4.2 Water Access, Use & Security (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS): HL): Flashcards

International agreements support transboundary water management and cooperation between countries sharing water resources.

False.

Geographic location, climate, and topography result in some regions having abundant freshwater resources while others have limited access.

A desalination plant is a facility that removes salt and minerals from seawater to produce freshwater for human use.

A rainwater catchment system is a method of collecting and storing rainwater from surfaces like rooftops for later use, often for irrigation or cleaning.

The main purpose of constructing dams and reservoirs is to store water, regulate flow, and prevent floods, ensuring a reliable water supply during dry periods.

Improving irrigation methods such as using drip irrigation reduces water wastage and increases the efficiency of water use in agriculture.

Artificial recharge of aquifers involves directing surface water into the ground to replenish aquifers.

True.

Enhancing natural wetlands improves their ability to filter pollutants and recharge groundwater.

The Central Arizona Project is an example of redistribution which transfers water from the Colorado River to arid regions of Arizona.

Water recycling and reuse treats wastewater so it can be used again for purposes like irrigation or industry, reducing the demand on freshwater sources.

By adopting a comprehensive and balanced approach, societies can ensure the sustainable use of freshwater resources.

A combination of strategies is important because it helps to increase water supply and promotes sustainable use by addressing different needs and challenges.

Desalination uses methods like reverse osmosis to remove salt from seawater.

Water is essential for domestic use, agriculture (such as irrigation and for livestock), and industry.

Water scarcity is a situation where the demand for water exceeds available supply, leading to shortages for people and the environment.

Water is unevenly distributed around the globe, leading to areas of surplus and deficit.

False.

Economic water scarcity occurs when water exists but people cannot access it due to cost or inadequate infrastructure.

Physical water scarcity occurs when the demand for water outstrips supply, often due to arid climate and low rainfall.

Grey-water recycling captures and treats used household water (except sewage) for reuse in non-drinking applications such as toilet flushing or garden irrigation.

Installing low-flush toilets reduces water usage per flush in homes.

Metering helps conserve water by allowing households to monitor and control usage accurately, encouraging lower consumption.

Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the roots of plants, minimising evaporation and run-off, and reducing overall water use in agriculture.

Rainwater harvesting is the collection and storage of rainwater for uses such as garden watering or washing vehicles.

Tiered water pricing increases the cost of water as usage rises, which incentivises people and businesses to conserve water.

The Sydney Desalination Plant provides up to 15% of Sydney's drinking water by removing salt from seawater.

Purple pipe systems deliver recycled water for non-potable uses such as irrigation or industrial processes, reducing demand on potable water.

Citizen science is the involvement of ordinary (non-specialist) people in scientific research, often to collect data for monitoring and managing environmental resources.

Citizen science increases public awareness of water issues and encourages local stewardship.

Citizen science projects often use standard protocols to ensure high-quality data collection.

Local governance refers to the actions of local authorities in managing water resources, such as restricting water use during droughts and encouraging conservation.

Global governance is important because international cooperation is needed for managing water sources that cross national boundaries and to prevent conflicts over shared resources.

The Indus Water Treaty regulates the use of water from the Indus River system between India and Pakistan.

The freshwater planetary boundary is the limit to how much freshwater can be used sustainably, beyond which the planet’s hydrological cycle and ecosystems may be disrupted.

Exceeding the freshwater planetary boundary can lead to abrupt changes in the hydrological cycle, such as dried-up rivers, groundwater depletion, and loss of biodiversity.

To measure the freshwater planetary boundary, scientists compare the amount of water withdrawn to the natural replenishment.

A water footprint is the total amount of water used to produce goods and services by an individual, industry, or country.

False.

National water footprints include both domestic water use and the water used to produce all imported goods.

Producing 1 kilogram of beef requires over 15 000 litres of water, making it extremely water-intensive.

Water footprint analysis can inform policies and personal choices by identifying products or activities with high water demands, encouraging water-saving decisions.

