Factors Affecting Water Availability Flashcards

All 6 cards in this deck

How does climate affect water availability?

Areas with low or seasonal rainfall and high temperatures (high evaporation) have less water available.

How does geology affect water availability?

Permeable rocks store groundwater in aquifers, while impermeable rocks mean water runs off and cannot be stored underground.

What is over-abstraction of water?

Taking water from rivers or aquifers faster than it can be replenished, lowering the water table.

How does limited infrastructure reduce water supply?

Lack of pipes means water doesn't reach people, poor-quality pipes let water become contaminated, and rapid urbanisation outpaces the supply and sewerage network.

True or false? Poverty can cause water insecurity even where rainfall is plentiful.

True. A low GNI means a country cannot fund water supply infrastructure, especially in remote rural areas.

How does pollution of supply reduce water availability?

Rivers and groundwater contaminated by untreated sewage, industrial waste or farm chemicals are unsafe to use, so less clean water is available even where water itself is plentiful.