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Pre-release Resources Booklet (Geographical Applications) (Figure 1 -…
Pre-release Resources Booklet (Geographical Applications)
Figure 1 - Water in the United Kingdom
Rainfall in the UK
There is more rainfall in the west / north-west than the south / south-east.
This is because the mountains (or highland areas) in the west cause the rain to fall before reaching the east, creating an effect called rain shadow.
The UK has less rainfall per person than most of the rest of northern Europe.
South-westerly prevailing wind.
Water Usage and Stress in the UK
Due to hidden water uses (growing food etc.) each UK citizen actually uses - indirectly - up to 3,400L per day.
South-east of the UK has by far the highest level of water stress in the whole country.
This is because the south-east has the highest population density of any equivalent area in the country, alongside the lowest supply (500-749mm of rain per year).
One impact of high water stress is regular hosepipe bans.
This can lead to poorly watered crops, leading to those crops dying.
This leads to either starvation or a larger volume of imports, which will lead to economic difficulties.
Key term for situation in the south is the
discrepancy
between supply and demand.
The average UK citizen uses 150L of water per day and this has been increasing by 1% every year since 1930.
Preparations for The Future
Drought Preparation
It is expected that - between 2005 and 2030 - there will be a 14.3% increase in the south-east's water usage; from 4.9bln litres/day to 5.6bln litres/day.
This will mean a far higher demand while supply is constantly dwindling.
Water companies plan for worst drought in 100 years with an extra month added on. This is because the droughts will be getting worse as climate change progresses.
Reducing the Demand on the System
There are three ways that water demand management is going to be dictated.
Non-household demand is expected to increase by 200mln litres/day between 2005 and 2030.
Household demand is expected to increase by 16mln litres/day (from 164 to 180mln) from 2005 to 2030.
Leakage will fall by 25% by 2030.
One way in which water demand can be reduced is through the usage of new technology.
New materials for pipes so that there are fewer cracks and leakages. This will reduce the amount of wasted water.
New ways of efficiently fixing leaks (e.g. sensor systems on pipe networks to work out where a leak has occurred).
Better household appliances which use / waste less water.
Water Management Schemes
These fall into two categories in the UK - water storage and water transfer.
Water Storage Projects
Dams and reservoirs.
Destroy massive areas of habitats.
If used correctly can generate masses of other habitats.
Can generate large sustainable income from tourism.
Activities and areas around can benefit locals (sailing, walking, bird-watching, etc.)
Are extremely expensive and can be a flood risk (defences are an eyesore).
Water Transfer Projects
Canals and pipelines.
Majoritively from the north and west to the south-east.
Will allow water companies in water rich areas to sell the excess water to other neighbouring areas to alleviate some of the water stress.
These may have large impacts on the environment and the wildlife nearby.
A huge drawback is the cost as much of the water will need to be pumped at some point or another.
Alien species transferred from other ecosystems can disrupt the one they are transferred to.
Needed as the last few summers have left crops dying in certain areas of the UK (mainly the south-east).
There are also water recycling schemes to reduce waste water disposed of in sewage or commercial waste.
As an alternative to both of these, we could use desalination.
Figure 2 - Managing Water Demand
Figure 3 - A New Reservoir in Oxfordshire?
Conclusion - Should it be Built or Not?