Topic 4.2: Water Access, Use and Security Questions

A news report says that a quarter of the world's people live in countries facing water scarcity. Define water scarcity.

Ranpur is a farming district with a monsoon climate: most rain falls from June to September. Farmers grow wheat in the dry months. Figure 1 shows its rainfall, mean monthly temperature and irrigation water use over one year. Outline one reason for the variation in agricultural water use, as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 shows water stress, the ratio of withdrawals to supply, in ten countries of Meridonia in 2010 and as predicted for 2035. Meridonia is a made-up continent.

Figure 1 is a fact file on water around Lake Tarren, and Figure 2 shows how the water is used. Lake Tarren is a made-up place. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, identify one conflict over freshwater resources around Lake Tarren.

Figure 1 shows how much water is needed to grow 1 kg of some fruits and vegetables. State the crop which needs the most water to produce 1 kg.

The Sorrel Valley is a fruit-growing area with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Figure 1 shows its rainfall, mean monthly temperature and irrigation water use over one year. Outline one reason for the variation in agricultural water use, as shown in Figure 1.

Egypt has under 600 m³ of renewable freshwater per person each year; Canada has about 75,000. Identify one reason why freshwater is distributed unevenly between regions of the world.

Figure 1 shows water stress, the ratio of withdrawals to supply, in nine countries of Borealis in 2020 and as predicted for 2050. Borealis is a made-up continent.

Figure 1 is a fact file on the Lema River, and Figure 2 shows how its water is used. The Lema and the countries it flows through are made up. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, identify one conflict over freshwater resources along the Lema River.

Flint, Michigan, is in a region with plenty of fresh water, yet in 2014-2015 lead from old pipes made its tap water unsafe to drink. Distinguish between water scarcity and water security.

Figure 1 shows the share of irrigated farmland under high water stress in six districts of the Varro Basin. State the district with the lowest share of irrigated farmland under high water stress.

Wildeberg is a vine-growing area in the southern hemisphere, where summer is from December to February. Figure 1 shows its rainfall, mean monthly temperature and irrigation water use over one year. Outline one reason for the variation in agricultural water use, as shown in Figure 1.

Iceland has over 400,000 m³ of renewable freshwater per person each year; Kuwait has under 10. State two reasons why freshwater availability is unevenly distributed across the world.

Jordan is one of the driest countries in the world. Define physical water scarcity.

Figure 1 shows water stress, the ratio of withdrawals to supply, in ten countries of Astrana in 2015 and as predicted for 2045. Astrana is a made-up continent.

The Congo River carries huge amounts of water, yet many people nearby have no tap at home. Define economic water scarcity.

Figure 1 is a fact file on water in the Valle Rojo region, and Figure 2 shows how its water is used. Valle Rojo is a made-up region. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, identify one conflict over freshwater resources in the Valle Rojo region.

Figure 1 is a fact file on the water supply of Lhundar, a town in a Himalayan valley. Identify one issue that could stop the improvement of the water supply in the town.

Figure 1 is a fact file on the water supply of Valmont, an Alpine town. Identify one issue that could stop the improvement of the water supply in Valmont.

In early 2018, Cape Town in South Africa asked each person to use no more than 50 litres of water a day as its dams ran low. Define the term water security.