6.3.7

Sustainable Water Supply

Test yourself

How Can We Make Water Supplies Sustainable?

Water conservation, groundwater management, water recycling and the use of 'grey' water can help make our water supplies more sustainable.

Illustrative background for Water conservationIllustrative background for Water conservation ?? "content

Water conservation

  • In 2018-2019, Cape Town in South Africa suffered from a water shortage and came close to running out of water.
  • The South African government recommended flushing the toilet using 2 litres of water, calculating that each household doing this would save 7,300 litres of water per year.
  • The amount of irrigation permitted for farming was reduced by 60%.
  • Other ways of conserving water including using drip irrigation (straight into roots/soil) rather than surface irrigation, avoiding long showers, and using water meters.
Illustrative background for Groundwater managementIllustrative background for Groundwater management ?? "content

Groundwater management

  • Groundwater is water stored in soils or in pockets on top of impermeable rocks.
  • Groundwater builds up over time. Monitoring devices can make sure that we are not consuming groundwater faster than it is being replenished.
  • Avoiding putting pollution in the environment will help ensure that groundwater supplies do not become polluted and undrinkable.
  • Sometimes, countries share groundwater. The Amazonas water source is shared by Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela. If any country pollutes the groundwater, they are all affected.
  • 64% of the world's countries share aquifers with other countries.
Illustrative background for Recycling waterIllustrative background for Recycling water ?? "content

Recycling water

  • If water can be recycled then it doesn't need to be taken from reservoirs or groundwater.
  • Despite having a water deficit, Qatar uses 600 litres of water per day per person.
  • 14% of Qatar's water comes from recycled wastewater, 36% comes from the groundwater and 50% comes from desalination.
Illustrative background for 'Grey' waterIllustrative background for 'Grey' water ?? "content

'Grey' water

  • 'Grey' water is water that is recycled but probably should not be used for drinking.
  • This kind of water is ideal for flushing toilets or irrigation.

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

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson