Increasing water supply

• What is the main purpose of diverting water supplies and increasing storage?

  To increase water supply from areas of surplus to areas of deficit
• How does releasing water from reservoirs into rivers help during low river levels?

  It increases the water supply in rivers that are experiencing low levels
• What are the negative impacts of diverting water supplies?


  Loss of farmlands and disruption of river ecosystems
• How do dams increase water supply?

  By controlling river flow and storing water upstream in a reservoir
• What are the benefits of storing water in a dam?


  It provides a store of water and protection from flooding
• What are the drawbacks of building dams?

  They are expensive and can be bad for the environment
• How does desalination increase water supply?


  By forcing seawater through special filters that trap salt and impurities
• What are the downsides of desalination?


  It is expensive and produces carbon emissions
• What is an example of a large-scale water transfer scheme?


  The South North Water Diversion Project in China
• What is the purpose of the South North Water Diversion Project?


  To transfer water from the south, which has high rainfall, to the north, which has high population density
• What are the advantages of the South North Water Diversion Project?


  It provides a more reliable water source for the northern half of China and improves water supply for agriculture and industry
• How does the South North Water Diversion Project affect agriculture?

  It improves crop yields and productivity
• What are the disadvantages of the South North Water Diversion Project?

  It required the relocation of 330,000 people and disrupted wildlife
• What recent environmental issue has affected parts of the south in China?

  Recent droughts have led to failed harvests and lack of drinking water