Chapter 6 Managing Water Supplies Flashcards
Managing the supply of water is one of the greatest environmental management challenges. The causes and impacts of water insecurity need to be understood in order to design effective water security management strategies.
1
Q
Describe Earth’s Water
A
- salt water in oceans
- surface fresh water
– ice sheets, glaciers, lakes, rivers, swamps,
marshes, permafrost - sub-surface fresh water
– soil moisture, ground water, permafrost - atmospheric water
2
Q
Introduction to Water Management:
A
- Definition: Water management refers to the systematic control, distribution, and allocation of water resources to meet various needs while ensuring sustainable use and environmental conservation.
- Importance: Essential for human survival, agriculture, industries, and ecosystem balance.
- Challenges: Population growth, climate change, pollution, and inefficient distribution systems.
3
Q
** Water Security**
A
The ability to access sufficient quantities of clean water to maintain adequate standards of food and
manufacturing of goods, adequate sanitation and sustainable health care
4
Q
Cause of Water Insecurity:
A
- climate change, including changes in rainfall
- natural disasters, including drought and flooding
- pollution events
- inadequate sanitation
- population growth, changes in land usage including deforestation and urbanisation
- competing demands from agricultural, industrial,
energy and domestic sectors - mismanagement of irrigation, including salinisation
- international competition over water sources
- inequality of availability between water-rich and water-poor regions
- differing access to safe drinking water in urban and rural areas
5
Q
Impact of Water Security
A
- reduced crop yield and crop failure
- livestock death
- food shortages, malnutrition and famine
- illness caused by contaminated drinking water, limited to diarrhoea and cholera
6
Q
** Strategies for Managing Water Security **
A
- sustainable water extraction and improved supply (piped supply, aquifers and artesian wells,
boreholes, gravity-fed schemes, reservoirs and dams) - reduction in water usage (improved irrigation techniques, growing crops less dependent on high water supply, recycling and rain water catchment)
- education on sustainable water use
- poverty reduction
- international agreement and water-related aid (detailed knowledge of international agreements is not required)
- rationing
7
Q
Water Sources and Availability:
A
- Surface Water: Rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Prone to pollution and seasonal variations.
- Groundwater: Stored in aquifers. Less vulnerable to pollution but can be overexploited.
- Virtual Water: Water embedded in products; understanding water usage in trade is crucial.
- Water Scarcity: Regions facing scarcity due to imbalances between demand and supply.
8
Q
Water Quality and Pollution Control:
A
- Water Quality Parameters: Physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. Regulations ensure safe drinking water.
- Sources of Pollution: Industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, sewage, and improper waste disposal.
- Pollution Control Measures: Treatment plants, regulations, public awareness, and sustainable practices.
9
Q
Water Treatment and Distribution:
A
- Water Treatment Process: Coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection. Removes impurities and pathogens.
- Distribution Systems: Pipes, pumps, and reservoirs. Maintenance and leak detection are vital for efficiency.
- Smart Water Management: IoT devices, sensors, and data analytics optimize distribution and reduce wastage.
10
Q
Water Conservation and Demand Management:
A
- Importance of Conservation: Preserves natural ecosystems, reduces energy usage, and delays costly infrastructure expansions.
- Conservation Strategies: Efficient appliances, rainwater harvesting, greywater reuse, and public awareness campaigns.
- Demand Management: Pricing mechanisms, metering, and promoting water-efficient practices in industries and agriculture.
11
Q
Agricultural Water Management:
A
- Irrigation Techniques: Drip irrigation, sprinklers, and precision farming. Reduce water wastage and increase crop yield.
- Crop Selection: Promoting drought-resistant and water-efficient crops.
- Sustainable Farming Practices: Soil health improvement, mulching, and agroforestry conserve water and enhance productivity.
12
Q
Industrial Water Management:
A
- Closed-Loop Systems: Reusing industrial water within processes reduces intake and discharge.
- Water-Efficient Technologies: Water audits, process optimization, and wastewater treatment before disposal.
- Corporate Responsibility: Industries adopting sustainable practices and investing in community water projects.
13
Q
Government Policies and International Cooperation:
A
- Legislation: Water quality standards, pollution control acts, and regulations governing water usage.
- International Cooperation: Sharing of transboundary water resources, agreements, and diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts.
- Integrated Water Resource Management: Holistic approach considering social, economic, and environmental factors.
14
Q
Case Study
A
Impact of water security has on a region and evaluate the strategies to improve water security of that region
