Key Terms: Water Security (AQA A Level Geography): Revision Note

Water security - key terms

Aquifer – A water-bearing layer of permeable rock, sand, or gravel that stores groundwater and can be tapped via wells or boreholes.

Artesian aquifer – A confined aquifer under pressure where water can rise to the surface naturally without pumping.

Borehole – A narrow shaft drilled into the ground to access groundwater.

Catchment area – The land area from which water drains into a specific river, lake, or reservoir.

Desalination – The process of removing salt and other minerals from seawater to make it drinkable, using distillation or reverse osmosis.

Drainage basin – The area of land drained by a river and its tributaries.

Groundwater recharge – The process by which water infiltrates through soil and rock to replenish an aquifer.

Greywater – Wastewater from domestic activities (excluding toilets), which can be recycled for uses like toilet flushing and irrigation.

Over-abstraction – Extracting water from a source faster than it can be naturally replenished, leading to depletion.

Rainwater harvesting – Collecting and storing rainwater, often from rooftops, for domestic or agricultural use.

Reservoir – A large natural or artificial lake used to store water for human use.

Sprinkler irrigation – A method of watering crops that reduces water waste compared to traditional irrigation channels.

Sustainable water management – Using water in ways that meet current needs without compromising future supply or ecosystem health.

Water recycling – Treating wastewater so it can be reused, often in agriculture or industry.

Water stress – When water demand exceeds the available amount during a certain period or when poor quality restricts use.

Water table – The upper level of an aquifer, where the soil or rock is fully saturated with water.

Water and physical geography - key terms

Evapotranspiration – The combined process of water evaporating from surfaces and transpiring from plants.

Impermeable rock – Rock that does not allow water to pass through, reducing groundwater recharge and increasing surface runoff.

Infiltration – The process by which water soaks into the soil from the surface.

Percolation – The downward movement of water through soil and rock layers to recharge aquifers.

Porosity – The volume of space within soil or rock that can hold water.

Precipitation – Any form of water (rain, snow, sleet) falling from the atmosphere, affecting surface and groundwater availability.

Relief – The shape of the land; steep relief can increase runoff, while gentle relief favours infiltration.

Seasonal rainfall – Rainfall that varies by season, requiring water storage or conservation in drier periods.

Vegetation cover – Influences water availability through interception, absorption, and transpiration.

Wind – Affects rates of evaporation and humidity, influencing water balance in certain climates.

Increasing water supply - key terms

Aqueduct – A structure or system used to transport water from one place to another, often over long distances.

Direct injection – Artificial recharge of aquifers by pumping treated water directly into the ground.

Distillation – A desalination method using heat to separate fresh water from salt.

Diversion scheme – A project that transfers water from surplus areas to those experiencing shortages.

Grey infrastructure – Traditional water management structures such as dams, pipes, and treatment plants.

Reservoir creation – Damming rivers to store large quantities of water for future use in agriculture, industry, or homes.

Reverse osmosis – A modern desalination method that filters seawater through a membrane at high pressure.

Rooftop harvesting – Capturing and storing rainwater from roofs, often for domestic use in water-scarce regions.

Water transfer – Moving water between drainage basins or regions using pipelines, canals, or diversions.

Managing water security - key terms

Conservation – Reducing water use through behavioural change or improved technology.

Dual-flush toilets – Toilets designed with two flush options to reduce unnecessary water use.

Leak detection – Systems (like AI used by Thames Water) to identify and fix leaks in water supply networks.

Mulching – Covering soil with material to reduce evaporation and maintain soil moisture.

No-till agriculture – Farming practice that reduces soil disturbance, conserving water and reducing runoff.

Retaining stubble – Leaving crop remains on fields after harvest to improve soil moisture retention.

Smart meters – Devices that allow users to track their water consumption in real time.

Stubble retention – Leaving the remains of crops in fields to reduce evaporation and soil erosion.

Virtual water trade – Importing goods that require a lot of water to produce instead of using domestic water resources.

Water footprint – The total volume of freshwater used to produce goods and services consumed.

Water metering – Measuring water usage to encourage efficiency and detect waste.

Well recharge – Artificially refilling aquifers by directing water into recharge wells or infiltration basins.

Water wars - key terms

International water conflict – Disagreements between countries over shared water sources, such as the Nile Basin, where upstream developments threaten downstream supply.

Water scarcity – A driver of conflict when demand for water exceeds supply or access is unequal.

Water rights – Legal entitlements to use water, often disputed in areas with shared or contested resources.