Water transfers- a quick fix? Receiving areaSource area

Video: China’s Parched North Water crisis What has led to some of China’s water scarcity problems? Examples of existing schemesProposed schemes International Lesotho to South Africa: Lesotho Highlands Water Project Turkey to Israel by tanker National: Snowy Mountains- Australia Melamchi Nepal Tagus-Mercia Spain International Turkey to Israel undersea pipelines Austrian Alps to Spain + Greece by pipeline National: South-North transfer- China Ebro -Spain Ob to the Aral Sea NAWAPA Alaska to California Major Water Transfer Schemes

Beijing Tianjin Eastern Route 1,155km long diversion Central routes 1267 km diversion. May have to use some water from 3 Gorges reservoir to help Western Routes Work starts 2010, at high altitude, very difficult 500kms at m above sea level Demand from industrial centres, high population density and intensive agriculture. Low rainfall and over abstracted groundwater: physical scarcity Industrial growth along routeways will exacerbate existing pollution problems Changes in water balances: reduced water in Yangtze means less dilution and more pollution Displaced people especially from Dang Jiang Kou dam Yellow River Yangtze River South China Sea CHINA Shanghai 0 mls 250 Mega Tech Fixes: China’s South–North water transfer Originally planned 1952, started 2002, due to finish Chief player: Government sponsored ‘South to North Water Transfer Project Company, with each province having a local water company. Involves huge civil engineering works, 3 major canals, pipelines, tunnels, pumping stations One of the largest water transfers globally. Aim: to divert 45bn m3/year from the water surplus river basins of the S and E to the water deficit areas of the North, especially Beijing and Tianjin

China: the North/South water divide Video: China’s parched north VIDEO: Great Chinese Drought continuing – What are some of the causes and consequences of the drought problems in Northern China mentioned in the report?

 Local water resources are intensively exploited 70% of land surface in Spain semi-arid climate zone Recurring droughts Strong seasonal variability of rainfall Agriculture Tourism  The explansion of water supply by construction of dams has come to an end 1,300 dams in Spain Spain is the country with the 4th largest number of dams  Some aquifers are overexploited  Climate change will further lower the natural supply of water  Low water prices hold back the development of unconventional supply sources Water Management Spain Case Study

The Colorado River: A Case Study Video: The Colorado: a river in peril? 0’52 Video: Colorado River: America’s Most Endangered River 2013

The Colorado River Most endangered river in the U.S. – Most dams, – supplies the largest portion of the population – Irrigates the most crops Increasing water supply problems in California – Climate change Less run-off from melted snowcaps – Longer and more severe droughts – Population growth Mostly in arid south Immigrant populations looking for farm work – Infrastructure Ageing pumps and aqueducts = environmental havoc – Region contains richest farmland in the country Major food supplier of the U.S. Agriculture Accounts for % of employment

Colorado River Basin

Human influences on water supply and scarcity Humans affect the hydrological cycle at many points of flows and storage:

In developing countries, 70% of industrial wastes are dumped untreated into waters where they pollute the usable water supply. Source:World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP)

Water Security: a definition “T he capacity of a population to safeguard sustainable access to adequate quantities of acceptable quality water for sustaining livelihoods, human well-being, and socio-economic development, for ensuring protection against water-borne pollution and water- related disasters, and for preserving ecosystems in a climate of peace and political stability.”

The risks of water insecurity What are the potential implications of an increasingly ‘water insecure’ world? Water supply problems Increasing water shortages may be more important than energy shortages- because there is no alternative! Water conflicts Where demand exceeds supply and no effective management operates, then there will be conflicts between the various players involved Water geopolitics The conflicts between nation states, despite the international agreement called the Helsinki Rules designed to create more equitable use of water extending across boundaries Water transfers Of this precious resource by either diverting the actual river, or using canals. Long carried out at a small scale but increasingly over larger distances, and even transboundary

NPR : Water the Epic Struggle Water Scarcity

A Delicate Balance WaterFoodEnergy Energy is needed to clean and transport water Water is needed to generate energy Water is needed to grow food Food transports (virtual) water Energy is needed to produce food Food can be used to produce energy

Synopticity-Water-Energy Energy and Water: Solving Both Crises Together: Water and energy are the two most fundamental ingredients of modern civilization We consume massive quantities of water to generate energy, and we consume massive quantities of energy to deliver clean water There are tensions between the two: An issue in energy rich states,which are semi arid/arid: to sell cheap oil or keep to power desalinisation plants Water is needed to generate energy. Energy is needed to deliver water. Both resources are limiting the other—and both may be running short. Is there a way out? water restrictions are hampering solutions for generating more energy energy problems, particularly rising prices, are curtailing efforts to supply more clean water.

Reading Homework EU spotlight turns on Spain Spain suffers worst drought Water Diplomacy in the Middle East