Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2024
First exams 2026
Addressing Water Scarcity (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))
Revision Note
Written by: Alistair Marjot
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Addressing Water Scarcity
Water is unevenly distributed around the globe
There are significant areas of water surplus and water deficit
Around 450 million people in LICs suffer from severe water shortages
Around 1.2 billion live in areas of water scarcity
Physical water scarcity occurs where demand for water outstrips supply, often due to arid climate and low rainfall
Economic water scarcity is where water is available but people can’t afford it or the infrastructure is inadequate
Water conservation techniques
Domestic Water Conservation Techniques
Technique | Description |
|---|---|
Metering | Install water metres to monitor and control water usage accurately It helps households track their consumption |
Rationing | Set limits on water usage per household This can involve implementing quotas or tariffs based on usage levels |
Grey-water Recycling | Capture and treat greywater for reuse in non-potable applications like toilet flushing or outdoor irrigation |
Low-flush Toilets | Install toilets with low-flow mechanisms to reduce water usage per flush |
Rainwater Harvesting | Collect and store rainwater for tasks such as watering gardens or washing vehicles. |
Industrial Water Conservation Techniques (Food Production Systems)
Technique | Description |
|---|---|
Greenhouses | Use greenhouses equipped with large-scale rainwater harvesting systems to irrigate the crops grown inside) |
Aquaponics Systems | Integrated aquaponics systems combine fish farming with hydroponic plant cultivation These closed-loop systems recycle water between fish tanks and plant beds, reducing overall water consumption |
Drip Irrigation | Install agricultural drip irrigation systems to deliver water directly to the roots of crop plants, minimising evaporation and surface run-off |
Drought-resistant Crops | Develop and cultivate crops that are resilient to drought conditions These crops require less water to grow and are suited for arid regions |
Switching to Vegetarian Food Production | Transition to plant-based agriculture to reduce the significant water usage associated with livestock farming |
Case Study
Mitigation Strategies for Water Scarcity
Country Case Study: Australia
Some parts of Australia face water scarcity challenges due to the arid climate and variable rainfall
To address these issues, the country has implemented a range of innovative water management strategies, including:
Water pricing mechanisms
Tiered water pricing: Australia uses a tiered pricing structure where the cost of water increases with higher usage levels
This approach incentivises households and businesses to conserve water
Water trading: in regions like the Murray-Darling Basin, water trading allows users to buy and sell water allocations
This market-based approach helps allocate water more efficiently, especially during drought periods
Desalination plants
Sydney Desalination Plant: Sydney's only major source of non-rainfall dependent drinking water
This plant can supply up to 15% of Sydney's drinking water, providing a reliable water source during droughts
It uses reverse osmosis to remove salt and impurities from seawater, ensuring a continuous supply of fresh water
Perth Desalination Plant: one of the largest desalination plants in the Southern Hemisphere
It meets about half of Perth's water needs
This demonstrates the effectiveness of desalination in supplementing traditional water sources
Water recycling programmes
Purple pipe systems: in some cities, recycled water is delivered through a separate "purple pipe" system for non-potable uses
This includes irrigation, industrial processes and toilet flushing
This reduces the demand on potable water supplies
Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme: this project in Queensland treats and purifies wastewater to a standard suitable for industrial use
In times of need, it can also supplement drinking water supplies
Crop selection and rotation
Drought-resistant crops: farmers are encouraged to grow crops like sorghum and millet
These require less water and are more resilient to dry conditions
Research institutions, such as the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), are developing new varieties of drought-tolerant crops
Sustainable farming practices: using crop rotation and conservation tillage helps maintain soil moisture and reduce water usage
For example, rotating legumes with cereals can improve soil fertility and reduce the amount of irrigation required
Community awareness and education
Water conservation campaigns: public awareness campaigns, such as "Target 155" in Victoria, encourage residents to limit their water use to 155 litres per person per day
These campaigns educate the public on water-saving techniques and the importance of water conservation
School education programmes: schools incorporate water conservation into their curricula, teaching students about sustainable water use and the importance of preserving this vital resource
These strategies illustrate Australia's comprehensive approach to managing water scarcity through a combination of technological innovation, economic incentives and public education
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Although you do not need to learn this whole case study, you do need to be able to give a few named examples of how different countries or societies are using specific management strategies to address water scarcity.
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