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Flip to reveal answersWhat is the difference between supply-side and demand-side water management?
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All 10 Flashcards — Increasing water supplies
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Question
What is the difference between supply-side and demand-side water management?
Answer
Supply-side increases available water (e.g., dams, desalination). Demand-side reduces consumption/waste (e.g., efficient irrigation, pricing, leak repair).
💡 Hint
More supply vs less use.
Question
Name two supply strategies and two demand strategies.
Answer
Supply: dams/reservoirs, desalination (also transfer, groundwater, rainwater harvesting). Demand: drip irrigation, leak repair (also pricing, education, efficient appliances, greywater).
💡 Hint
2 + 2.
Question
Name three supply-side water management strategies.
Answer
Examples include dams/reservoirs, desalination, groundwater extraction, water transfer schemes, and rainwater harvesting.
💡 Hint
Increase supply.
Question
Why is a combined approach often most effective?
Answer
Because increasing supply alone can be costly or damaging, and demand reduction alone may be insufficient; combining both improves resilience.
💡 Hint
Balance both sides.
Question
Give one common drawback of large dams.
Answer
They can displace communities and alter river ecosystems by changing flow and blocking fish migration.
💡 Hint
Social + ecological impacts.
Question
Name three demand-side water management strategies.
Answer
Examples include drip irrigation, water-efficient appliances, water pricing, greywater recycling, public education, and fixing leaks.
💡 Hint
Reduce demand.
Question
Why is desalination often controversial?
Answer
It can provide freshwater from seawater but is expensive and energy-intensive, and brine discharge can harm marine ecosystems.
💡 Hint
Cost + energy + brine.
Question
Why are leaks a major target in demand management?
Answer
Old infrastructure can lose a large share of treated water, so fixing leaks saves water without needing new supply.
💡 Hint
Save “invisible” losses.
Question
What does “best approach depends on local conditions” mean?
Answer
The most suitable strategy depends on climate, existing supply, technology, cost, governance, and environmental sensitivity.
💡 Hint
Context matters.
Question
What is a strong exam move when giving management strategies?
Answer
Give a mix of supply and demand strategies and add one clear drawback for each (cost, energy use, environmental impacts) to show evaluation.
💡 Hint
Add trade-offs.
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Full study notes for Increasing water supplies
Topic 4.2 hub
Water access, use and security
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