Sub-topic 4.2 Access to Fresh Water

Inequitable distribution

the water resources are not equally available to all - only to the rich

Physical water scarcity

the climate in that region is dry and/or the water is being over-extracted for human use, either for domestic, agricultural or industrial use. This may be for industrial uses or irrigation.

Economic water scarcity

Probably means that physical infrastructure is not in place to ensure that clean safe water is available to the population

Freshwater supplies limited by

contamination and unsustainable abstraction

abstraction

taking water out of the water table

demand for freshwater limited due to

population increase, irrigation, industrialisation

water supplies enhanced by

reservoirs, redistribution, desalinisation, artificial recharge of aquifers and rainwater harvesting; artificial glaciers, cloud seeding

water conservation strategies

drip irrigation, variable flush toilets, timed showers instead of baths, tap aerators to reduce water flow out of high pressure taps, use of grey water / storm runoff / reclaimed wastewater (already used for washing) for gardens and toilets, dry toilets, switching off tap while brushing teeth, metering water, fining companies for leaks and wasted water

water case studies

Nile River - International Water Rights - potential conflict; Aral Sea - Cash crops and poor water management; Lake Baikal - pollution and endagered species; Great Lakes - overfishing, invasive species, pollution; Mono Lake water diversion; Colorado River - Dams and over extraction; Salton Sea - Agricultural run-off; Dead Sea - water security and over extraction.