WATER

By the end of the topic candidates should be able to:

 Describe methods of water supply (including reservoirs/dams, wells and boreholes,

desalination).
 Describe the proportion of water used for agriculture, domestic, and industrial
purposes in countries at different levels of economic development.
 Explain why there are some water shortages in some areas.
 Explain the impact of lack of access to clean water on local people and the potential
for economic development.
 Demonstrate that careful management is needed to ensure future water supplies.
 Use a case study to describe water supply in a country or area.

METHODS OF WATER SUPPLY

 Water supply is the provision of water from its source to the point of usage.
 Water comes from TWO major sources:
(a) Surface water-
 This is water that exists on the ground surface.
 This includes rivers and lakes which are normally dammed by people to create
reservoirs such as dams.
i) Dams and reservoirs
 A dam is a barrier that holds back water.
 They are used to save water for future use.
 They can also be used to prevent the flow of excess water into specific
regions.
 A reservoir is an artificial lake used for storing water.
 Most reservoirs are held behind dams.
(b) Ground water
 This is water that exists underground/below the earth’s surface.
 This water is trapped in underground rocks to form aquifers.
 This water infiltrates and percolates during and soon after rainfall.
 People extract this water for use through wells and boreholes.
 Sometimes this water can flow out on its own through springs.
i) Wells and boreholes
 These are shafts sunk to tap underground water.
 A borehole is usually drilled by a machine and is relatively small in diameter.
 Wells are relatively large in diameter and are often sunk by hand.

c) Desalination

 This is the removal of salts from saline (salty) water to produce potable water (water
suitable for human consumption).
  This can be done by:
i) Thermal process
 This is evaporation of water to remove salts.
ii) Reverse osmosis
 This is when water is forced through a semi-permeable membrane to remove
salts.

USES OF WATER

a) Agriculture
 The water is used for crop production through irrigation.
b) Domestic
 For domestic purposes, water is used for washing, cooking, drinking and
recreational facilities
 In MEDCs, people use large volumes of water each day for washing, flushing
toilets, watering gardens and washing cars.
 In many LEDCs, people use less water for domestic purposes since most
people don’t own cars, flushing toilets etc
c) Industrial
 In industries water is used in the manufacturing processes and cooling engines.
d) Recreational purposes
 Water can be used for water sport, tourism, swimming etc
e) Sport

VARIATIONS IN WATER USAGE

 There are variations in water usage between the developed and developing countries.
 In developing countries, agriculture accounts for over 80% of total water use because
most developing countries depend on this primary sector.
 This is followed by industry and lastly domestic purposes.
 In developed countries the highest proportion of water is used in industry.
 This is followed by agriculture and lastly domestic use
 As countries become more economically developed the demand for water increases
especially in industrial and domestic sectors.
 Water usage per person is much greater in MEDCs than in LEDCs.
 This situation creates competition for the use of the available water resources which
calls for careful management and sustainable use of the available water resources.

CAUSES FOR WATER SHORTAGES

1. Population growth leads to water scarcity since this increases pressure on available
water sources.
 2. Pollution of water makes the water unfit for human consumption so there will be
shortages of potable water (drinking water).
3. As a country’s economy develops, there will be increased demand of water for
industrial and domestic purposes which makes it inadequate.
4. Lack of proper sewage treatment means water will be pumped into water sources
resulting to scarcity of safe drinking water (potable water).
5. Imbalances in the sharing of water sources will make some people control large
percentages of shared water resources leading to a shortage for others.
6. If water is not appropriately or sparingly used, there will be water shortages.

THE IMPACT OF LACK OF ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER ON LOCAL PEOPLE

AND THE POTENTIAL FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Lack of access to clean water can cause some water borne diseases e.g. typhoid,
dysentery.
2. If the people become sick they will be too weak to ensure meaningful economic
production hence negatively impacting development.
3. The government’s resources meant for development will be drained in taking care of
the sick.
4. There may be a lack of water for use in agriculture causing the yields of
crops/livestock to be low.
5. There will be insufficient water for development of some manufacturing industries
resulting to reduced production
6. There will be poor sanitation causing people to live in degraded and often dangerous
environments.
7. Lack of access to clean water can also lead to death due to water borne diseases and
dehydration.
8. This will also cause people to relocate due to drought.
9. This also increases expenditure for purification of water so as to make it potable.

WATER CONSERVATION WAYS

 Reduce water leakages from pipes and reservoirs. This may reduce water losses by 25
%.
 Recycle water to create grey water which can be used for other functions besides
drinking e.g. flush toilets, watering gardens and golf courses.
 Charging higher prices to encourage careful use of water e.g. by industrialists and
farmers.
 Use dry or low-water-use systems /toilets in urban sanitation systems.
 Use water conserving irrigation systems such as drip irrigation.
 Grow less water dependent crops.
 Educate people on ways of conserving water.
 Use the law to punish people who abuse water.
 Water harvesting during the time of rains/damming rivers.
 Drainage basin management to prevent siltation of water bodies like dams.
 QUESTIONS

1. Explain how poor water supply may the development of a country. [5] (2217/O/N/19)
2. Explain how water can be used in a sustainable way. [5] (2217/M/J/12)
3. Describe other methods which can be used to supply more water to areas which need
it. [4] (2217/M/J/12)
4. Explain how improving the water supply in LEDCs is likely to improve the quality of
life. [3] (2217/M/J/12)
5. Suggest methods which could be used to reduce water shortages. [4]
(2217/13/M/J/11)
6. expl

CASE STUDY: WATER SUPPLY IN A COUNTRY OR AREA

COUNTRY: LESOTHO

 Lesotho is a high-altitude, landlocked country encircled by South Africa. It has a land

area of 30,355 km². It has a population of 2.2 million and a population density of 68
people per km2.
 Its main sources of water come from the ground and surface water.
 The surface water sources supply 5m3 per year. This is mainly from rivers such as
Malibamatso River from which dams such Katse dam were created.
 This damming process has created large artificial lakes. The water from dams is then
diverted to the north through tunnels to South African rivers. These rivers lead to the
Vaal Dam which supplies the densely populated urban and industrial region around
Johannesburg and Pretoria.
 The underground water sources supply 1m3 per year of internal renewable water
sources.
 Water is used for:
 Municipal use where the water is used in homes for cooking, washing etc and this
account for 45%. The Highlands Water Project provides water for the capital,
Maseru, in times of shortage.
 Industrial use where water is used for manufacturing processes in different
industries and this accounts for 45% usage.
 Agricultural use where water is used for example in irrigation which has a
proportion of 8.6% usage
 Lesotho Highlands Water Project is an ongoing water supply project with
hydropower components (Muela hydroelectric power), organised by the
government and the help of South Africa.

TASK

 Work on a case study of causes of water shortages and careful management of

water.