Water Scarcity - Concept Review

About two-thirds of the Earth's surface is covered with water. Why then is water considered a scarce resource?

(Select all relevant options.)

• Earth's freshwater is not evenly distributed.

• Only less than 1% of the Earth's water is liquid freshwater.

• Freshwater can be sourced from rivers and streams, lakes and reservoirs and aquifers.

• 25% freshwater supply is found as groundwater which can be difficult to withdraw.

Which of the following most accurately shows the distribution of freshwater withdrawals among the main users?

• Industrial (70%), Domestic (20%), Agriculture (10%)

• Industrial (20%), Domestic (10%), Agriculture (70%)

• Industrial (10%), Domestic (70%), Agriculture (30%)

• Industrial (10%), Domestic (20%), Agriculture (70%)

Water pollution occurs when harmful substances ___________ a body of water, degrading water quality.

Which one or more of the following is/are considered a non-point source pollution?

(Select all relevant options.)

• Industrial pipe spewing waste into a lake.

• Rubbish washed into a river via the sewage system.

• Nitrates used in plantations percolated into the aquifer.

• Waste from animals carried into a stream near a farm.

• Oil leaking from cargo boats plying a river.

Which of the following is the most suitable definition for 'water scarcity'?

• It is the inadequacy of water sources to supply a region’s demand due to causes such as aridity and droughts.

• It is driven by growing freshwater use and depletion of usable freshwater resources.

• It is the lack of sufficient water resources to meet the demands of water usage.

• It is the poor management of water resources due to causes such as increased demands and pollution.

Water scarcity may result from the interaction of both natural and human causes. Which of the following are human causes?

(Select all relevant options.)

• Aridity

• Desertification

• Drought

• Unequal access to water

• Water pollution

Which of the following water management strategies reduce demand on usable water?

(Select all relevant options.)

• Designing drainage systems to collect runoff efficiently.

• Redesigning irrigation system to give plants the exact amount of water they need.

• Use of crop strains and plants that are more resistant to dry conditions.

• Recycling used water to prolong the usability of water.

• Metering of water use at homes.

Which of the following water management strategies increase supply of usable water?

(Select all relevant options.)

• Governments should price water to reflect its scarcity and the real costs of its supply.

• Governments should collect and publish reliable data in water use.

• Converting salty water into drinkable water by removing salt and other solids from seawater.

• Transferring control and management of water from the public sector to the private sector.

• Stringent laws to punish acts of water pollution.