Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2015
Last exams 2025
Access to Fresh Water Issues
Written by: Alistair Marjot
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Access to Fresh Water
Access to fresh water around the world
Access to an adequate supply of freshwater varies widely across the globe due to a number of factors:
1. 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
2. Climate
Areas with high levels of precipitation, such as tropical rainforests or coastal regions, generally have better access to freshwater compared to arid or desert regions with low rainfall
3. Topography
Mountainous regions often have better access to freshwater 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
4. 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, leading to water scarcity
5. Water management and infrastructure
The presence of well-developed water management systems, including reservoirs, dams, canals, and pipelines, can enhance water availability and distribution
Conversely, inadequate infrastructure can limit access to freshwater, especially in rural or underdeveloped areas
6. Economic development
Wealthier nations often have greater financial resources to invest in water infrastructure and management, which can result in better access to freshwater
In contrast, poorer countries may lack the means to develop and maintain robust water systems
7. Political stability and governance
Political stability and effective governance play a vital role in water management and equitable distribution
Regions with political instability or weak governance may struggle to provide access to an adequate supply of freshwater for their populations
It's important to note that these factors are interconnected and can influence each other
The combination of multiple factors often contributes to the wide variation in access to an adequate supply of freshwater across the globe
Problems Facing Fresh Water Access
Access to freshwater is essential for human survival, agriculture, industrial activities, and maintaining healthy ecosystems
However, numerous challenges and problems threaten the availability and accessibility of freshwater resources worldwide
The key problems facing freshwater access include:
The impacts of climate change
Increasing population, irrigation and industrialisation
Contamination
Unsustainable abstraction
NASA, derivative work by Zafiroblue05 at en.wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Satellite images of the Aral Sea in Central Asia between 1989 and 2009 show a dramatic loss of water due to unsustainable abstraction
1. Climate change
Climate change can disrupt rainfall patterns, leading to increased variability and unpredictability in precipitation
This can result in more frequent and severe droughts and floods, impacting the availability of freshwater resources
Rising temperatures can accelerate evaporation rates, further reducing water availability in already water-stressed regions
Melting glaciers and reduced snowpack in mountainous areas can affect the timing and magnitude of water flow in rivers, potentially leading to water scarcity during dry seasons
Sea-level rise can lead to saltwater intrusion in coastal areas, contaminating freshwater sources and making them unsuitable for human consumption and agriculture
2. Access to fresh water in developing countries
The increasing global population, along with expanding agricultural practices and industrial activities, puts significant pressure on freshwater resources
As the population grows, so does the demand for food production, which often requires extensive irrigation
This further strains water supplies as large amounts of water are diverted for agricultural purposes
Industrialisation demands substantial water resources for manufacturing processes, energy production, and cooling purposes
The growth of industrial sectors intensifies competition for freshwater, particularly in water-stressed regions
3. Contamination
Freshwater supplies can become contaminated due to various human activities, including industrial discharges, agricultural runoff containing fertilisers and pesticides, and improper waste disposal
Pollution from industrial chemicals, heavy metals, and sewage can render water sources unsafe for consumption and harm ecosystems
Contamination of freshwater bodies, such as lakes and rivers, can make water treatment more challenging and costly, reducing the availability of clean and safe drinking water
4. Unsustainable abstraction
Unsustainable abstraction refers to the excessive withdrawal of water from freshwater sources without allowing sufficient time for replenishment
Over-extraction of groundwater through wells and boreholes can lead to declining water tables, depletion of aquifers, and land subsidence
In some regions, surface water bodies, such as rivers and lakes, are over-allocated for abstraction, leading to reduced flows and ecological degradation
Lack of proper regulation and monitoring of water abstraction practices can exacerbate water scarcity issues, particularly in areas with high water demand
These interconnected challenges create a complex web of issues that require comprehensive and integrated approaches to ensure sustainable access to freshwater for present and future generations
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