Water Access, Use & Security

Flashcards on Water Access, Use & Security based on DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS): HL

What is water security?

Having access to sufficient amounts of safe drinking water.

What are some social factors affecting water availability?

Population growth, population density, urbanization, and living standards.

How can increased population density strain water resources?

Increased water demand for domestic, agricultural, and industrial purposes.

How do living standards affect water usage?

Developed countries often use more water per capita than developing countries.

What are some cultural factors affecting water availability?

Water conservation, consumerism, traditional agriculture, and cultural attitudes towards water pollution.

How can traditional agriculture impact water availability?

Some traditional agricultural methods may use water inefficiently.

How does economic development affect water availability?

Industrial activities require significant water resources.

What are some elements of well-developed water management systems?

Reservoirs, dams, canals, and pipelines.

What is a major water consumer, as exemplified by Egypt's use of the Nile River?

Agriculture.

How do government policies affect water availability?

Policies and regulations affect water distribution and quality.

What is necessary for transboundary water management?

Cooperation between countries is required.

How can conflict and stability affect water availability?

Political instability and conflicts can disrupt water supplies.

What factors contribute to abundant freshwater resources in certain geographical locations?

Proximity to large rivers, lakes, or high rainfall.

How does topography influence water availability?

Mountainous regions often have better access to freshwater due to higher precipitation rates and the presence of glaciers and snowpack.

What are dams and reservoirs?

Structures built to store water, regulate flow, and prevent floods.

What is an example of a dam and reservoir?

The Hoover Dam in the USA creates Lake Mead.

What are rainwater catchment systems?

Collecting and storing rainwater runoff for domestic use.

What is an example of rainwater catchment systems in practice?

Rooftop rainwater harvesting in Chennai, India.

What is desalination?

Removing salt and minerals from seawater to produce freshwater.

What is an example of a desalination plant?

The Jebel Ali Desalination Plant in Dubai.

What is the enhancement of natural wetlands?

Improving wetlands to act as natural filters and aid groundwater recharge.

What is an example of wetland enhancement?

Restoring the Everglades in Florida, USA.

What is an improvement of irrigation methods?

Using efficient irrigation techniques like drip irrigation to reduce water wastage in agriculture.

What can complement measures for increasing water supply?

Water conservation practices, recycling and reuse, recharging of aquifers, and sustainable agriculture.

What is water recycling and reuse?

Treating wastewater for reuse in industrial processes or irrigation.

What is an example of water recycling and reuse?

Singapore's NEWater project.

What is artificial recharge of aquifers?

Directing surface water into the ground to replenish aquifers.

What is an example of artificial recharge of aquifers?

Managed aquifer recharge projects in California, USA.

What is redistribution of water?

Transferring water from water-rich regions to areas experiencing scarcity via canals and pipelines.

What is an example of water redistribution?

The Central Arizona Project in the USA redistributes water from the Colorado River.

What are effective approaches to increase water availability?

Dams, reservoirs, rainwater catchment systems, desalination plants, and enhancement of natural wetlands.

What are the two main types of water scarcity?

Physical water scarcity and economic water scarcity.

What is physical water scarcity?

demand for water outstrips supply, often due to arid climate and low rainfall.

What is economic water scarcity?

Water is available but people can’t afford it or the infrastructure is inadequate.

What is metering in domestic water conservation?

Install water meters to monitor and control water usage accurately.

What is rationing in domestic water conservation?

Set limits on water usage per household, implementing quotas or tariffs based on usage levels.

What is grey-water recycling in domestic water conservation?

Capture and treat greywater for reuse in non-potable applications like toilet flushing or outdoor irrigation.

What are low-flush toilets in domestic water conservation?

Install toilets with low-flow mechanisms to reduce water usage per flush.

What is rainwater harvesting in domestic water conservation?

Collect and store rainwater for tasks such as watering gardens or washing vehicles.

How can greenhouses be used in industrial water conservation?

Use greenhouses equipped with large-scale rainwater harvesting systems.

What are aquaponics systems?

Combine fish farming with hydroponic plant cultivation in closed-loop systems.

What is drip irrigation in industrial water conservation?

Install agricultural drip irrigation systems to deliver water directly to the roots of crop plants.

What are drought-resistant crops?

Develop and cultivate crops that are resilient to drought conditions.

What is switching to vegetarian food production?

