Chapter 14Chapter 14Water: A Limited ResourceWater: A Limited Resource

Importance of WaterImportance of Water

Cooking & washingCooking & washing AgricultureAgriculture ManufacturingManufacturing MiningMining Energy productionEnergy production Waste disposalWaste disposal Use of freshwater Use of freshwater

is increasingis increasing

Properties of WaterProperties of Water

H bonds

Distribution of Water on Distribution of Water on EarthEarth

Freshwater AquiferFreshwater Aquifer

WatershedWatershed A watershed is the area of land A watershed is the area of land

where all of the water that is under it where all of the water that is under it or drains off of it goes into the same or drains off of it goes into the same placeplace

Too Much WaterToo Much Water

FloodingFlooding Both natural and human-inducedBoth natural and human-induced

Modern floods are highly destructiveModern floods are highly destructive Humans have removed water-absorbing Humans have removed water-absorbing

plant cover from soil-drained wetlandsplant cover from soil-drained wetlands building on building on floodplainsfloodplains

Urban vs. Pre-Urban Urban vs. Pre-Urban FloodplainsFloodplains

Floods of Summer 2008Floods of Summer 2008

Too Little WaterToo Little Water

ProblemsProblems DroughtDrought Overdrawing water Overdrawing water

for irrigation for irrigation Aquifer depletionAquifer depletion

SubsidenceSubsidence SinkholesSinkholes

Too Little WaterToo Little Water

Problems (continued)Problems (continued) Saltwater IntrusionSaltwater Intrusion

Water Problems In US and Water Problems In US and CanadaCanada

US has a US has a plentiful plentiful supply of supply of freshwaterfreshwater

Many areas Many areas have a have a severe severe shortagesshortages

Water shortages in West and Water shortages in West and

SouthwestSouthwest

Water Problems In US and Water Problems In US and CanadaCanada

Water Problems in US and Water Problems in US and Canada- Surface WaterCanada- Surface Water

Mono Lake (Eastern CA)Mono Lake (Eastern CA)

Colorado River BasinColorado River Basin

Water Problems in US and Water Problems in US and Canada—GroundwaterCanada—Groundwater Aquifer DepletionAquifer Depletion

Global Water ProblemsGlobal Water Problems

Amount of freshwater on planet CAN Amount of freshwater on planet CAN meet human needsmeet human needs BUT, it is unevenly distributed BUT, it is unevenly distributed Problems:Problems:

Climate ChangeClimate Change Drinking WaterDrinking Water Population GrowthPopulation Growth Sharing Water Resources Among CountriesSharing Water Resources Among Countries

Global Water ProblemsGlobal Water Problems

Drinking Water ProblemsDrinking Water Problems Many developing countries have Many developing countries have

insufficient water to meet drinking and insufficient water to meet drinking and household needshousehold needs

Population GrowthPopulation Growth Increase in population means __________Increase in population means __________ Limits drinking water availableLimits drinking water available Limits water available for agriculture Limits water available for agriculture

(food)(food)

Sharing Water Resources Among Sharing Water Resources Among CountriesCountries Rhine River Basin Rhine River Basin

Potentially Volatile International Water Potentially Volatile International Water SituationsSituations Jordan RiverJordan River Nile RiverNile River

Global Water ProblemsGlobal Water Problems

Water ManagementWater Management

Main Goal: Provide sustainable Main Goal: Provide sustainable supply of high-quality watersupply of high-quality water1.1. Dams and ReservoirsDams and Reservoirs

2.2. Water Diversion ProjectsWater Diversion Projects

3.3. DesalinizationDesalinization

Dams and ReservoirsDams and Reservoirs

Benefits:Benefits: year-round supply year-round supply

of waterof water ElectricityElectricity Recreational Recreational

activitiesactivities DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Alter the ecosystemAlter the ecosystem Reduce sediment Reduce sediment

loadloadAmazon Watch

Dams and ReservoirsDams and Reservoirs

Glen Canyon DamGlen Canyon Dam Regulated flow has changed ecosystemRegulated flow has changed ecosystem

Dams and ReservoirsDams and Reservoirs

Water Diversion ProjectsWater Diversion Projects

Water ConservationWater Conservation

1.1. Reducing Agricultural Water WasteReducing Agricultural Water Waste

2.2. Reducing Industrial Water WasteReducing Industrial Water Waste

3.3. Reducing Municipal Water WasteReducing Municipal Water Waste