6.3.1

Water Surplus & Water Deficit

Test yourself

What is a Water Surplus?

The amount of water in an area and the demand for water in an area determine whether the area has a water surplus or a water deficit.

Illustrative background for What is a water surplusIllustrative background for What is a water surplus ?? "content

What is a water surplus

  • An area with a water surplus has more water than the people living in the area need to drink.
  • An area with a water surplus is described as having 'water security'.
Illustrative background for What is a water deficit?Illustrative background for What is a water deficit? ?? "content

What is a water deficit?

  • An area with a water deficit has less water than the people living in the area need to drink.
  • An area with a water deficit is described as having 'water insecurity'.
Illustrative background for What determines the demand for water in an area?Illustrative background for What determines the demand for water in an area? ?? "content

What determines the demand for water in an area?

  • The demand for water is determined by:
    • The number of people living in an area.
    • The population density of the area.
    • The income of people living in an area.
    • The amount of farming & livestock living in the area.
Illustrative background for What determines the supply of water in an area?Illustrative background for What determines the supply of water in an area? ?? "content

What determines the supply of water in an area?

  • The supply of water in an area is determined by:
    • The amount of rainfall in an area.
    • The amount of groundwater available.
    • Any other sources of water available (e.g. desalination plants by the sea).
Illustrative background for Which countries have water surpluses?Illustrative background for Which countries have water surpluses? ?? "content

Which countries have water surpluses?

  • In 2011, 166 countries had a water surplus.
  • The Republic of Congo, Greenland, Iceland, and Papua New Guinea had the biggest water surpluses.
  • Most countries with water deficits are found in Africa and the Middle East.
  • Qatar, Lebanon, Libya, and Mexico suffer from water deficits.

Jump to other topics

1The Challenge of Natural Hazards

1.1Natural Hazards

1.2Tectonic Hazards

1.3Weather Hazards

1.4Climate Change

2The Living World

3Physical Landscapes in the UK

3.1The UK Physical Landscape

3.2Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.3River Landscapes in the UK

3.4Glacial Landscapes in the UK

4Urban Issues & Challenges

5The Changing Economic World

6The Challenge of Resource Management

6.1Resource Management

6.2Food

6.3Water

6.4Energy

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