Water Resources

Environmental Studies

15th September, 2020

Introduction
• Water Resources are natural resources of water that are potentially useful
• 75% of the surface of the earth
• Fresh Water - 2.7% of all water
Surface water
Surface water is water in a
river, on the surface of the
ground or lake. It is
naturally replenished by
precipitation and naturally
lost through discharge to
the oceans, evaporation
and sub surface seepage.
Ground water
Ground water is also water that is
flowing within aquifers below the
water table. Sometimes it is useful to
make a distinction between sub
surface water that is closely
associated with surface water and
deep surface water in an aquifer.
 Uses of Surface
and Ground Water
• Drinking purpose

• Household purposes

• Public uses

• Irrigation uses

• Used by thermoelectric-power industry

to cool electricity generating equipment
 Over Utilisation of
Surface and Ground
Water
• Most people use water more than they
really need.

• Farmers use double the water required

for irrigation.

• Due to this we are facing water scarcity

during summers.

• It results in the decrease of groundwater.

• India is likely to face water crisis by 2025.

Flood
A Flood is an overflow of water, whenever the magnitude of flow of
water exceeds the carrying capacity of the channel within its banks
 Causes
• Heavy rainfall, Melting of
snow & Sudden release of
water from dams

• Reduction in carrying
capacity of river channels

• Deforestation, Overgrazing
& Mining
 Prevention
• Constructing dams and
reservoirs

• Channel and embankments

• Forecasting and flood

warning

• Afforestation
Drought
A Drought is a prolonged period with less
than average amounts of rain in a
particular region
 Types
1) Socio-economic
2) Meteorological
3) Hydrological
4) Agricultural

Causes
• Inadequate rainfall
• High population
• Late arrival of rains
• Reduced soil moisture
Prevention and Preparation
• Water recycling
• Rainwater harvesting
• Construction of large reservoirs
• Drip irrigation (avoids wastage)
• Mixed farming and dry farming
 Conflicts
Water conflicts can occur on the intrastate
and interstate levels. Interstate conflicts
occur between two or more neighbouring
countries that share a transboundary
water source, such as a river, sea, or
groundwater basin. For example, the
Middle East has only 1% of the world's
freshwater shared among 5% of the
world's population. Intrastate conflicts
take place between two or more parties
in the same country.
 Conflicts
• Multiple conflicts between countries.

• Around 20 major cities in India face chronic or interrupted water shortages

• Around 100 countries all around the world share the waters off 13 large rivers and lakes.

• The upstream countries could stare the downstream countries leading to political
instability.

• International accords that look at fair distribution of water will become critical to the
world peace.

• India and Bangladesh already have a pact for fair usage of the Ganges river.
 Major conflicts
River Jordan- amongst Israel, Jordan,
the Palestine authority and Lebanon

River Indus- between India and

Pakistan

River Euphrates- amongst Iraq, Syria

and Turkey

River Kaveri-between Tamil Nadu and

Karnataka (inter-state dispute)

River Nile- between Ethiopia and

Egypt
Dam
A Dam is a barrier that stops or restricts the
flow of water or underground streams
 Pros
• Hydroelectric Power
• Land Reclamation
• Flood Control
• Irrigation
• Navigation
 Cons
• Sediment Buildup
• Impact on Aquatic Life
• Mass Displacement
• Disaster Risk
• Soil Erosion
 Save water,
Save earth,
Save humanity

Don’t flush out

our planet’s
most valuable
resource
Thank You
Kavya, Sujit & Sahil