Water management strategies
Big idea: There are many ways to increase water supply or reduce demand. The best approach depends on local conditions, available technology, and economic resources.
Increasing supply
- Dams and reservoirs — store water for dry periods (but displace communities, block fish migration)
- Desalination — removes salt from seawater (expensive, energy-intensive)
- Groundwater extraction — pumping from aquifers (risk of depletion, subsidence)
- Water transfer schemes — moving water between basins (expensive, environmental impacts)
- Rainwater harvesting — collecting precipitation (low-tech, local scale)
Reducing demand
- Drip irrigation — delivers water directly to plant roots (reduces waste by 30-70%)
- Water-efficient appliances — low-flow toilets, showerheads, washing machines
- Water pricing — higher prices encourage conservation
- Greywater recycling — reusing sink/shower water for gardens
- Public education — awareness campaigns reduce waste
- Fixing leaks — up to 30% of water lost in old infrastructure
When asked for management strategies, give a mix of supply-side and demand-side options. For each, add one quick drawback (cost, energy use, environmental impacts) to show evaluation.
Free preview
This is the free notes preview
You're reading the free notes. Aimnova Pro unlocks the full study experience — and you can try it free for 7 days:
- FlashcardsLock in vocabulary and key terms with spaced repetition.
- Practice questionsAnswer exam-style questions and get instant AI marking.
- Mock exams & past-paper vaultSit full mocks and see exactly how examiners award marks.
- Personalised study planA daily plan built around your exam date and weak areas.
Start your 7-day free trial Full access to Aimnova Pro · cancel anytime
IB-style question — evaluate desalination as a water strategy [4]
A coastal city is considering building a desalination plant to secure its water supply. Evaluate desalination as a strategy for sustainably managing water supply. [4]
How to answer it, step by step
- {"label":"**Give the advantages (max 2)**","body":"**Why it helps**<br>• Seawater supply is huge and rainfall-independent<br>• Produces safe drinking water → strong water security"}
- {"label":"**Give the disadvantages (max 2)**","body":"**Why it's limited**<br>• Very energy-intensive → high cost and emissions if fossil-fuelled<br>• Only works on coasts, and salty brine waste harms marine life"}
Final answer
Evaluate means BOTH sides — give pros AND cons; only one side caps you at 3 marks.