Water Wars (AQA A Level Geography)

The search for a sustainable water supply can lead to conflict between groups

Conflicts over water can arise when:

• There are too many users for available supplies

• There is an unequal allocation of what is available

• Water is diverted upstream by a neighbouring country

• Water is contaminated by upstream users

These conflicts can occur at a variety of scales

• Small scale or local

• Medium scale or national

• Large scale or international

An example of conflict at a local scale is in Peru’s Ica Valley 

Asparagus was a delicacy that was only available in late spring, now, it is available all year round

The Ica valley is in the dry, coastal region of Peru, and is one of the few places in the world, where high-quality asparagus can grow all year round

With support from the USA and the World Bank, Peru started commercial growing in mid 1990s 

In 2021 exports of asparagus brought in US$560 million, supports over 10,000 jobs within the industry and provides a much needed boost to the local economy

But asparagus takes a lot of water to grow and now the Ica’s aquifer is dangerously low

• 317 million cubic meters of water is needed from the aquifer to grow the exported asparagus

• Top importers of asparagus are:

  •  USA 790000 tonnes - their water footprint is 93 million m³ (equivalent to 37,2000 Olympic-size pools)
    

  • Netherlands 78000 tonnes
    

  • UK 8000 tonnes
    

The rate of abstraction for large-scale commercial agricultural purposes is exceeding domestic and industrial use

Many local people are suffering a lack of accessible water, with commercial farmers diverting aquifer flow to their farms 

Two wells used by 18,000 people have completely dried up

Agriculture in Peru consumes 50% of all water abstraction, with very little for small scale farming

Local farmers are reduced to 10 litres per person per day, despite the WHO recommendation of 50 litres a day to remain healthy

However, in other areas, reductions in farming and industry has led to excess groundwater levels, causing increased spring and river flows, leading to:

• Surface flooding and saturation of agricultural land

• Flooding of basements and underground tunnels 

• Increased chemical weathering of building foundations

These spatial inequalities fuel resentment, conflict and unrest and a World Bank executive investigating water shortage complaints, was shot at by an angry local farmer  

In California, USA, there are conflicts over water between various stakeholders:

• Environmentalists

• Farmers

• Residents

• Users in the north vs the south

• Native American groups

Demand for water in California exceeds natural supplies

Increased demand for water due to population growth and climate change, has intensified the competition for water

There is also spatial imbalance in the region:

• 75% of the population live in South but

• 75% of the precipitation falls in the North

The south of the region has experienced several recent sustained droughts

• High pressure systems over the western Pacific ocean block incoming storms

80% of water in the region is used as irrigation for agriculture

The conflict is based around the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, a critical water hub in California

• The delta serves as a major source of freshwater for agricultural irrigation and drinking water for millions of people

• Environmentalists are concerned over the fate of the delta

• Disputes arise over how much water should be diverted from the delta for agricultural use versus being allocated to maintain the health of the ecosystem and protect endangered species

There have been further disputes over ‘water rights’

• The longstanding legal rights of Native American Tribes to ground and river water have been disputed

• These conflicts often stem from historical injustices

  • The loss of ancestral lands and water resources due to colonisation

  • The construction of dams and reservoirs

California has implemented various measures to address the conflict

• California State Water Project and the Central Valley Project established

  • Aims to manage and distribute water across the state

• Implementation of water conservation programs and groundwater management laws

• Promotion of water-efficient practices

11 states share the Nile Basin which has led to conflict over its use

Each country is growing economically and demographically, putting more pressure on water resources

Various agreements have been put in place to manage supplies