Water stress is a measure of water supply that considers the amount, quality, environmental flows, and accessibility of water.

Environmental flows are the amount of water needed in rivers, lakes, and wetlands to support healthy ecosystems.

If over abstraction occurs, ecosystems may suffer, leading to the degradation of habitats and loss of biodiversity.

Healthy ecosystems, such as wetlands and rivers, need adequate water to maintain fish populations, provide clean water, and support other species.

Accessibility refers to whether people can actually access clean, usable water, even if it exists in the local environment.

Factors affecting accessibility include infrastructure, the distance to water sources, and whether water is affordable.

True.

Even where water is abundant, accessibility issues like poor infrastructure or high costs can cause water stress.

Water stress is different from water scarcity, which only considers the absolute shortage of water in a region.

A region is defined as experiencing water stress if it has less than 1,700 cubic metres per person per year of available clean, accessible water supply.

Rapid industrialisation increases the demand for water for factories, energy production and urbanisation, often exceeding the available supply, leading to water stress.

Population growth and over-abstraction of groundwater in low-income countries can lead to water stress, especially in rural agricultural regions.

A transboundary water dispute occurs when water sources cross regional or national boundaries, leading to conflicts over access. An example is the dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia over the Nile River and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

Water stress can cause reduced crop yields and food insecurity, disrupt industries, and increase health risks such as disease from low water quality.

Desalination is the process of removing salt from seawater to produce freshwater for drinking or irrigation.

Brine discharges from desalination plants can increase the salinity of coastal waters, harming marine ecosystems and reducing biodiversity.

Desalination can help solve water stress in arid regions, but its environmental impacts cannot be completely prevented.

True.

Dilution techniques disperse the concentrated brine more evenly, reducing its impact on marine life.

Noise pollution refers to the unwanted or harmful sounds produced by desalination plant machinery, which can disturb wildlife and people nearby.

The negative effects of noise pollution can be reduced by locating desalination plants farther from sensitive habitats or residential areas.

Desalination plants powered by fossil fuels contribute to increased carbon dioxide emissions.

Transitioning desalination plants to use renewable energy sources like solar or wind can reduce carbon emissions.

Saline intrusion is the movement of saltwater into freshwater aquifers, often caused by over-extraction of groundwater or desalination activities.

Careful monitoring of groundwater levels and limiting extraction rates can help prevent saline intrusion.

Aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) is a process where surplus water is stored in underground aquifers during times of excess and later retrieved when needed.

One limitation of dams is that they can flood ecosystems and displace human communities.

Water transfer projects can help regions with water shortage by moving water from areas of surplus supply.

Artificial recharge (AR) actively increases the amount of water entering an aquifer, while ASR stores water for later use without necessarily adding new water.

Solar distillation produces water at a slow rate, making it unsuitable for large-scale needs.

Water equity is the fair distribution of water resources, ensuring everyone has access to safe, clean drinking water and sanitation.

Water equity seeks to ensure access to safe, clean drinking water and sanitation for everyone.

Inequitable access to water often affects marginalised groups such as Indigenous peoples, low-income communities, and women.

Unsafe drinking water can cause cholera, dysentery, typhoid and diarrhoea.

Unsafe water is a major contributor to malnutrition and stunted growth in children under five.

Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) focuses on ensuring access to clean water and sanitation for all.

False.

Lack of clean water hinders economic development, industry, and quality of life, making it difficult to lift people out of poverty.

In Canada, some Indigenous reserves have had boil water advisories for decades, requiring residents to boil their water before use.

If water is too expensive, low-income families may face water shut-offs or be forced to use unsafe water sources, increasing their risk of disease.

In informal settlements like Kibera in Nairobi, about 60% of residents lack access to clean toilets, leading to open defecation and health issues.

Girls may miss school during menstruation if proper sanitation facilities are unavailable, limiting their educational opportunities.

Women and girls may spend hours each day collecting water, reducing their time for education and paid work.