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Water: technology, attitudes and sustainable management
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Fresh water is vital and limited. Technology helps, but saving and sharing water fairly matters just as much.
Technology
Desalination removes salt from seawater. It is common in dry, wealthy countries in the Middle East, and London has a desalination plant at Beckton. It is reliable but uses a lot of energy and is expensive.
Water transfer schemes move water from surplus to deficit areas. Dams and reservoirs store water. Rainwater harvesting collects rain from roofs.
Water transfer schemes move water from surplus to deficit areas. Dams and reservoirs store water. Rainwater harvesting collects rain from roofs.
Different attitudes
Individuals want cheap, reliable water, but some object to new reservoirs flooding land.
Water companies must supply water and make a profit; they are criticised for leaks.
Governments set rules on pollution, prices and planning.
Farmers need water for irrigation, and environmental groups want enough water left in rivers for wildlife.
Water companies must supply water and make a profit; they are criticised for leaks.
Governments set rules on pollution, prices and planning.
Farmers need water for irrigation, and environmental groups want enough water left in rivers for wildlife.
Managing water sustainably
Developed country: the UK. Water meters encourage people to use less; companies repair leaks; hosepipe bans are used in droughts; Kielder Water in Northumberland (opened in 1982) can transfer water to rivers in north-east England.
Emerging country: China. The South-North Water Transfer Project moves water from the wetter south to the drier north, including Beijing. It increases supply but displaced people and is very costly. China is also reducing water pollution and using water-saving irrigation.
Emerging country: China. The South-North Water Transfer Project moves water from the wetter south to the drier north, including Beijing. It increases supply but displaced people and is very costly. China is also reducing water pollution and using water-saving irrigation.
Give one advantage and one disadvantage of desalination.
- Advantage: it provides a reliable supply from seawater, even in droughts.
- Disadvantage: it uses large amounts of energy, so it is expensive and can add to carbon emissions.
Answer: Reliable supply, but expensive and energy-hungry.
Desalination, transfers, reservoirs and rainwater harvesting increase supply; desalination is reliable but energy-hungry. Stakeholders have different priorities. Sustainable management: in the UK, meters, leak repairs and Kielder Water; in China, the South-North Water Transfer Project and water-saving irrigation.
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