England's Water Futures Flashcards

This set of 36 vocabulary flashcards covers household water usage statistics, government targets, efficiency measures, and sustainable water management strategies in England based on the provided lecture notes.

Actual Daily Water Use

The measured amount of water used by people in England, which is approximately $140\,\text{litres}$ a day.

Estimated Daily Water Use (Survey)

The amount of water people in England perceived they used according to a 2023 survey, totaling $57\,\text{litres}$ a day.

2038 Government Target

The goal to reduce household water use to $122\,\text{litres}$ per person per day.

2050 Government Target

The goal to reduce household water use to $110\,\text{litres}$ per person per day.

Flushing toilets

The largest single use of household water in England, accounting for $30\%$ of consumption.

Personal washing

Household water activities like showering and bathing, which account for $25\%$ of estimated use.

Washing machines

Appliances used for laundry that contribute $21\%$ to household water use.

Washing up

The process of cleaning dishes, which accounts for $8\%$ of estimated household water use.

Garden use

Outdoor water consumption that makes up $7\%$ of the estimated household total.

Drinking water

Water consumed for hydration, representing only $4\%$ of household water use.

Other uses

Miscellaneous household water requirements that account for $5\%$ of use.

Dual flush toilets

Bathroom fittings that provide two different volumes of water to reduce waste during flushing.

Ceramic washers

Components fitted to taps to stop dripping and reduce water loss from leaks.

Rainwater harvesting

The process of collecting and storing rainwater in underground tanks for flushing toilets and gardening.

Water butts

Containers used in gardens to collect rainwater for later plant care.

Drought-resistant plants

Specific vegetation planted in gardens to survive with minimal water consumption.

Water recycling systems

Technologies that treat waste water so it can be safely put back into the water system for reuse.

Greywater

Water collected from showers, baths, and washing machines for secondary use in the garden.

Water pollution reduction

A strategy to increase sources of safe water by decreasing levels of contaminants.

Desalination plants

Expensive facilities that convert brackish (slightly salty) water into clean drinking water.

Brackish water

Water that is slightly salty, often treated in desalination plants.

Thames desalination plant

A specific facility that produces $140-150\,\text{million}$ litres of water per day.

Reservoirs

Structures built to store water during times of excessive rainfall for transfer to other areas when needed.

Daily Leakage in England

The estimated amount of water lost each day to leaks, exceeding $3\,\text{billion}$ litres.

Leakage Percentage

The proportion of total water supply lost to leaks, estimated at approximately $20\%\text{.}$

Groundwater systems

Underground water resources that experience less pressure when leakage and extraction are reduced.

Water extraction

The process of taking water from rivers and groundwater, which can be minimized by reducing leakage.

Sustainable water future

A long-term management approach focusing on efficiency, recycling, and reduced pollution.

Water-efficient appliances

Kitchen or bathroom tools, such as dishwashers or washing machines, designed to use minimal water.

Raising awareness

The process of informing households about their water usage to encourage lower consumption.

Excessive water use in gardens

A suggested reason for high domestic consumption, often manageable via water butts or specific plant choices.

Underground water tank

A storage unit for harvested rainwater used for non-potable tasks like toilet flushing.

Domestic water consumption

The total amount of water used by households, which is currently higher in England than in many other European countries.

Smaller baths

A water-efficient bathroom fitting designed to reduce the volume of water required for personal hygiene.

Water transfer

The movement of stored reservoir water to different regions during times of need.

Fully loaded appliances

A practice recommended for dishwashers and washing machines to ensure water is used efficiently.