Transition to plant-based agriculture to reduce the significant water usage associated with livestock farming.

What water pricing mechanisms are used in Australia to address water scarcity?

Tiered water pricing and water trading.

What are examples of desalination plants in Australia?

Sydney Desalination Plant and Perth Desalination Plant.

What are examples of water recycling programs in Australia?

Using a separate 'purple pipe' system for non-potable uses and the Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme.

How is crop selection and rotation used in Australia to address water scarcity?

Farmers are encouraged to grow crops like sorghum and millet.

What strategies are used in Australia for community awareness and education on water conservation?

Public awareness campaigns and school education programs.

What are some potential consequences of exceeding the freshwater planetary boundary?

Dried-up rivers and lakes, depletion of groundwater reserves, and loss of biodiversity and freshwater ecosystems.

How do scientists monitor freshwater use for the planetary boundary?

Monitoring freshwater use by comparing the amount withdrawn for human activities to the natural replenishment rate.

What is a mitigation strategy for exceeding the freshwater boundary?

Raising awareness and creating policies to manage water use sustainably.

How many countries share the Mekong River?

Six countries, including China and Vietnam.

What does an individual water footprint measure?

Direct use (water for drinking and washing) and indirect use (water needed to grow food and manufacture goods).

What industries or products have high water footprints?

Growing crops like rice and cotton, and meat production.

How can water footprint analysis inform sustainable decision-making?

Governments can create water-saving policies, and consumers can choose products with lower water demands.

What do participants in citizen science projects do to monitor and manage water resources?

Collect data on water quality, quantity, and other factors.

What is water stress?

It considers not only the amount of available water but also the water’s quality, environmental flows, and accessibility.

What are environmental flows?

The amount of water needed in rivers, lakes, and wetlands to support healthy ecosystems.

What factors affect accessibility to clean, usable water?

Infrastructure, distance to water sources, and affordability.

How is water stress measured?

A situation where the available clean, accessible water supply is less than 1,700 cubic meters per person per year.

Why does industrialization in emerging economies increase water demand?

More factories, greater energy production, and increasing urbanization.

What are the impacts of water stress?

Water stress can reduce crop yields, disrupt industries, and lead to diseases.

What are dams?

They are large structures built across rivers to store water for future use, providing hydroelectric power and flood control.

What are some limitations of dams?

Floods ecosystems upstream, disrupts river flow, and can displace human communities.

What is water transfer?

Moving water from areas with surplus supply to regions with shortages, typically through canals or pipelines to balance regional water availability.

What are some limitations of water transfer?

High cost of infrastructure and maintenance, potential disruption of ecosystems, and possible introduction of invasive species.

What are pipelines?

Underground or above-ground pipes that transport water over long distances to areas where it's needed.

What are some limitations of pipelines?

Limited flexibility for future demand, difficult to monitor and repair if underground, and disruption and visual pollution if surface pipelines.

What are water tankers?

Large vehicles used to transport water over large distances quickly to areas in critical need or emergencies.

What are some limitations of water tankers?

Expensive to operate over long distances and high environmental impact due to the carbon footprint.

What is estuary storage with barrages?

Trapping water during high tides and using it during low tides or droughts in coastal areas.

What are some limitations of estuary storage with barrages?

Expensive to construct and maintain, ecological impacts on estuarine ecosystems, and can alter tidal flows.

What is rainmaking (cloud seeding)?

A form of weather modification that involves dispersing substances into clouds to encourage precipitation.

What are some limitations of rainmaking?

Expensive and requires favorable weather conditions, and long-term environmental impacts are not fully understood.

What is desalination?

The process of removing salt from seawater to make it suitable for drinking or irrigation.

What are some small scale desalinization methods?

Solar distillation and dew harvesting.

What are the advantages of dew harvesting?

Provides a local, low-energy source of water in arid regions.

What are the differences between ASR and AR?

ASR stores water for later use, while AR actively replenishes aquifers.

What is brine?

The concentrated salty water left over after the desalination process.

How can air pollution from desalination be mitigated?

transitioning to renewable energy sources.

How can saline intrusion into aquifers be mitigated?

monitoring of groundwater levels and limiting extraction rates.

What is water equity?

Ensuring everyone has access to safe, clean drinking water and sanitation.

Who are most likely to be disproportionately impacted by water inequity?

marginalized groups such as indigenous peoples, low-income communities, and women.