Water shortages and the rising demand for water

Recap – what do the following terms mean?Water surplus• More water gained through precipitation than water that

is lost through evapo-transpiration.

Water shortage• More water lost through evapo-transpiration, than water

gained through precipitation

Water shortages and the rising demand for water

To give you an idea of the problems with water shortages...

• 884 million people, lack access to safe water supplies, approximately one in eight people.

• Each year, 3.575 million people die from water-related disease.

• 2.5 billion people lack access to improved sanitation, including 1.2 billion people who have no facilities at all.

• Every 15 seconds, a child dies from a water-related disease.

• Millions of women and children spend several hours a day collecting water from distant, often polluted sources.

• At any given time, 50% of the world's hospital beds are occupied by patients suffering from a water-related disease.

Key terms

• Water stress – occurs where there is not enough water for all uses, whether agricultural, industrial or domestic. In general terms, less than 1,700 cubic meters per person per year means that countries begin to experience periodic or regular water stress.

• Water scarcity – where water supplies are not adequate enough to meet demands – usually below 1,000 cubic meters per person per year. This can either be due to economic reasons (e.g. lack of finance to buy water) or physical reasons (e.g. desert areas that receive little/no rainfall). Water scarcity damages economic development and human health and well-being.

Why is the situation of water stress and water scarcity expected to worsen in the

future?

Use the information from the worksheet “What causes water shortage? What is the future for our water supplies?” to give detailed explanations to answer this question…

CASE STUDY: A country with a rising demand for water: India

• Can you think of reasons why India might have a rising demand for water?

Assessed case study card

• You need to produce (and complete for h/w) a case study card (max 1 side of A4) using the information provided to summarise the rising demand for water in India.

• You will be given a grade for this which will count towards your next SSA.

You need to include:1. A sketch map (hand drawn, with title, north arrow,

key, scale)2. The reasons why there is a rising demand for water in

India (causes) – what is the water in India used for now?

3. The outlook for the future; what water needs are increasing in India and why?

4. A brief section on the possible impacts this might have (consequences)