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Chapter Four- WATER AND ITS MANAGEMENT
• Ocean cover 71% of the earth
surface.
• Ocean and sea contain 97% of all
the earth’s water.
• Only 3% of water on earth is
freshwater.
• Nearly two third (65%) of this 3%
freshwater is in the glaciers in
the ice sheets.
THE WATER CYCLE
• Evaporation: The process in which liquid water turns into vapour.
• Transpiration: The movement of water up plants and its subsequent loss as water
vapour from their leaves.
• Condensation: The process in which water vapour turns into liquid water.
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• Precipitation: The process in which liquid water (as rain) or ice particles (as snow or
hail) fall to Earth due to gravity.
• Interception: the process by which precipitation is stopped from reaching the
ground by the presence of trees and other
plants.
• Infiltration: The process by which water
seeps into the ground.
• Groundwater flow: The process by which
infiltrated water flows through rocks.
• Through flow: The process by which
infiltrated water flows through soil.
• Surface run-off: The process by which
water runs over the ground into river.
WATER SUPPLY (THE MAIN SOURCES OF FRESHWATER FOR HUMAN USE)
1. Surface water: Water in lakes, rivers and swamps.
2. Ground water: Water in the soil, and in rocks under the surface of the ground.
• Aquifer: Water stored in porous rocks under the ground. Example, well (a hole
bored ordug into rock to reach the water stored in them).
3. Desalination (water from sea): Remover of salt from a seawater. Two processes can be
used to make salt water potable (safe to drink).
i. Distillation: The purification of a liquid by boiling a solution so that the liquid
evaporates and the freshwater can be collected when it condenses at a lower
temperature. Energy is needed for distillation. Desalination plants using this method
are mainly found in energy(oil)-rich countries, such as those of the middle East.
ii. Reverse Osmosis: It is the purification of water by pumping it at high pressure
through a fine membrane. It requires lesser energy than distillation.
4. Buying water from neighbouring countries.
5. Ice caps and glaciers (but this is limited and require energy).
WATER USAGE
DOMESTIC INDUSTRIAL AGRICULTURE
At home for drinking and In factory for: cooling, mixing Mainly for irrigation (plants
cooking and making products such as need water for
dyes photosynthesis).
Washing, gardening, flushing Bottling, canning and power For domestic animals.
etc. generation
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WATER QUALITY AND AVAILABILITY
• Water-rich countries: countries with plentiful freshwater supplies. Some large countries
with plenty land for rain to fall on e.g. Russia, Canada, China, and some with world’s
greatest river flowing through them e.g. Amazon.
However, big area does not ensure water availability e.g. Australia, Sudan, due to containing
substantial area of desert within its borders.
• Water poor countries: countries with scarce freshwater supplies. They are dominated
by desert countries, except Singapore and Mauritius since they receive high
precipitation totals, but are tiny island states that have only small areas for rain to fall
on.
• Water conflict: Conflict between countries, states, or group over an access to water
resources.
• Physical water scarcity: Not enough water to meet both human demands and those of
ecosystems to function effectively.
• Economic water scarcity: Caused by a lack of investment in water infrastructure or
insufficient human capacity to satisfy the demand of water in areas where the
population cannot afford to use an adequate source of water.
WHY URBAN AREAS HAVE HIGHER ACCESS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER THAN RURAL AREAS
o Cities are more wealthy places with factories and offices.
o On average, people’s incomes are higher.
o Easier to put pressure on the politicians or leaders to make improvements.
o Wealthy people are more likely to live in the city.
o Water pipes are easier and cheaper to build when a lot of people live close
together.
MULTIPURPOSE DAM PROJECT
A dam is a barrier that stops or restrict the flow of water or underground stream.
Choice of site/location
• High precipitation to provide sufficient water
• Low temperature to prevent evaporation.
• Built on strong impermeable rock so water doesn’t drain and has a good foundation.
• Built high up in order to have good potential for hydro-electric power.
• River and lakes nearby to provide water.
• Away from developed areas to reduce the risk of pollution in reservoirs
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ADVANTAGES OF DAM DISADVANTAGES OF DAM
Generation of electricity in hydro-electric Disrupting the life cycles of fish and other
power plants. aquatic organism.
Flood control Causes flood
Irrigation Very expensive to build
Provision of water Altering water supply for people downstream
of dam
Creation of habitat for wetland species Relocating of people
Creates recreation land for tourism and Reducing soil enrichment downstream of the
leisure. dam.
Renewable source of energy which doesn’t Dam may become redundant due to
produce greenhouse gases. sediment build up.
Sustainability of dams:
• If properly maintained, it is an alternative for burning of fossil fuels as no
greenhouse gases are [Link] of dams:
• Reservoir can become silted due to material carried into it by rivers.
• Dam structure under a lot of pressure can deteriorate and eventually fail.
• Have negative effects on the environment and fish population.
WATER POLLUTION AND ITS CAUSES
❖ Sewage: Waste matter that is rich in organic matter, thus microbial organism can thrive
in it. It is usually disposed in water bodies, and thus has to be treated.
There are three main sources of water pollution;
1. Domestic waste: Sewage from rural and urban settlement carry many pathogenic
microorganisms, increasing the content of nitrate and phosphate in rivers. Examples
detergents, metals, oil, etc.
2. Industrial processes: Use of chemicals, the processing of metal ores, and leaching of
metals from waste heaps and dumps can cause the presence of metals in rivers
(examples, Manganese, mercury, copper).
