hard and soft engineering methods

three examples of hard engineering

• 3 gorges dam

• israel desalination

• south-north transfer

what is the three gorges dam

a hydroelectric dam on the yangtze river

pros of 3 gorges dam

generates HEP which is vital for Chinas exponential growth and allows for energy secuirty

cons of 3 gorges dam

has flooded 600km² of land to form the resevoir

what are desalination plants

a series of power plants which use reverse osmosis to desalinate water

pros of desalination

supplies 70% of Irael’s domestic water

by 2013 the plants had expanded from 1 to 5

cons of desalination plants

each plant requires a power station to fuel it which increase CO₂ emissions

what is the south-north water transfer

infratsrcuture designed to move water from the humid south to the arid north

why does china need the south-north water transfer

• Beijing has 40% of chinas population but 20% of water

pros of south-north water transfer

will reduce the risk of water shortages in Beijing

cons of south-north water transfer

risks draining to much water from the south and causing drought

two soft engineering techniques

• drip irrigation

• singapore water conservtaion

what is a pro of drip irrigation

• uses smart irrigation to slowly drip water to root systems instead of wasting water

• 65% of water used in agriculture is recycled

singapore water conservation pros

leaks have been cut by 5%

grey water in toilets

cons of singapore conservtaion of water

the prices are scaled to could become expensive

high initial cost for infratsructure like NEWater plants