Water Security (Cambridge (CIE) AS Environmental Management)

Revision Note

Author

Alistair Marjot

Expertise

Biology & Environmental Systems and Societies

Causes of Water Insecurity

Water is unevenly distributed around the globe
There are significant areas of water surplus and water deficit
Around 450 million people in LICs suffer from severe water shortages
Around 1.2 billion live in areas of water scarcity
Physical water scarcity occurs where demand for water outstrips supply, often due to arid climate and low rainfall
Economic water scarcity is where water is available but people can’t afford it or the infrastructure is inadequate

Map showing the global pattern of water scarcity — **Global pattern of water scarcity**

Map showing global freshwater availability — **Access to an adequate supply of freshwater varies widely across the globe due to a number of factors**

Water Security

The term water security can be defined as 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
There are many different causes of water insecurity

What Are the Causes of Water Insecurity?

Causes of Water Insecurity

Cause of water insecurity	Explanation
Climate change	Changes in rainfall patterns and increasing temperatures impact water availability, leading to droughts and floods
Natural disasters	Droughts and flooding, made worse by climate change, reduce water availability and contaminate water sources - droughts reduce water availability for agriculture, industry and domestic use, while floods contaminate water sources and damage infrastructure
Pollution events	Industrial discharges, agricultural runoff and untreated sewage pollute water sources, making them unsafe for use and unsuitable for human consumption
Inadequate sanitation	Lack of proper sanitation facilities and wastewater treatment contaminates water sources, posing health risks such as the spread of waterborne diseases
Population growth and land usage	Population growth, deforestation and urbanisation increase water demand and alter the water cycle, increasing water scarcity
Competing demands from various sectors	Agriculture, industry, energy and domestic sectors compete for water resources, leading to overexploitation and rapid depletion of water sources in some regions
Mismanagement of irrigation	Inefficient irrigation practices lead to soil salinisation, reducing agricultural productivity and increasing water scarcity
International competition	Disputes over transboundary rivers and aquifers lead to conflicts among neighbouring countries over water allocation and usage right
Inequality of availability	Disparities in water availability between water-rich and water-poor regions can worsen socioeconomic inequalities and hinder development
Differing access to safe drinking water	Disparities in access to safe drinking water exist between urban and rural areas, with marginalised communities facing challenges in accessing clean and reliable water sources

Satellite images of the Aral Sea in Central Asia between 1989 and 2009 show a dramatic loss of water due to unsustainable abstraction (NASA, derivative work by Zafiroblue05 at en.wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Impacts of Water Insecurity

What Are the Impacts of Water Insecurity?

Reduced crop yield and crop failure:
- Water scarcity limits irrigation for agricultural crops, resulting in reduced yields and crop failure
- Lack of water leads to stunted plant growth, wilting and decreased productivity, impacting food production and livelihoods
Livestock death:
- Water scarcity affects access to drinking water for livestock, leading to dehydration, reduced milk production and, ultimately, death
- Limited water availability also affects the availability of fodder and grazing land, further impacting livestock health and productivity
Food shortages, malnutrition and famine:
- Water insecurity contributes to food shortages and inadequate nutrition, particularly in regions heavily reliant on rain-fed agriculture
- Reduced crop yields and livestock productivity lead to food scarcity, malnutrition and famine, increasing poverty and socio-economic inequalities
Illness caused by contaminated drinking water:
- Waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea and cholera are prevalent in areas with inadequate access to clean drinking water
- Contaminated water sources contain pathogens, leading to outbreaks of waterborne illnesses and widespread health impacts, particularly among children and vulnerable populations such as the elderly

Diarrhoea

Aspect	Details
Symptoms	Frequent, loose, watery bowel movements Abdominal cramps, bloating, nausea Dehydration
Causes	Contaminated water or food with bacteria, viruses, or parasites Poor sanitation and hygiene practices
Treatment	Oral rehydration therapy (ORT)
Prevention	Improved sanitation and safe drinking water

Cholera

Aspect	Details
Symptoms	Profuse, watery diarrhoea (rice-water stool) Vomiting, muscle cramps, dehydration, shock
Causes	Ingestion of water or food contaminated with Vibrio cholerae bacteria Outbreaks in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene facilities
Treatment	Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) Antibiotics in severe cases
Prevention	Improved sanitation and safe drinking water Vaccination campaigns in high-risk areas

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