Water Supply Factors
Why water supply is uneven across the world: the factors that decide how much clean water a place has, and what water insecurity does when supply falls short.
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Free interactive practice at using the material, which is what the marks are for.
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Why water supply is uneven
Clean water is not shared evenly around the world. Some places have plenty, while others cannot get enough safe water for their people. Several factors decide the supply. Climate matters most, since low rainfall leaves rivers and reservoirs short. Over-abstraction means taking out more water than nature replaces, which drains supplies. Geology affects whether rock can store water underground. Pollution makes water unsafe to use, and limited infrastructure means water cannot be stored, cleaned or piped to where it is needed. When supply falls short a place suffers water insecurity, which brings waterborne disease, polluted water, less food and industry, and even the risk of conflict between countries sharing a river. This module looks at those factors and impacts; the next covers ways to get more.
Water supply words
Learn these before you match any factor, and keep the difference between having enough water and not in mind.
Water surplus against water deficit
The global pattern splits roughly into places with more water than they need and places that fall short.
How to link a factor to a consequence
Marks come from the chain, not the label. Start with one factor, say what it does to the amount of usable water, then follow it to a real impact on people. A dry spell means rivers run low, which means less clean water, which lets disease spread as people drink from unsafe sources. Pick a single factor, trace each step, and end at a named consequence for a place rather than listing causes and effects in two separate heaps.
Match the factor to its effect on supply
- a dry climate with low rainfall
- over-abstraction
- pollution of rivers
- limited infrastructure
- too little water falls to refill supplies
- more water is taken than is replaced
- the water becomes unsafe to use
- water cannot be stored or piped to people
Which factor is this?
In one region, factories and farms take so much water from the river each year that far more is removed than the rain can replace. Which factor is limiting the water supply?
- Over-abstraction.
- Excellent infrastructure.
- A water surplus.
- Very heavy rainfall.
Impacts of water insecurity
Select the TWO impacts that water insecurity can cause.
- Waterborne disease spread by unsafe water
- The risk of conflict between countries sharing a river
- Cleaner and safer water for everyone
- Much more food being grown
Daily water shortfall
A region can supply 600 million litres of water a day, but demand is 900 million litres a day. Subtract to find the daily shortfall, in million litres.
Order how drought causes a water crisis
Put the chain from a drought to a water crisis in order, earliest first.
- A long drought brings very little rain
- Rivers and reservoirs run low
- There is not enough clean water for people
- People use unsafe sources and disease spreads
Complete the facts
Having reliable access to enough clean water is water _____. Not being able to get enough clean water is water _____. Taking more water from a source than nature replaces is _____. Water that has been made unsafe to use has suffered _____.
Match the impact to what it means
- waterborne disease
- reduced food production
- reduced industrial output
- international conflict
- illness spread through dirty water
- crops fail without enough water to irrigate
- factories cannot run without water
- countries clash over a shared river
Spot the true water supply facts
Tap the TWO statements that are true about water supply.
- Climate is a major factor affecting water supply
- Water insecurity can spread waterborne disease
- Clean water is shared perfectly evenly worldwide
- Over-abstraction increases how much water is available
Diagnose the cause
Read each case and choose the best response, with a reason.
- A city has rivers but no pipes, treatment works or reservoirs to bring safe water to homes. Which factor is limiting the supply?
- Waste from factories has made a river unsafe to drink from. Which impact of water insecurity is this most likely to cause?
- A student lists factors and impacts in two separate blocks with no link between them. How could the answer be improved?
Explain water supply and insecurity
A dry region keeps suffering water shortages. Explain the factors that limit its water supply and the impacts of the water insecurity that follows.
- Explain how climate can limit how much water a place has
- Explain one other factor, such as over-abstraction, pollution or infrastructure
- Explain what water insecurity means
- Describe two impacts of water insecurity on the people there
- Finish with a judgement linking the main factor to its worst consequence