1. Water Scarcity And Quality IB SL

2. Look at the Water Scarcity W/S... 1.What is water scarcity? 2.Why does “water stress” exist and why? 3.What is the difference between Physical and Economic Water Scarcity?

3. Water Scarcity This is where water supplies are inadequate and affect LEDC’s: Physical Water Scarcity Where water consumption exceeds 60% of the usable supply. To help meet water needs, some countries import food and invest in desalinisation plants. Economic Water Scarcity Where a country physically has sufficient water resources to meet its needs but additional storage and transport facilities are required. This means countries need to embark on large expensive water development projects.

4. Water Quality Water needs to be of an adequate quality for consumption. The World Health Organisation (WJO) estimates that 4 million people die each year due to water related diseases (Malaria, Cholera, Hepatitis etc). The problem of drinking water and sanitation in LEDC’s is due to safety, affordability, and access.

5. Global Water Supply Urban areas are better served than rural areas. Many piped water systems do not meet water quality criteria e.g. Mexico=Bottled water. The price of water varies from place to place. Poor people seem to pay more for water than the rich e.g. Unconnected customers are forced to pay more from mobile vendors for their water.

6. Sanitation And Population Growth Fewer people have adequate sanitation than safe water. Adequate sanitation is increasing=Population growth and a reduction in health related diseases.