3. Agricultural practices: Surpluses of phosphorous and nitrogen not absorbed by the
plants are washed from the land or percolate into the ground water. On farm, animal
manure, synthetic fertilizer, and chemical pesticides are main sources.
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IMPACT OF WATER POLLUTION
• Global inequalities in sewage and water treatment: Developing countries have
difficulty treating water and sewage compared to developed countries as people aren’t
educated and can’t put pressure on the government.
• Risk of infectious bacterial diseases, typhoid and cholera: Water-borne diseases are
caused by drinking contaminated water.
• Accumulation of toxic substance from industrial processes in lakes and rivers: Reduces
oxygen in lakes and rivers, causing reduction in photosynthesis and death of fish and
other aquatic organism.
o Bioaccumulation: Building up of toxic chemical in the body of an organism. This
occurs when organisms absorb toxic ions and retain them in their body, reaching
concentration higher than that in water. This can lead to the death of aquatic
organisms
• Formation of acid rain: When fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, are burned, the gases
sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) are produced. They enter the atmosphere.
These gases react with water in the atmosphere to form acid. SO2 dissolve in water in
cloud; producing sulfuric acid, and NOx produce nitric acid. When its rain, these acids fall
to the ground. These gases can be blown from one country to another bywind,
therefore, countries need to work together to solve the problem of acid rain.
• The effect of acid rain on organism in rivers and lakes:
o Lower pH makes the environment intolerable for aquatic life.
o Fish egg-laying is reduced, and young fish are malformed.
o Leaching of heavy metals such as aluminum, lead and mercury from soil to water.
o Aluminum clogs fish gills and causes suffocation.
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o Minerals essential for life, notably calcium and potassium, are washed out of the
lake or river, reducing algae growth and leaving less food for fish and other animals.
• Nutrient enrichment leading to Eutrophication
Nutrients such as nitrate and phosphate can enter water from farmland, industries and
domestic. These nutrients cause rapid growth of algae called algae bloom. When the algae
die, organic matter in the water increases. This act as food for bacteria, as they decompose
the dead algae. The bacteria use up oxygen during this process of feeding, reducing the
oxygen content in the water and causing the death of fish and other organisms.
A Overuse of Nitrate and phosphate from fertiliser
B Excess fertiliser runs off into rivers
C Nutrient enrichment causes Algal bloom
D Sunlight blocked reducing photosynthesis
E Algae and aquatic plants die
F Decomposers use up oxygen
G Fish and other organisms die
MANAGING POLLUTION OF FRESHWATER
1. Sewage treatment: Sewage should be treated before been disposed of, because it is
rich in organic matter and so microbial organism can thrive in it. The aim is to reduce
the biological oxygen demand (BOD) of the sewage. The BOD of sewage is the amount
of oxygen it would use up if released directly into the river or lake.
Sewage treatment is achieved through the use of sewage treatment plant, which uses
different process in order to remove the organic matter before been released into the
water bodies.
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2. Improve Sanitation:
An improved sanitation facility is defined as one that separate human excreta from
contact with human. Waste can be removed by;
o Connection to a system of sewer pipes or sewerage, that collects human faeces,
urine and waste water.
o Connection to a septic system, which consists of an underground, sealed settling
tank.
o Flush toilet: Uses a holding tank for flushing water, and water seal that prevent
smells.
o Pour toilet: Has a water seal but uses water poured by hand flushing.
3. Pollution control and legislation: This puts pressure on polluters to find a way to reduce
pollutants.
o Industries are required to monitor the pollution they cause and keep it within a
set level.
o Fines for exceeding set limits.
o Companies may be prosecuted and in extreme cases, forced to shut down
o Companies may need government agreement on strategic plans to reduce pollution level
o Incentives may be used to encourage companies to take part, such as grant
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MANAGING WATER-RELATED DISEASES
➢ Water-borne disease: These are diseases spread by consuming contaminated water due
dirty water. Examples: Cholera and typhoid.
Cholera is an intestinal infection that causes severe diarrhea that may lead to dehydration and
eventually death.
Strategies to control cholera and typhoid
• Thorough cooking of food
• Drink and use safe water.
• Hands should be washed after contact with any faecal materials.
• Boiling and chlorination of water
• Ensure that sewage and drinking water are kept separate.
➢ Water-bred disease: The carrier breeds in water and spread the disease by biting its
victims. Example, Malaria.
Malaria is a life-threatening disease which is transmitted through the bite of an infected
female anopheles mosquito (which is the Vector) that carries the plasmodium parasite.
Once bitten, the parasite reaches the bloodstream. Symptoms of malaria include; High
temperature, and fever, diarrhea, dehydration, and feeling weak.
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• Life cycle of malaria parasite:
PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF MALARIA
• Avoid being outside between dusk and dawn in countries where malaria is active.
The Anopheles mosquito that transmits malaria only flies at night.
• Wearing clothing that covers most of the body and treat exposed part of the body
with mosquito-repellant product.
• Sleeping under a mosquito net treated with insecticide.
• Spraying the inside of accommodation with insecticide.
• Draining wetland areas in order to remove mosquito-breeding sites.
• Introduce fish, which eat the larvae and pupae of the mosquito, into ponds and
other bodies of water.
• Pouring oil onto the surface of the water where mosquito breed, which stop the
larvae from breathing and stop the adults from laying eggs.