  • rising standards of living increase per capita water usage

    • baths

    • pools

    • washing machines

    • AC

  • industrial processes

  • energy production

freshwater human usage sectors

• domestic tasks

• agriculture

• industrial

• hydropower

• transportation

• recreation

water footprint

total volume of freshwater used to produce goods and services consumed by individuals in communities

• direct

  • used in households for drinking, cooking and cleaning

• indirect

  • used to produce the food, clothing and goods we consume

national water footprint

measure of the total water consumed by country’s population and industries, including in imports

product water footprint

total amount of water required to produce a particular product from start to finish.

• awareness can help individuals/ groups make more sustainable choices

products with highest water footprints

• meat

1. beef

2. lamb

3. pork

4. chicken

• soybean

• wheat

• rice

• cotton

• dairy products

water insecurities

challenges related to the availability, quality, and management of water resources that affect access to water for drinking, sanitation, and agriculture.

countries facing water insecurity

• sub-saharan Africa

• India

• Middle East and North Africa

rainwater harvesting

sustainable practice that involves collecting and storing rainwater for later use

• useful in areas with seasonal rainfall but face water shortages during dry periods

benefits:

+reduced reliance on municipal water supplies

+provides households with an alternative water source for non-drinking purposes

dams and reservoirs

structures designed to store and regulate water

benefits:

+provide water for irrigation, drinking and industrial purposes

+generate hydroelectric power

help manage flood risks

challenges:

-can have significant environmental and social impacts

• may displace communities

• disrupts ecosystems

• alters natural water flows

• can harm downstream habitats and reduce biodiversity

desalination

process that removes salt and other impurities from seawater to produce freshwater

benefits:

+provides a reliable water source in freshwater scarce areas

challenges:

-energy-intensive

-expensive

-produces a highly concentrated salt byproduct

water transfer and pipelines

involves transporting water from regions of surplus to areas experiencing scarcity

benefits:

+can help balance water availability across regions, particularly in arid areas

challenges:

-construction and maintenance are costly

-long distance transfers can lead to water loss through evaporation and leakage

cloud seeding (rainmaking)

form of weather modification that involves dispersing substances into the atmosphere to encourage cloud formation and precipitation

benefits:

+can help improve water availability by increasing local rainfall

challenges:

-cloud seeding is unpredictable

-environmental impact concerns

domestic water conservation techniques

• water rationing

• water metering

• low flush toilets

• greenhouse recycling

• aquaponics systems

• drip irrogation

• drough-resistant crops

• vegan food production

-helps reduce water waste

-ensures that households contribute to the sustainable management of water resources

water metering

water meters provide data on consumption

benefits:

+promotes awareness of the water use

+encourages users to reduce unnecessary consumption

water rationing

technique used to limit water usage during times of water scarcity

benefits:

+helps manage demand

+ensures that limited water supply is shared equitably among residents

low flush toilets

designed to use significantly less water per flush

benefits:

+can reduce household water consumption

greenhouse recycling

due to being a controlled environment, it can enhance water efficiency by capturing and recycling rainwater for agricultural use

benefits:

+minimises the use of freshwater, by relying on natural harvest

+reduces pressure on local water sources

+allows for year-round food production

aquaponics systems

an integrated farming systems that combines aquaculture with hydroponics (growing plants without soil) in a closed-look system

benefits:

+these systems use up to 90% less water than traditional farming

+water is continuously recycled

+ideal for regions facing water scarcity

drip irrigation

method of delivering water directly to the roots through a network of pipes and emitters

benefits:

+highly efficient

+improves crop yields

drought-resistant crops

genetically modified crops or selectively bred to survive with less water

benefits:

+reduced need for irrigation

+helps farmers maintain productivity in water-stressed environments

+enhances food security in regions prone to drought

switching to vegetarian food production

plant-based foods require less water than production of animal based foods

benefits:

+significant water savings

water stress

water demand exceeds supply, leading to scarcity and competition for water resources.

-scarcity

quality

environmental flows

accessibility

political/economic challenges

causes of water sress

• increased industrialization in an emerging economy

• over-abstraction due to increased population pressure in a less economically developed countries

• transboundary disputes when water sources cross regional boundaries

higher demand = higher water stress

lower supply = higher water stress

factors affecting water supply

• poor infrastructure pipes and storage structures

• underestimation of demand by authorities

• availability may be limited due to lack of rainfall or lack of adequate natural stores

• water is finite resources

• pollution and unsustainable extraction off reserves that do not refil

industralisation

industrialization diagram

more powered produced → more industries → increased demand for power/water → power production requires more water

water stress impacts

• crop failure/ reduced yields

• die off of livestock → food shortages → poverty

• health impacts

  • malnourishment

  • starvation

  • immunity problems

• drinking contaminated water

  • diseases

• groundwater depletion

  • aquifers dry up → ground above may collapse

• female inequality

  • women are tasked with finding water in villages → prevents from schools/jobs

• forced migration

• biodiversity loss

• political conflicts

hydropolitics and water governance

• ensures equitable, efficient and environmentally protective water management

• local and global level

• necessary for responsible and sustainable use

• agreements and diplomacy are necessary

• transboundary issues

  • dams → slows downstream flow

  • water abstraction→ for social and economic uses

citizen science

monitoring and managing water resources by involving the public in data collection and analysis.