Topic 4: Sustainable management of Water
1a. Domestic use of water refers to the water used for daily life processes.
1b. Water is used significantly more in Norway as compared to Sudan. In Norway, 180 litres of water
are used daily per person. Majority of the water is used for washing, toilet and other domestic uses.
Whereas in Sudan, 50 litres of water are used per person daily in Sudan. The uses of water are rather
evenly well-spread out across various domains.
1c. As Sudan is a less economically developed country in Africa as compared to Norway, a more
economically developed country in Europe, the people in Sudan are significantly poorer as compared
to people in Norway. In Sudan, access to water is rare while in Norway, there is an abundance of
water. As a result of the above factors, the people in Sudan are relatively more frugal with water.
Water is expensive in Sudan and people have to conserve it due to the shortage and high costs.
2a. 20% was used for economic activities globally.
2b. For industrial usage, the industrial usage of water in high income countries is significantly higher
than that of low-income countries. 60% of the total water usage in high-income countries comes
from industrial usage while 10% of the total water usage in low-income countries comes from
industrial usage.
For agricultural usage, the agricultural usage of water in high-income countries is significantly lesser
than that of low-income countries. 30% of the total water usage in high-income countries comes
from agricultural usage while 80% of the total water usage in low-income countries comes from
agricultural usage.
For domestic usage, the domestic usage of water in high-income countries is the same compared to
the domestic usage of water in lower-income countries. In both high and low-income countries, 10%
of the total water usage in each region comes from domestic usage.
3. When pesticides from farms or toxic chemicals from factories are heartlessly dumped into the
river, the water is contaminated severely. The contaminated water then follows the current and flows
downstream into the lake which is home to an abundance of aquatic life. The contaminated water
which aquatic life live in will eventually cause the aquatic life to die, after unknowingly consuming
these harmful chemicals, showing how man’s activities could be detrimental.
4a. Finland
4b. India
4c. When water shortage occurs, there is a lack of water for irrigation, watering of crops. This might
result in some crops dying due to the lack of water, decreasing the yield. Furthermore, developing
countries rely heavily on agriculture, thus with less crops, food might be scarce and the earnings
would significantly decrease.
4d. More water is used for industries in developed countries as compared to developing countries.
There are more industries in developed countries as compared to developing countries. Thus, more
water is used.
5ai. Decreasing the domestic water usage.
5aii. An advantage is that the domestic water usage would decrease, and more water can be
conserved, freeing up more water for other usages of water, like industrial and agricultural.
One disadvantage is that households who have a lot of family members in the same household, 130
litres is simply not enough to use.
5aiii. Yes. By imposing regulations like fining people who litter into the water bodies or for factories
which dump toxins into the water bodies, the people will be less likely to litter and contaminate the
water bodies. Thus, this method is sustainable for Singapore.
5b. The United States help to invest in water conservation methods for Mexico, repairing water leaks
and helping farmers use water-efficient technology. Water-efficient technologies help to reduce the
water needed for agricultural usage, freeing up more water for other uses of water. Mexico now has
a more than steady supply of usable water, and gives some to United States, now the United States
and Mexico both have a steady supply of water.
6a. A possible cause of floods in Settlement X could be the snowmelt. It was said that settlement X
had experienced a heavy winter season followed by an unusually warm spring season. This warm
spring season could have led to the ice melting at high rates, becoming after, overflowing the river,
resulting in a river flood.
Another possible cause could be the heavy rainfall. With the unusual warm spring season, the water
in the sea evaporates at a higher rate, and thus resulting in heavier clouds, and heavier rainfall.
6b. The population risk of the first to the tenth country, there is an overall decrease. From India to
Bangladesh, a sharp decrease is observed, from a whopping 35 to 40 million to 25 to 30 million. Then
from Bangladesh to Indonesia, a gradual decrease is observed, from 25 to 30 million to 20 to 25
million. From Indonesia to Philippines, a sharp decrease is observed, from 20 to 25 million to 10 to
15 million. From Philippines to Egypt there is a gradual decrease from 10 to 15 million to 5 to 10
million.