Factors Affecting Water Availability (HL IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))

Factors Affecting Water Availability

• Water security is having access to sufficient amounts of safe drinking water

• Water security is essential for sustainable societies

  • Without adequate water, societies cannot continue to exist

  • Human well-being and health, agriculture and industries quickly begin to deteriorate when there is a lack of water

• Many different social, cultural, economic, political and geographical factors affect the availability of freshwater

  • These factors also affect equitable access to this freshwater (i.e. how fairly this water access is distributed between societies)

Social factors

• Population growth:

  • Larger populations increase water demand

    • For example, India’s rapidly growing population is straining its water resources

• Population density:

  • Regions with higher population densities tend to experience greater pressure on water resources

  • Increased water demand for domestic, agricultural and industrial purposes can strain available supplies

• Urbanisation:

  • Cities require very large amounts of water

• Living standards:

  • Higher living standards often lead to higher water usage

    • For example, developed countries like the USA use more water per capita than developing countries

Cultural factors

• Water conservation:

  • Cultures that prioritise water conservation tend to manage their water supplies better

  • Some cultures may not prioritise water conservation, leading to wastage

    • For example, in parts of the USA, despite ongoing droughts, water usage remains high due to a lack of conservation efforts

• Consumerism:

  • High levels of consumerism often lead to increased water consumption

    • For example, in Western countries, the high demand for consumer goods results in significant water usage for manufacturing and food production

• Traditional agriculture:

  • Some traditional agricultural methods may use water inefficiently

• Cultural attitudes towards water pollution:

  • Attitudes towards pollution can affect water quality

  • In some regions, cultural indifference towards pollution has led to severe contamination of water bodies

Economic factors

• Economic development:

  • Industrial activities require significant water resources

  • Wealthier nations often have greater financial resources to invest in water infrastructure and management, which can result in better access to fresh water

  • In contrast, poorer countries may lack the means to develop and maintain robust water systems

• Investment in infrastructure:

  • The presence of well-developed water management systems, including reservoirs, dams, canals, and pipelines, can enhance water availability and distribution

  • Investing in water treatment facilities ensures a better supply of safe drinking water

• Agricultural needs:

  • Agriculture is a major water consumer

    • For example, in Egypt, a large portion of water from the Nile River is used for irrigation

Political factors

• Government policies:

  • Policies and regulations affect water distribution and quality

    • For example, South Africa’s National Water Act aims to ensure equitable water access and that the basic human needs of current and future generations are met

• International agreements:

  • Transboundary water management requires cooperation between countries

    • For example, the Nile Basin Initiative involves multiple countries working together to manage the Nile River’s resources.

• Conflict and stability:

  • Political instability and conflicts can disrupt water supplies

Geographical factors

• Geographic location:

  • Some regions naturally contain abundant freshwater resources due to factors such as proximity to large rivers, lakes, or high rainfall

  • Others, like arid and semi-arid regions, naturally have limited water availability

• Climate:

  • Areas with high levels of precipitation, such as tropical rainforests or coastal regions, generally have better access to fresh water compared to arid or desert regions with low rainfall

• Topography:

  • Mountainous regions often have better access to fresh water

  • This is due to higher precipitation rates and the presence of glaciers and snowpack that act as natural reservoirs

  • Conversely, flat or low-lying areas may face challenges in water availability