An overview of resources in relation to the UK:

Water:

1) The changing demand for water

People in the UK use a lot of water, they use on average of 175 litres of water per day. This contrasts to just 83 litres in Bangladesh. Only 4% of the drinkable water in the UK is actually drunk. The rest is used for other uses such as toilet flushing, washing clothes, or cleansing. The demands on our water in the UK have also gone up by 70% since 1985.

a) Read page 314 and list the reasons why water use has increased.

2) Matching supply and demand – areas of deficit and surplus

The UK is highly variable in terms of water supply and demand. A lot of the rainfall received by the UK falls in the North and West, whereas most people live in the South East. This means that the North and West of the British Isles are WATER SURPLUS (areas that have more water than is needed by the population) areas, whilst the south east is a water DEFICIT area (where demand can exceed supply).
The North and the West receive more rainfall because the bulk of our weather comes from the South West with our prevailing wind. This brings moist air because the air is warm and has travelled a long way over the Atlantic Ocean. The wet areas also coincide with our highland areas, as the wet incoming air is forced to rise over these hills, and as it does so it cools, condenses and forms clouds and then rain.

Population Density (number of people per km2) / Region
Very High / 11
High / 12, 7, 4
Medium / 10, 9, 8, 5, 3
Low / 6, 1

a) Complete the choropleth map of population density in the UK

b) Study your population map and the map of rainfall below to show the mis-match between supply and demand for water in the UK.

c) Compare the distribution shown on the two maps.

d) Complete the Geographical skills questions on page 315.

3) The need to transfer to maintain supplies

To combat the issues of water supply, there are several water transfer schemes to move water from areas of surplus to areas of demand. Water transfer schemes include systems of canals, pipes and river transfers over long distances to transport water from one river basin to another. More large-scale transfers have been planned to meet future demands but are controversial.

a)What are the opportunities and challenges of transferring water by pipeline or river transfer? (see page 315)

b)Water supply can be increased by reservoir construction for example Rutland water provides water for much of the east Midlands. (find out where it is!)

c)Colour code the opportunities and challenges of this reservoir.

Two villages were demolished to create the reservoir / Schools use the reservoir for educational visits
Many jobs have been created in the building and maintenance of the reservoir and to run the nature reserve and recreational facilities. / Rutland water is a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) – an area where wildlife is protected
There are lots of activities to get involved in now the reservoir has been built – e.g. sailing, birdwatching and cycling / the construction of Rutland Water has resulted in the creation of extensive nature reserves which are attracting a number of endangered species, particularly the osprey. In fact it has provided one of the most important wild fowl sanctuaries in Great Britain
The reservoir is a popular tourist attraction because of its wildlife and recreational facilities / The hamlet of Nether Hambleton was a small community of houses and farms at the western end of the south arm of the proposed
reservoir.
Around 6km2 of land was flooded to create the reservoir / Archaeological investigations, both before and during the construction of the reservoir, revealed evidence of Roman farmsteads Sites of Iron Age hut circles, Saxon houses and
cemeteries, and medieval dwellings and barns were also found
Some farmers lost their livelihoods as they had to give up their land – the fertile land had been farmed for thousands of years / A variety of habitats are found around the reservoir e.g .marshes, mudflats and lagoons – this means lots of different organisms live there

c) How else can water demand be met – consider how demand can be reduced?

Can’t think? – try this:

4) Water quality and pollution management

a) Read pages 316-317.

b) Study fig 22.9 Explain how industry, farming, transport and human behaviour can cause water pollution and describe their effects by completing a copy of this table:

Source of pollution / Description / Effect
Industry
Farming
Transport
Behaviour

c) Managing water quality - Activity 2 page 317. Discuss your chosen scheme with members of the class.